How many active gun owners?

[kamagong]

I read somewhere that there are 270 million privately owned guns in the U.S. That's 9 guns for every 10 Americans. I wonder how many people actually own guns though. I myself already own four, and I've only been shooting for a few months.

How many Americans do you think are actually active gun owners? I'm not talking about the guy with Grandpa's old .22 rusting away in the closet or the person who bought a .38 revolver, fired a box through it, and left it in her sock drawer. I'm talking about people who like guns and practice with their guns on a regular basis.

 

[BobbyQuickdraw]

I own 2 guns. My grandfather owns 1 gun. My uncle owns about 6 guns. My mother owns 1. My dad owns at least 8.

And nearly all of my cousins/other uncles own at least 3 guns, I'd say. Most of these are rifles/shotguns for hunting purposes. But we've got several shotguns, several rifles (most of the family hunts/hunted at one time), .22s, and even a historical gun or two thrown in for luck.

I'd imagine that if you averaged out all of the people who own several guns with those who just owned one gun, you'd probably find something close to, I don't know, around 35% of individuals being armed. Possibly as high as 50%.

Though that can be misleading, because my roommates dont own guns, but they shoot guns, and I have gone over the finer points of handling and safety with them several times, so in the event of something going wrong, either of them can and have permission to use my gun if I'm unavailable or incapacitated. I'd imagine a lot of wives dont "own" their own guns, but use their husbands, so that will skew the real results as they're not "gun owners" but they are shooters.

 

[rmarcustrucker]

I've heard that 80% of those guns are owned by 10% of the 270 million. I've got 13 of them, so I'm accounted for.

 

[BobbyQuickdraw]

I've heard that 80% of those guns are owned by 10% of the 270 million. I've got 13 of them, so I'm accounted for.

That would still put 54 million guns into the hands of individuals. Plus the 10% of 270 million that owns multiples is 27 million. Which, if those numbers are correct, would be 81 million individual gun owners.

Factor in my point above about wives not owning, but using guns, and you could reasonably figure that something like 120-130 million people have direct access to a firearm.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Off hand I can't think of but a couple people that don't own guns. Many don't practice with any regularity though.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

I own 9 guns and my son, who lives with us and uses my safe, owns 2. And yet, our little collection absolutely pales in comparison to some THR members.

 

[Gingerbreadman]

I own three. I have some catching up to do.

 

[gruesomenewsom]

in the latest issue ofAmerica's First Freedom it cites that there are 80 million gun owners in the US. I myself have 5 guns in my possession while my father has probably between twenty and thirty. I've got the good stuff though haha

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

10% own 80% sounds about right...I know guys like El Tejon and Gixerman definately skew the numbers.

I have ~20, so I'm doing the best I can.

 

[huff]

I have 8, 4 handguns and four others. But as I think about it most of the people I know do not own and very few shoot on a reg. basis.

 

[TEDDY]

gun owners

Its hard to put a figure on gun owners.pollster:do you own a gun me what own a gun I would not have one in the house.says I:and there are alot who own and no one knows them.In Mass where I came from there are many active pistol shooters.my club has over 300 in it.24hr open range.there are 5 simular clubs in 10 mile area.here in SC there not many that dont have a gun.they just dont advertise it.

 

[Urbana John]

Let me think???

I " had" 9 or 10 hand guns------12 long guns (shot guns and rifles)

but when my boat sank, yea you know what happened

UJ

 

[elrod]

I have to have so many to bring the average up for those who don't have any guns. Getting to be a real burden. Oh well, it's a tough job, but somebodys got to do it!

 

[phaed]

it's my hope that there will never be an accurate answer to your question.

 

[kamagong]

it's my hope that there will never be an accurate answer to your question.

Me too. Ten percent sounds about right though. When I thought of the people in my (extended) family that probably have guns, I could only come up with a handful, about 1 in every 10 adults.