This is the #1 Sign That You’re a Gun Owner

While discussing gun control during the presidential debates, Vice President Kamala Harris — who is currently the Democratic nominee for president — shared that she herself was a gun owner. This admission, along with the admission that her running mate Tim Walz was also a gun owner, was used to shut down the debate that she would confiscate guns from responsible gun owners if elected. Many people were shocked to learn that Harris owned guns. But this represents a growing trend of gun ownership in America, with over 40% of people now living in a home with a firearm. In the past, many people attributed gun ownership to certain demographics. However, it’s now clear that gun ownership is growing in various groups and across diverse demographics. (Here are America’s best-selling pistols and how much they cost.)

Whatever the reasons people have for owning guns, firearm sales are booming across the country. In 2023, reports the Firearm Industry Trade Association, the firearm industry generated $90.06 billion in total economic activity. Here, 24/7 Wall St. set out to understand which demographic groups in America own the most weapons. To do so, we 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. We listed these in order of lowest gun ownership percentages to highest, though there are some ties. 

Why This Matters

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 both a national and local level. When you purchase guns from notable companies such as Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Sig Sauer, and Springfield Armory, you support an array of jobs created by this industry, as well as tax revenue generation.

Here are the 18 groups of Americans who own the most guns: 

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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