I collected some statistics from the fbi's website on violent crime rates (which ARE population compensated, crime rate defines number of crimes per 100,000 people) I also found that the Brady people seem to be into ranking states and giving them scores on their gun control laws (higher score means tighter gun laws and therefore "better" in the eyes of the Brady Campaign people). The Brady folks also compare them to other states which is what the rank means, note they do allow "ties" so that's why numbers repeat.
Anyway, quick summary the 7 "best" states according to the Brady folks all are in the top 25 in terms of violent crime, of the ten states with the LOWEST violent crime rates only one of them (Rhode Island) is considered a "good" state by the Brady folks.
Anyway, below is the data decide for yourself.
