The share of American households owning at least one firearm has remained relatively steady since 1972, hovering between ** percent and ** percent. In 2024, about ** percent of U.S. households had at least one gun in their possession. Additional information on firearms in the United States Firearms command a higher degree of cultural significance in the United States than any other country in the world. Since the inclusion of the right to bear arms in the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, firearms have held symbolic power beyond their already obvious material power. Despite many Americans being proud gun-owners, a large movement exists within the country in opposition to the freedom afforded to those in possession of these potentially deadly weapons. Those opposed to current gun regulation have sourced their anger from the large number of deaths due to firearms in the country, as well as the high frequency of gun violence apparent in comparison to other developed countries. Furthermore, the United States has fallen victim to a number of mass shootings in the last two decades, most of which have raised questions over the ease at which a person can obtain a firearm. Although this movement holds a significant position in the public political discourse of the United States, meaningful change regarding the legislation dictating the ownership of firearms has not occurred. Critics have pointed to the influence possessed by the National Rifle Association through their lobbying of public officials. The National Rifle Association also lobbies for the interests of firearm manufacturing in the United States, which has continued to rise since a fall in the early 2000s.

According to a survey conducted in the United States in 2023, Americans aged 55 years old and above were more likely to personally own a gun than their counterparts in other age groups. At this time, ** percent of Americans aged 55 years old and over personally owned a firearm, compared to ** percent of those aged 18 to 34 years old, and ** percent of those aged between 35 and 54 years old.

According to a survey conducted in the United States in 2023, people with some college but no college degree were more likely to personally own a gun or live in a gun owning household. At this time, ** percent of Americans with some college personally owned a firearm, compared to ** percent of those with a high school degree or less and ** percent of college graduates.

Texas was the state with the highest number of registered weapons in the United States in 2024, with 1,136,732 firearms. Rhode Island, on the other hand, had the least, with 4,895 registered firearms. Gun laws in the United States Gun ownership in the U.S. is protected by the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, which allows citizens to own firearms and form a militia if necessary. Outside of the 2nd Amendment, gun laws in the U.S. vary from state to state, and gun owners are subject to the laws of the state they are currently in, not necessarily the state they live in. For example, if concealed carry is allowed in a gun owner’s state of residence but not in the state they are traveling in, the owner is subject to the law of the state they are traveling in. Civilian-owned firearms The United States is estimated to have the highest rate of civilian-owned firearms in the world, more than double that of Yemen, which has the second-highest gun ownership rate. Unfortunately, along with high gun ownership rates comes a higher number of homicides by firearm, which was about 13,529 homicides in 2023.

This study was undertaken to obtain information on the characteristics of gun ownership, gun-carrying practices, and weapons-related incidents in the United States -- specifically, gun use and other weapons used in self-defense against humans and animals. Data were gathered using a national random-digit-dial telephone survey. The respondents were comprised of 1,905 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and older living in the 50 United States. All interviews were completed between May 28 and July 2, 1996. The sample was designed to be a representative sample of households, not of individuals, so researchers did not interview more than one adult from each household. To start the interview, six qualifying questions were asked, dealing with (1) gun ownership, (2) gun-carrying practices, (3) gun display against the respondent, (4) gun use in self-defense against animals, (5) gun use in self-defense against people, and (6) other weapons used in self-defense. A "yes" response to a qualifying question led to a series of additional questions on the same topic as the qualifying question. Part 1, Survey Data, contains the coded data obtained during the interviews, and Part 2, Open-Ended-Verbatim Responses, consists of the answers to open-ended questions provided by the respondents. Information collected for Part 1 covers how many firearms were owned by household members, types of firearms owned (handguns, revolvers, pistols, fully automatic weapons, and assault weapons), whether the respondent personally owned a gun, reasons for owning a gun, type of gun carried, whether the gun was ever kept loaded, kept concealed, used for personal protection, or used for work, and whether the respondent had a permit to carry the gun. Additional questions focused on incidents in which a gun was displayed in a hostile manner against the respondent, including the number of times such an incident took place, the location of the event in which the gun was displayed against the respondent, whether the police were contacted, whether the individual displaying the gun was known to the respondent, whether the incident was a burglary, robbery, or other planned assault, and the number of shots fired during the incident. Variables concerning gun use by the respondent in self-defense against an animal include the number of times the respondent used a gun in this manner and whether the respondent was hunting at the time of the incident. Other variables in Part 1 deal with gun use in self-defense against people, such as the location of the event, if the other individual knew the respondent had a gun, the type of gun used, any injuries to the respondent or to the individual that required medical attention or hospitalization, whether the incident was reported to the police, whether there were any arrests, whether other weapons were used in self-defense, the type of other weapon used, location of the incident in which the other weapon was used, and whether the respondent was working as a police officer or security guard or was in the military at the time of the event. Demographic variables in Part 1 include the gender, race, age, household income, and type of community (city, suburb, or rural) in which the respondent lived. Open-ended questions asked during the interview comprise the variables in Part 2. Responses include descriptions of where the respondent was when he or she displayed a gun (in self-defense or otherwise), specific reasons why the respondent displayed a gun, how the other individual reacted when the respondent displayed the gun, how the individual knew the respondent had a gun, whether the police were contacted for specific self-defense events, and if not, why not.

