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States with the most guns in 2012 (Photos).

The Daily Beast finds the most armed states in America.

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Paul J. Richards / AFP / Getty Images

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The Daily Beast finds the most armed states in America.

Seth Perlman / AP Photo

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents (Sept. 2010 – Feb. 2012): 78,703
Previous rank: 1st

Garry Jones / AP Photo

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 46,898
Previous rank: 2nd

Thomas Cooper / Getty Images

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 16,888
Previous rank: 3rd

Newscom

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 15,718
Previous rank: 6th

Bob Bird / AP Photo

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 14,616
Previous rank: 5th

Brian Adams, Rapport / Newscom

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,986
Previous rank: 4th

AP Photo

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,952
Previous rank: 8th

AP Photo

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 13,624
Previous rank: 7th

William Albert Allard, National Geographic / Getty Images

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,279
Previous rank: 12th

Paul J. Richards / AFP / Getty Images

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NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,150
Previous rank: 9th

AP Photo

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11. Alabama
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 11,070
Previous rank: 10th

12. Tennessee
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,889
Previous rank: 11th

13. New Hampshire
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,557
Previous rank: 16th

14. Idaho
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,261
Previous rank: 13th

15. Missouri
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,228
Previous rank: 15th

Seth Perlman / AP Photo

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16. Colorado
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,208
Previous rank: 14th

17. Mississippi
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 10,035
Previous rank: 17th

18. Illinois
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,831
Previous rank: 18th

19. Minnesota
NICS background checks per 100,000 residents: 9,730
Previous rank: 22nd

20. Louisiana
Population: 4,533,372
Previous rank: 21st

AP Photo

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