7 million new shooters this year.

Where did this 7 million new shooters stat come from? I don't recall a question on the 4473 asking if you are a new shooter. Last year I bought 4 long guns and a handgun so am I included in that statistic? Not trying to rain on the parade because I hope it is true about 7 million new gun owners.

GEM said:

Yeah, buying a handgun and a box of ammo may not transfer to an AR-15 and a 30 round mag. The percent of 5 is enough vs. I need a black rifle commitment would be an interesting survey.

However, I do think the increase in purchasing is overall a good thing.

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Back in March I bought my first gun - a P365 SAS and a 25 round box of defensive ammo - to protect my wife and I from the roving bands of gunned-up buttholes that you always see in post-apocalyptic movies. I then got my LTC, took multiple courses from defensive handgun to CQB and gun fighting courses. All the while expanding a collection of pistols that could outfit a soccer team. Just before Christmas I bought an AR15, not particularly because I felt the need for one, but I didn’t want someone telling me I couldn’t have one. During that time I have visited the range 2-3 times a week and have developed a passion for shooting that I wish I had discovered years ago and have become a pretty decent shooter. But perhaps the most important thing is that I have met many, many people who have a similar story to mine. People who went from no gun experience to accomplished knowledgeable shooters who virtually overnight became 1911 fanboys or 10mm disciples, or both. We might not make up the majority of the 7,000,000, but we’re out there and we’re spreading the word.

This has become an interesting thread to read. I have read all the responses and they all have some validity in them.

But we should look at this from the perspective of free individuals and recognize that the more private citizens armed is a good thing.

Forget new gun owners, old gun owners, who should do what, or what these new owners may or may not do, but aknowledge that armed people are more inclined to be free people.

Everyone and their brother should have a gun, this is America.

The shooting range I have been going to is a lot more crowded now. A few times I was the only white guy there. Lots of black and Asian men and women that are obviously new to shooting. Ended up showing a 20 something year old black girl how to work a historically correct flintlock one day and she loved it. Even better she realized that this was part of HER history. Sure, not all of them are going to turn into gun fanatics, but all will have had new experiences that stick in their minds. I love it.

Scooter22 said:

I'll trust what the guys I know personally say that sell guns daily. Many for decades over some high post blow hard on a gun sight looking into his own crystal ball or tea leaves. I certanily hope you haven,t bought any used guns either. That seems to be a sore point also. Happy New Year.

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Gosh, come to think of it, I'm friends with a number of guys "I know personally" who also sell guns daily -- what a coincidence. We've had these discussions regarding all the new gun-owners as well. Funny thing, the new gun buyers may indeed be novices with zero firearms knowledge or experience, but we've not heard from those buying guns "because they are scared." Concerned, looking ahead, but hell, if you want to call that scared, have at it. I'm a member of two gun clubs and shoot at a couple other commercial ranges as well as on some recreational shooting areas on public land, so I've actually talked to a number of the new gun-owners, not just the guys working at the gun shops.

Speaking of personally, seems as though you're taking this discussion kind of personally (really? "high post count blow hard on a gun sight [sic]...") No need for the name calling, thought we were all good buds here. Guess not.

Anyway, I'll be happy for you if you can score some new used guns when all the scared people get reassured by Biden and Harris and sell them all off. Heck, I might even buy one or two, if any quality pieces come my way. Just 'cause you're taking the selfish view of things, looking forward to the glut of used guns and all, isn't a sore point for me, by the way.

All I was trying to say (apparently not clearly enough for some) was that if the quoted numbers are anywhere near accurate, surely we'll end up with a bunch more gun folks... obviously, not all the newbies, nor even most, but probably enough to make a difference. Of course, that's only the opinion of a blow hard on an internet gun site. Happy New Year!

Without doing ANYTHING, these new gun owners / shooters are helping. They translate to raw numbers in congress, whether the onlooker Rep or Senator is 2A yea or nay. It's numbers folks.

AND SIMILARLY TO OTHER crooks, the armed citizen is a lesser target to an unarmed one. Raw facts,even in an era where criminals are becoming more bold; the mere presence of a firearm ends the majority of conflicts without even being pointed. Crooks (again hehe) would prefer not to present a questionnaire,do you shoot often? Practice distraction techniques? Support all 2A legislation? Can draw & fire 2 rounds in XX seconds?

