Will Most of the New Guns Owners Stay Gun Owners?

[citizenconn]

It's been reported over the past few years, certainly since the start of the pandemic and the last election cycle, that there are an unprecedented number of first time gun owners. The empty shelves we have encountered as our LGS's and big box retailers are certainly anecdotal evidence of that.

Even now, every time I go pick up a transfer or new purchase at my FFL, I encounter a number of folks getting guns whose mannerisms and actions indicate to me they are first time gun buyers. Same with many folks I encounter at the outdoor range I frequent.

Do you think the majority of these folks will remain long time gun owners and retain more than a casual interest; will they keep the guns but lose interest similar to those getting into new hobbies like juicing, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.; or will they sell the guns as soon as they perceive the threat that caused them to buy the guns to begin with has passed? Or maybe an option I didn't list. What do you think this will mean for the gun industry and support of the 2A over the next 10 years? Thanks for your consideration.
citizenconn

 

[CDW4ME]

Being a gun owner =/= "into" guns.

I was "into" archery for years. I had two bows, lots of arrows, various broadheads, fletched my own arrows, posted on archery forums.
I would practice archery all year and looked forward to opening of archery season like a kid waiting for Christmas.
I quit hunting completely a few years ago (lost the desire), sold all my archery stuff and quit posting on archery forums.

I'm "into" handguns but in particular those suited for carry; I'm a handgun and carry enthusiast and have been for years (decades).

New people who knows.
They may get a gun but never shoot it, just own it. I know people like that.
They make take the next step and get carry permit.
Then they make actually carry wherever they can, something some gun owners fail at.
Maybe they will be "into" guns and be a carry enthusiast like me.

 

[Scout21]

Being a gun owner =/= "into" guns.

I would agree. I own a vehicle, but I'm not a "car guy". I own running shoes, but I don't run marathons. I own a computer, but I'm not a techno wizard.

Just because there has been an influx of new owners doesn't mean there is going to be a flood of new blood in the shooting sports, hunting, activism for RKBA, or any other shooting related activities. I'm sure that there has been an increase; I have a friend who has jumped head first into the AR-15 and defensive handgun world since the beginning of this craziness. But I'd say that it's not likely that the majority of new gun owners are going to be heralds for gun rights and activities.

But really, it's probably too early to tell if there will be lasting changes due to the surge in firearm ownership. The most we can do is try to get out there and do our small part to help out.

 

[Archie]

I guess most of the 'new' owners will keep only one or two defensive arms for protection. Many of those guns will become 'bureau drawer guns' in that they will be relegated to the back of the sock drawer in the bureau in the bedroom. Probably a lot of technical owners, not so many steady shooters, or buyers of ammunition, holsters and that sort of 'accessory'. At election time, some, not all, will remember the gun in the back room and consider voting to keep it.

 

[N555]

I go to the range with my suppressed A2 rifle with attached M203 and people act like they can't believe what they are seeing.
2 years ago no one cared.
It will be like the 1990s riots, there will be a surge of new gun owners and people will flee the city. Seems like new gun owners are more likely to turn into inactive gun owners than non gun owners. They still have a gun, but don't have any ammo and never go shooting.
I thinks that's part of the reason why there was no ammo to be had for over a year for 2020 in every single caliber. Inactive gun owners who had their fathers or grandpas 30-30, shotgun, M1carbine, ect didn't have any ammo, now all of a sudden realized it might be about to hit the fan and went out and bought boxes of ammo, started to go to the gun range for the first time or the first time in a very long time, shot off some ammo, then bought more ammo.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

My one LGS told me. After things settle down. A lot of new gun owners will be selling their guns. His used invatory has been picking up. So he was right id say. Last year you were lucky to see 6 used guns on his site.

https://gatorsusedguns.com/longguns

 

[Remington1911]

The simple fact that they CAN go and buy something is a good thing. And IMHO if just 10% go to a range a few times a year this is going to be a good time for 2A supporters. But so much of it comes down to "us". The collective the left calls the gun nutz. These are people that the new gun owners know, these are people that work in the stores that sell that 100lb woman a 380 LCP because she wanted something small, only to have her shoot it and really hurt her hand, give her a bad experience right off the bat.