In the United States in 2023, ** percent of Republicans reported that they owned at least one gun, and ** percent said that they lived in a household with a gun. In comparison, only ** percent of Democrats owned at least one gun, and ** percent lived in a gun household. Who are gun owners? In 2022, significantly more Democrats were in favor of limiting gun ownership in comparison to Republicans. On the other hand, more Republicans were in favor of protecting the right to own guns in comparison to Democrats. When examined by education level, respondents who said they only had some college, but no degree were the most likely to have said that there is at least one gun in their household. However, nearly a ******* of Americans over 18 years old said that they rarely carry a gun on their person. Republicans vs Democrats Debate The gun control debate in the United States has been a highly contested one. In light of frequent mass shootings, gun control laws have become the center of policy discussions. Democratic politicians tend to put significant emphasis on their gun control policies and are overall more in favor of stricter gun control laws and want more background checks for those who want to purchase a gun. However, Republicans tend to work in favor of gun rights.

According to a survey conducted in the United States in 2023, white respondents were more likely to either personally own a gun or live in a gun owning household than their non-white counterparts. During the survey, ** percent of white Americans reported that they personally owned a firearm, compared to ** percent of non-white respondents.

Introduction: Firearm legality and ownership have been contentious topics in American culture, due to the well-documented, yet preventable, health and safety risks. States vary in the amount of firearm ownership, as well as firearm mortality and injury rates. Objectives: The primary aim of this project is to compare two states, New Jersey and Texas, on the likelihood of firearm violence occurring to each state's citizens. The variables of gun ownership, firearm mortalities, and firearm injuries are compared and visualized to understand if living in one state is safer than living in the other. Methods: Data analysis focused on connecting and comparing the two states with variables pointing to firearm safety/danger. Line graphs compare the two states and firearm injuries and mortalities over a sixteen-year period as well as number of firearms per state. Scatterplots show a correlation, if any, between number of firearms and injuries/mortalities in the two states. Results: Texas had a consistently higher mortality rate by firearms (excluding suicides) for each year of the seventeen years. Texas also led in firearm injuries from the years 2000-2010, 2012, and 2014-2016, but not in 2011 and 2013. New Jersey consistently has a lower mortality rate (3.5 and under per 100,000) and lower gun ownership (.11 and under per household). Texas’ data has both a higher mortality rate (between 3.8 and 4.8 per 100,000) and a higher gun ownership rate (.34 to .40 per household). With a few exceptions from the years 2011 and 2013, the state data points are clustered to show the relationship between gun ownership and firearm injuries to be high/high for Texas and low/low for New Jersey. Conclusions: From the years 2000-2016 it is, on average, 20% less likely that one will be injured by a firearm and 30% less likely that one will be killed by a firearm if one were to live in New Jersey instead of Texas, causing the conclusion that it is safer to live in New Jersey than in Texas.

This dataset looks at age and juvenile offender status as a means of restricting the purchase and possession of firearms in the USA as of 12.31.2005. This data displays the minimum age you must be to purchase/possess a handgun or a long gun in every state in the USA. It also displays if a state restricts juvenile offenders from purchasing/possessing a firearm, handguns or long guns. Also provided in the data is the statute within the States legislation that states the firearm purchase/possession restriction. Handgun: A firearm that has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand, such as a pistol or revolver. Long gun: A firearm with a barrel extended to around 30 inches to improve accuracy and range, and commonly with a shoulder butt, designed to be fired with two hands, such as a rifle or shotgun. This data comes from Survey of State Procedures Related to Firearm Transfers, 2005. The Survey provides an overview of the firearm check procedures in each State and State interaction with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) operated by the FBI. The report summarizes issues about State procedures, including persons prohibited from purchasing firearms, restoration of rights of purchase to prohibited persons, permits, prohibited firearms, waiting periods, fees, and appeals. Supplemental tables contain data on 2005 applications to purchase firearms and rejections, as well as tabular presentations of State-by-State responses. This is one of a series of reports published from the BJS Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) project, managed under the BJS National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP). This is a web only document.