Vote 2A issue as a regular course of fire, er,excuse me,action? Or move on to other easier targets?? Hmm?


So to quote Arnold in Terminator RELAX! Help as you can, as you are asked. Here's a goodie, WHEN allll you dedicated activists are contacting your Fed Senators and Reps in the upcoming years, refer back to those MILLIONS of new gunowners, Ok?

George Dickel said:

Where did this 7 million new shooters stat come from? I don't recall a question on the 4473 asking if you are a new shooter. Last year I bought 4 long guns and a handgun so am I included in that statistic? Not trying to rain on the parade because I hope it is true about 7 million new gun owners.

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Great point. I think there has been a 7 million gun buy increase over previous years..not necessarily 7 million 'NEW' gun owners. And no real way to tell if the gun bought was to somebody who already owned guns. My sons and I bought 6 guns in 2020...to add to the dozen or so we already have..

lbs said:

I think all 7 million are at my local range.
I try to help but you've got guys with their egos ,showing some newbe how to shoot. Hard not to step on toes.

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A lot of new shooters have been at the range based on what I see and what range officers tell me.

There is no validity in the statement that there are 7 million new shooters.

Many of the guns sold in 2020 were to people who already owned guns.

Many of the truly new gun owners are still not shooters. I bet there are a lot of guns sitting new in the same boxes they were sold in.

7 Million new shooters? Seven hundred thousand? Three million?

I don't really care.


A whole heckuva LOT of new shooters!!!!

And that's a good thing!


However many!

Probably fake news again

I didn't shoot for about 20 years due to family and work obligations, and this thread got me thinking about all the people who helped me when I started shooting again about 10 years ago. I had previously shot my service revolver almost exclusively and while I had owned semi automatics in the past, didn't shoot them much and knew little about them. I was pretty nervous the first few times I went shooting again but fortunately had a number of people who helped answer my questions and made sure I did so safely. I had a former employee help me find my first semi auto when I started shooting again, a factory refurbished 9mm P226. He also answered a lot of my newbie questions. A friend who was a gun smith and worked at a local gun range offered a lot of guidance. A shooting instructor who happened to be shooting in the booth next to me and my oldest son gave us some great suggestions. The members on this forum have been a tremendous help, and so on. I'm far from an expert, but know enough to help new shooters get started, something I've done and continue to do. I don't know how many new shooters there actually are or how any of them will actually shoot as opposed to keeping their gun in a drawer, but I make it a point to be as helpful as I can, as I appreciate those who helped and continue to help me and want to do the same for others.

From what I have seen of many of the new gun buyers, they look like the type of people who would burn police cars and loot Nikes during a peaceful protest.

But we should not generalize. I know many of them are probably pro secpond amendment conservatives.

7 million is based on the number of first time background checks done by the NICS. This isn't that hard to look up.

At least some of those 7 million new gun owners now have a vested interest in the future of gun ownership
and the new anti gun laws that will be made.

Bill Raby said:

The shooting range I have been going to is a lot more crowded now. A few times I was the only white guy there. Lots of black and Asian men and women that are obviously new to shooting. Ended up showing a 20 something year old black girl how to work a historically correct flintlock one day and she loved it. Even better she realized that this was part of HER history. Sure, not all of them are going to turn into gun fanatics, but all will have had new experiences that stick in their minds. I love it.

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Did she bring the flintlock into the range or you had it?

kidneyboy said:

7 million is based on the number of first time background checks done by the NICS. This isn't that hard to look up.

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Where does it ask if your a first time gun owner, or how would big brother know if im a newbie?

kidneyboy said:

7 million is based on the number of first time background checks done by the NICS. This isn't that hard to look up.

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Please provide your source. I've searched and have only found estimates by gun friendly organizations.

To all of the new gun owners and shooters, welcome.

There is one thing that sets you apart from people in every other country in the world; a Second Amendment right to purchase, own and enjoy a firearm. Nowhere else in the world are people free enough to exercise and enjoy such a right.

If you chose your new gun for sport, few sports are more challenging and rewarding than the shooting sports. They’re safe, fun and enjoyable for those 8 to 80+.

