Almost Half of This Group of Americans Owns a Gun

Americans have varied reasons for gun ownership. These reasons include hunting, protection, sport shooting, and collecting. Some owners need them for their jobs; law enforcement and soldiers keep a side arm and usually some type of shotgun. A 2023 Gallup survey stated that 42% of Americans personally own a firearm. There are approximately 120.5 guns to 100 people in the US.

Whatever the reasoning behind owning a gun – firearm sales are booming. In 2023, the industry generated as much as $90.06 billion in total economic activity, as reported by the Firearm Industry Trade Association.

It’s important to note that gun ownership rates vary significantly among diverse demographic groups, regions, income brackets, and other categorizations.

Geographic region dictates a notable difference in ownership rates. In the Eastern US, approximately 22% own firearms. On the other hand, the Southern states have reached about 44%, almost twice as high.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the most recent Gallup pole, Household Gun Ownership in the U.S. Among Subgroups. The survey questioned whether respondents possessed firearms individually. Participants were categorized by criteria such as gender, political party affiliation, age, geographical region, household income, and community type.

Why This Matters

24/7 is covering trends in gun ownership because the gun industry has wide-reaching effects on our nation’s economy. Multi-million dollar corporations that manufacture, distribute, and sell firearms stimulate the economy on a national and local level. When a consumer purchases a firearm from notable firearm companies such as Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Sig Sauer, and Springfield Armory, they support an array of jobs created by this industry, as well as generating tax revenues at a state and federal level.

Scroll below to see the Americans who own the most guns: 18 categories ranked

18. Party Affiliation: Democrat

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 20%

17. Gender: Female

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 21%

15. Region: East

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 22%

15. Annual Household Income: Less than $40,000

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 22%

13. Type of Community: Big/Small City

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 26%

13. Age: 18-34

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 26%

12. Region: West

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 27%

11. Party Affiliation: Independent

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 32%

8. Region: Midwest

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 35%

8. Age: 55 and Older

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 35%

8. Annual Household Income: $40,000-$99,999

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 35%

7. Type of Community: Suburb of Big/Small City

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 36%

6. Age: 35-54

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 38%

5. Type of Community: Town/Rural Area

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 41%

4. Region: South

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 44%

3. Gender: Male

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 46%

2. Annual Household Income: $100,000 or more

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 47%

1. Party Affiliation: Republican

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 48%

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