This dataset displays the participation of each state in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the USA as of 12.31.2005. The NICS is a point-of-sale system for determining eligibility to purchase a firearm in the USA. Federal Firearms License holders are required by law to use the NICS to determine if it is legal to sell a firearm to a prospective buyer. The NICS determines if the buyer is prohibited from buying a firearm under the Gun Control Act of 1968. The NICS is applicable to sales from federally licensed dealers. Sales of firearms by private sellers are allowed to proceed without a background check unless required by state law. These regulations remain in place at gun shows, where no special leniency is granted to licensed sellers, and no additional requirements are placed upon private sellers. Each State determines the extent of its participation in the NICS process. Three basic forms of State involvement currently exist: 1. a POC requests a NICS check on all firearm transfers originating in the State; 2. a POC requests a NICS check on all handgun transfers; licensees in the State are required to contact the FBI for approval of long gun transfers; or 3. the State does not maintain a point of contact; licensees are required to contact the FBI for NICS checks on all firearm transfers originating in the State. The FBI and the POC agencies always check three major Federal databases, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Interstate Identification Index (III), and the NICS Index. A POC may check additional State records. A check may include contacting an agency that maintains a record that the FBI or POC cannot access directly. After a search, the checking agency responds with a notice to the licensee that the transfer may proceed, may not proceed, or is delayed pending further review of the applicant's record. Other notes: State forbids pawning a handgun = AL, IN, MA, MI, NJ (all firearms), NH, PA

This nationally representative, anonymous, household telephone survey was conducted to explore the distribution of privately owned firearms in the United States, as well as firearm acquisition, disposal, and storage in households with guns. The study updates an earlier (1994) study by Cook and Ludwig that examined household firearm ownership in the United States (Cook P.J., Ludwig J. Guns in America: Results of a comprehensive national survey of firearms ownership and use. Washington DC: Police Foundation 1997.) Other domains of the survey included (1) past year firearm use both by respondents with firearms in their households and those without (e.g., "In the past 12 months, have you handled any gun"); (2) guns and youth (e.g., "In the last 12 months, have you ever asked another parent whether their home contains guns?"); (3) awareness of and opinions regarding state and federal firearm laws (e.g., "To the best of your knowledge, does your state have a law that holds adults liable for misuse of their guns by children or minors"; "Do you favor or oppose the sale of military style firearms?"); (4) depression and suicide (e.g., "If the Golden Gate Bridge had a barrier to prevent suicide, about how many of the 1,000 jumpers (who have committed suicide by jumping off the bridge since 1937) do you think would have found some other way to kill themselves?") and (5) aggressive driving (e.g., "In the past 12 months, have you made obscene or rude gestures at another motorist"). The survey also included extensive demographic information about the respondent and his or her family. The demographic information that was collected includes respondents' sex, age, race, education level, household income, criminal arrest history, armed forces membership status, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), and political philosophy.

This dataset looks at firearm restrictions across the USA by state. If a state has a restriction on a certain weapon than possession is prohibited or allowed only under limited exceptions, or there is a registration requirement. Surveyed Weapons: Assault weapon: A semiautomatic firearm with a large-capacity magazine and special features common to military weapons. Machine gun: (automatic firearm) A firearm that shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one bullet, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Short-barreled rifle: A rifle having one or more barrels less than 16 inches in length, and any weapon made from a rifle, whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if such weapon, as modified, has an overall length of less than 26 inches. Short-barreled shotgun: A shotgun having one or more barrels less than 18 inches in length, and any weapon made from a shotgun, whether altered or modified, if such weapon has an overall length of less then 26 inches. Unsafe handgun: (Saturday night special or junk gun) A handgun with a barrel length under 4 inches that is easily concealable and not effective for sporting or self defense purposes due to its poor quality of construction, inaccuracy, and lack of essential safety features. Definitions are from or adapted from Federal and State Codes (a jurisdictions laws should be consulted for specific definitions). This data comes from Survey of State Procedures Related to Firearm Transfers, 2005. The Survey provides an overview of the firearm check procedures in each State and State interaction with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) operated by the FBI. The report summarizes issues about State procedures, including persons prohibited from purchasing firearms, restoration of rights of purchase to prohibited persons, permits, prohibited firearms, waiting periods, fees, and appeals.