Sadly most of the gun nutz are men and again sadly to say most are just flat stupid as to how females work....past tab D goes in slot C. How often do you see new gun people going to these little "carry" guns....and not really understand everything behind it.

Story time:
I have told parts of this other places.

Over the past couple weeks I have been "teaching" two very different girls shooting. The first about my age (mid to late 50's) she wanted a gun because her daughter (30) has gone off the rails, drugs, jail, likely prison....really a shame. And they have very real fears for their safety, as they lobbied for the baby daddy to have sole custody of the grand kid, they help him out with the kid, so yea issues there. Her husband (not a gun guy) bought her some small personal defense pistol and one shot from it was all it took.....nope done, want nothing to do with it, hurt. This is a bigger woman, I would guess about 170, and at least 5'8". I told her hang on, lets get back to this for a sec. I go back home (lucky to shoot on my property) and bring down a "bunch" of guns, from 22 to 45. We start shooting 22's and she is enjoying herself. We move to a 25, itty bitty little thing, not a big fan but not too bad, move on to a 32, this works pretty well, 380 in a PPK clone, this shoots pretty nice, it is the same thing that yours shoots......REALLY? yup, the shape and weight have a lot to do with how it shoots. 92fs, bigger, more power, shoots more easy, not as much kick....shape and weight again. 1911, much bigger again, more kick and not as bad as her little 380.

The same thing with the kids girlfriend, only difference is she is about 100lbs and 23. We moved into shot guns, and busted clays, now they both want to go to the sporting clays field next time.

If you waded past all this, you can grow life long gun people, but you MUST do it correctly, the "older" woman was this close to walking away, a spanking new gun person TOTALLY NEW and she was one and done till I put a little work in, the wife helping I also think was a big part of it....see girls can do this too.

The boys girl, grew up with guns but never had any interest, she now works late hours at a hospital in some iffy parts of the city, she is thinking about the carry thing. Big decision....REAL BIG. You have likely talked to my boy about kids, you guys are getting married, this is I would argue a topic of that kind, not something you walk into, but something you really need to think about.....she still is. Not a big deal as she does mental health stuff and does it through the computer most days. But she is really wanting to hit those clays more.

The roots are taking hold.

we need to be smart about it.

 

[TarDevil]

Things came and went in my life. Horses, motorcycles, guitars, water skiing.

Airplanes are a passion and have been in my blood and family always. They got me interested in guns. Both are bottomless wells of information. Airplanes were a passionate tool, now just a passion. I like guns a lot but they were never were a passion. They definitely are a tool.

Most significant similarity between guns and airplanes is neither should be attempted without significant commitment. That's what I would ask a new gun buyer... "Are you committed?"

 

[The Glockodile]

...I encounter a number of folks getting guns whose mannerisms and actions indicate to me they are first time gun buyers. Same with many folks I encounter at the outdoor range I frequent.

I got that when I was waiting for my CFL to be issued at the local Sheriff's Office from someone who does sorta kinda fit into the "good ole boy" stereotype...

Quip: "...new gun owner, huh?"

Reply: "...competitive shooter from MS for the last twelve years, just moved into this state."

Sometimes, lying through my teeth so bad just feels so damned good.

Back to the topic - there will likely be more unattended, forgotten pocket pistols hidden in various closets across the U.S.A. as a result; IF the number of new owners IS SIGNIFICANT, then ODDS are we may get an increase (if even a small one) in the number of enthusiasts as well.

The more owners, the higher the CHANCES firearms will be seen from a favorable perspective, if that makes any sense.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I’m a pessimist when it comes to new gun owners who only became gun owners due to political tides and shifting levels of perceived safety.

Some of these folks may have become and may continue to be pro gun.

I see an alarming number of moderate liberals however who want to be pro gun but they believe in big government, socialized medicine, abortion, and a plethora of other liberal ideologies more than they believe in the 2nd amendment.