For those who purchased your first firearm for protection, I think it’s been shown that the police can’t be everywhere, all the time and you’ve decided to accept that fact and take responsibility for yourself should you be faced with it. Since the dawn of time there have been humans with evil intent in their soul and sometimes an adult has to have the ready means to resist those who wish you or yours harm or death. No matter what the elites say Seattle’s “CHOP experiment” is proof in living color the fact that absence authority some people are hardwired for evil. This will never be regulated away, educated away, nor will it be wished away.

To all new gun owners who bought for self protection, please seek out competent instruction, practice/train when you can and may you never have to use your firearm in a deadly encounter. But become confident in your abilities if you do.

And a final thought; There are people who will derisively tell you that all guns are bad, that “gun nuts” like you with a gun in your home are deranged and no one other than the government and military should possess any firearms, period.

Who are these people, and when did they manufacture the right to tell you which rights YOU may enjoy and when you may exercise them? Who are THEY to tell you that YOU have no right to self protection and YOU must submit to the wills of those who violently prey on others?

Often, THEY same people YOU vote for.

Please think about that the next time a ballot sits in front of you.

Stay safe.

Without prejudice to the state numbers:
US population, 18 to 65, is about 193 million.
7 million is 3.6%

Perhaps the better question is "What percentage were already gun owners?"
And, that's not an easy question to answer, since at least a third of those are going to stay mum on the point.
I have seen, in print, numbers as low as 8-9 million gun owners; and numbers as high as 50-60 million.

Which of those numbers you cleave to is your own business. And is really only germane to the percentage increase. (If 8-9 million, then ownership has doubled; if 50-60, then only 10-11% increase--significant but not overwhelming.)

Ranges certainly seem to be more crowded, and not necessarily by experienced folk. Which is nothing but opinion, little better than hearsay. How many of those we see "first timing" at ranges have 'always' had a nightstand revolver? That's not really "first time buyers" but, possibly, "first time 'shooters."

As with all human endeavors, the trick is to offer help to those seeking it. If they are not seeking help, it's very thorny trying to convince them that they want help. The lightest hand guides the best, can be a useful adage.

kidneyboy said:

7 million is based on the number of first time background checks done by the NICS. This isn't that hard to look up.

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Really? Got a link? I haven't found anything that says how many first time checks were done, only how many were done total. The info from successful checks is deleted after 24 hours (or at least it's supposed to be) so there wouldn't be any way to determine how many of the checks were first time or otherwise.

George Dickel said:

Not trying to rain on the parade because I hope it is true about 7 million new gun owners.

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It's not true, unfortunately. There were roughly 7 million more total checks this year than last year. Even assuming that each check was for a gun buyer (it isn't), obviously not every one of those 7 million was new.

https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/nics_firearm_checks_-_month_year.pdf/view

I'm sure there are quite a few new gun owners just based on anecdotal evidence talking to people. I won't try to put a specific value on it but I'm sure it's a few million at least. Having more gun owners can't hurt! I'm not super worried about them being untrained as I suspect that less than 1 in 100 present gun owners have any training beyond maybe an NRA hunter's safety course of the class required to get a CCW permit. It's hard to say how much expanding gun ownership will help politically; gun owners seem to be pretty fractured. Over the years I've seen the guys that own "Fudd guns" often aren't concerned about 'assault weapons' bans because they don't own any, and lots of guys that are volume shooters that don't care about hunting often don't go to bat for hunting & conservation legislation, etc. Often gun owners from red states mock gun owners from blue states and claim they "get what they deserve" for living there. It seems few in the gun community even see themselves as a community, and fewer still believe that we all stand our fall together, and that the bill that's in CA today could be in AZ in ten years.

Speaking of personally, seems as though you're taking this discussion kind of personally (really? "high post count blow hard on a gun sight [sic]...") No need for the name calling, thought we were all good buds here. Guess not.
I shouldn't,t have posted that. But you can,t judge someone from one post. I,d bet we have a lot in common as many members here would. As far as "selfish", again thats your view. Someone owned a gun before it was in the used rack. Like any up and down flow of the free market things are for sale. I think most of us would like to buy when things are on the low end than high. My opinion, or "crystal ball" says there will be more used guns in the next couple years. I'll add to my collection if I see something like anyone else browsing the used rack. Have a good week end.

Maybe all of the brand-new gun owners secure their guns if children live in, or visit the home.