The statistic shows the percentage of population in the United States owning one or more firearms in 2017, by region. In 2017, about ** percent of the respondents living in the South owned a gun personally.

According to a survey conducted in the United States in 2023, men were more likely than women to either personally own a gun or live in a gun owning household. At this time, ** percent of American men personally owned a firearm, compared to ** percent of women.

This dataset shows what guidelines states hold in denying someone the opportunity to purchase or possess a firearm within their state as of December 31st, 2005. The categories for denial include felonies, misdemeanors, fugitive status, mental illness, court order, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, minor/underage, juvenile offender, and alien status. Each state has their own guidelines. A yes in a category means that the state prohibits someone of this status from purchasing or possessing a firearm. A No means that they are allowed. The categories of prohibited persons in the Federal Gun Control Act (GCA) are the prevailing minimum nationwide. Firearm transfer to or possession by such persons is unlawful. State statutes may include additional or more restrictive prohibitions. These prohibitory laws are intended to prevent firearm possession or purchase by persons believed to be incapable of handling a weapon in a safe and legal manner. In some cases Federal and State laws allow a prohibited person to regain firearm rights. Survey of State Procedures Related to Firearm Transfers, 2005 This entire report provides an overview of the firearm check procedures in each State and State interaction with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) operated by the FBI. The report summarizes issues about State procedures, including persons prohibited from purchasing firearms, restoration of rights of purchase to prohibited persons, permits, prohibited firearms, waiting periods, fees, and appeals. Supplemental tables contain data on 2005 applications to purchase firearms and rejections, as well as tabular presentations of State-by-State responses. More information can be obtained by following the link to the source url.

Number and percentage of homicide victims, by type of firearm used to commit the homicide (total firearms; handgun; rifle or shotgun; fully automatic firearm; sawed-off rifle or shotgun; firearm-like weapons; other firearms, type unknown), Canada, 1974 to 2018.

The global rifle gun safe market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing firearm ownership, stringent gun safety regulations, and rising concerns about home security. The market, estimated at $2.5 billion in 2025, is projected to exhibit a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2025 to 2033, reaching approximately $4.2 billion by 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. The rising popularity of recreational shooting sports and hunting is significantly boosting demand for secure gun storage solutions. Furthermore, legislation mandating safe gun storage in various regions is acting as a strong catalyst. The increasing awareness of home security threats, including burglaries and accidental firearm access by children, is further contributing to the market's expansion. The market is segmented by application (home, military, shooting range, others) and type (dial lock, digital lock, biometric lock), with the home segment holding the largest market share due to the widespread adoption of personal firearm ownership. The digital and biometric lock types are witnessing rapid adoption owing to their convenience and enhanced security features compared to traditional dial locks. While the market faces constraints such as fluctuating raw material prices and economic downturns potentially impacting consumer spending, the long-term growth outlook remains positive, particularly in North America and Asia Pacific regions, due to the higher rates of gun ownership and strengthening regulatory environments. The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of established players and emerging companies. Key players like First Alert, Liberty Safe, SnapSafe, and others are focusing on product innovation, including smart features and enhanced security mechanisms, to capture market share. Geographic expansion, strategic partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions are also key strategies being adopted by market participants. The North American region currently dominates the market, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, but emerging economies in Asia-Pacific are expected to witness significant growth in the coming years due to rising disposable incomes and increasing awareness of gun safety. Future growth will likely be shaped by advancements in technology, including smart home integration and improved biometric security, and continuous regulatory changes impacting gun ownership and storage laws across different regions.

The global Gun Maintenance market is poised for significant expansion, projected to reach a substantial market size of approximately $2.5 billion by 2025, with a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5% anticipated through 2033. This growth is primarily fueled by an increasing number of firearm enthusiasts and a heightened awareness regarding the importance of regular firearm upkeep for optimal performance and safety. The market is experiencing a surge in demand driven by the growing popularity of shooting sports, hunting, and recreational firearm ownership across key regions. Furthermore, advancements in cleaning technologies and the development of specialized maintenance products, such as advanced lubricants and non-toxic cleaning agents, are also playing a crucial role in stimulating market expansion. The increasing accessibility of firearms, coupled with a growing emphasis on responsible gun ownership, further amplifies the need for effective and efficient maintenance solutions, propelling the market forward. The market is segmented across various applications, including Specialty Stores, Shopping Malls, and Online Shops, with online channels experiencing particularly rapid growth due to their convenience and wider product selection. Within product types, Detergents and Lubricants represent dominant categories, catering to the core needs of firearm cleaning and preservation. Key industry players such as GSM Outdoors, The Safariland Group, and Vista Outdoor are actively investing in research and development to introduce innovative products and expand their market reach. While the market exhibits strong growth potential, certain restraints such as stringent regulations on firearm sales and ownership in some regions, and the perceived high cost of specialized maintenance products, may present challenges. However, the overarching trend of increasing firearm ownership and a sustained focus on safety and longevity of firearms are expected to outweigh these limitations, ensuring a positive trajectory for the Gun Maintenance market. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global Gun Maintenance market, spanning the historical period of 2019-2024 and projecting growth through 2033. The study utilizes the Base Year of 2025 for critical estimations and covers the Forecast Period from 2025-2033. The market is segmented by Application (Specialty Store, Shopping Mall, Online Shop, Others), Type (Detergent, Lubricant, Other), and Industry Developments. Leveraging a robust dataset, the report quantures the market size in millions of units and offers a detailed examination of key players, trends, and future outlook.

Global Gun and Accessories market size was USD 7.53 Billion in 2022. Gun and Accessories Industry's Compound Annual Growth Rate will be 6.1% from 2023 to 2030. What is driving the Gun and Accessories Market?

The growing popularity of shooting sports is driving the market growth

The participation of people in shooting sports activities such as target shooting, competitive shooting, and hunting is gaining popularity due to the increased accessibility of shooting sports to a wider range of individuals, and the inclusion of shooting sports in the Olympic Games. In addition to this, the increasing exposure of these sports through media inspired individuals to explore shooting sports. With the increasing popularity of shooting sports, the demand for guns and accessories is rising globally. Sports guns are specifically non-lethal weapon which includes handguns, rifles, shotguns, and others. In the United States, the sale of sports firearms has increased from 2017 to 2022 owing to concerns regarding personal security and self-defense, the increasing popularity of shooting sports, and recreational hunting. Moreover, the proliferation of shooting competitions and events at various levels, ranging from local matches to national and international tournaments, has played a crucial role in popularizing shooting sports. These events attract both professional shooters and enthusiasts, creating a demand for high-quality firearms and specialized accessories that can enhance performance and accuracy. Shooters often seek accessories like specialized triggers, custom grips, muzzle brakes, and recoil pads to optimize their firearms for competitive shooting, this factor is fuelling the growth of the gun and accessories market.

Rising violent activities are anticipated to boost the growth of the global guns and accessories market (Access Detailed Analysis in the Full Report Version)


Increasing awareness regarding personal safety and self-defense is accelerating the market growth (Access Detailed Analysis in the Full Report Version)

Market Restraining Factor

Stringent government regulations on gun ownership (Access Detailed Analysis in the Full Report Version)

Introduction of Gun and Accessories

A firearm is a portable barrelled weapon that is designed to expel a shot, projectile, or bullet by the action of an explosive. There are several types of firearms available in the market such as rifles, handguns, shotguns, machine guns, and submachine guns. These weapons are mainly used for defense, sports shooting, self-defense, hunting, law enforcement, and others. The firearm includes different accessories such as slides or cylinders, barrels, kits, parts, magazines, grips, and others. The major factors responsible for the gun and accessories industry’s growth are cross-border conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and rising demand for competitive shooting and sports shooting. In recent years, increased use of firearms has been observed for law enforcement, military, and commercial applications. Therefore, firearms manufacturers are engaged in developing and launching different types of firearms to attract more customers and expand their footprints across the globe. The demand for sports guns is gaining traction due to the growing popularity of sports shooting. A sport gun is also known as a non-lethal weapon that comprises a rifle, pistol, and shotgun. It is mainly used for recreational activities and competitive shooting. These guns differ from one lethal counterpart according to their projectile, caliber, technology, and others. Sports guns are they are lighter and more comfortable to use than lethal guns such as Rheinmetall MG 3, Uzi, AK 47, M4 Carbine, and others. Furthermore, increasing participation in various shooting sports acts is a major factor driving the growth of the gun and gun accessories market. Sporting sports include high-power rifles, popinjay, cowboy action shooting, sporting clays, skeet shooting, target shooting, and others.

Title: Pew Research Center – American Trends Panel Wave 25 Fieldwork Dates: March 13–27, 2017 Sample Size: N = 4,151 U.S. adults Mode: Web-based survey (English and Spanish) Purpose: This wave explores Americans’ views on gun ownership, rights, and regulation. It forms the foundation for the report America’s Complex Relationship with Guns and related Fact Tank posts. The dataset is designed for both standalone and longitudinal analysis with Wave 26.