Do we need these folks as a “better than nothing” gun owner? Who is to say?

Maybe a pro gun liberal political party will spawn somehow.

I personally have never understood why liberals seemingly have to be anti gun like it is part of the ideology somehow. It doesn’t have to be.

 

[reddog81]

Most will keep the gun, but probably never had much interest in shooting anyways. I'd guess for most it was never intended to be a hobby. It's just a tool to be used in the event of an emergency.

I own a number of electric drills. I just use them as needed. With guns I'd assume most people have the same mindset.

Most new shooters assume using a gun is like in the movies - point, pull trigger, bad guy falls down. The concepts of aligning the sights, trigger control, recoil management, use of safeties and everything else that goes into shooting is all something that is kind of whitewashed and assumed will just happen...

I have taken a handful of newbies to the range and walked them through all the basics. Some consider a 1 time trip to the range with a new gun as a check box type item and once that box has been checked you are good to go. Others have interest in coming back once or twice a year. One friend now comes out a dozen or more times every year and is interested in all the various aspects of the hobby.

 

[citizenconn]

I’m a pessimist when it comes to new gun owners who only became gun owners due to political tides and shifting levels of perceived safety.

 

[Dunross]

The people who are "into guns" have always been a fairly small percentage of the total number of gun owners in the United States. The great majority own guns for various reasons - with self or home defense being the biggest one - but aren't particularly into them in the way that most of us here on this board are.

My family on both sides are Southern and every adult male (and many of the females) owns at least one firearm and have had for many years. That said though, so far as I've been able to determine at family reunions over the years, there are about two of us who are "into guns" in that we reload, shoot recreationally, post to gun boards, whatever. All the rest have home defense or hunting weapons they shoot seldom and don't spend time thinking about.

I think the big nationwide buying spree of the last couple of years will gradually cool down. Indeed, already is cooling, and if we get a sensible president in 2024 will drop dramatically. Some of the folks who bought firearms for the first time will sell, most will let theirs sit in nightstand drawers or closets, and a small percentage will remain "into guns" pretty much as they always have. At least until the next whatever comes along to start the cycle all over again.

I do not believe we will ever go back to the "good old days" of pre-1968 or even pre-1992. It's going to remain a perpetual political struggle forevermore that will wax and wane depending on events and elections.

 

[The Glockodile]

I personally have never understood why liberals seemingly have to be anti gun like it is part of the ideology somehow. It doesn’t have to be.

Politikz!

Reeed Aleeert!

https://link.springer.com/reference...8099-8_1427-1#:~:text=Definition,as “all bad”).

There's this defense mechanism called "splitting" wherein one dichotomously separates characteristics of "friends" and "foes," typically aligning one's self with traits of "friends."



We can use Josh Mandel's (OH) campaign platform as an example. Military, God, Guns, Trump... As a Republican Candidate, he gambled on defining the bandwagon as such to cater to potential voters. A bandwagon is, for all practical purposes, a narrative.

We do the same.

We define our "tribe" largely in our own self - image (pretty much like we do God).

Truth is, it's a pretty wide, diverse spectrum being myopically viewed through (really dumb) preconceived versions of "left" and "right..."

There are lots of left - wing folks who are avid shooters, believe me...

...in MS.

They're every bit as "American" as you and I.

 

[9x56MS]

The smart ones will.

 

[WrongHanded]

Firstly, I don't think most of these folk really had an "interest" in guns. I think they were scared and didn't know what else to do to "protect" themselves from their fears, other than go purchase a mechanical device that would make them feel less helpless. They bought themselves what they perceived to be power.

And whilst most of those people probably thought it would be a good idea to actually try using it and become familiar with that new "power", only some found it enjoyable enough to have a passing interest. A few may have become hooked, but most will put it in a sock draw or an old shoe box, and forget all about it.

They won't likely sell it immediately, because it was hard for them to attain and the future in uncertain. If they find that future comes to be another scary present, those guns will be dusted off and shot again (for familiarities sake, and to feel the "power" again). If the future turns out to be pleasant and safe, as those forgotten guns are rediscovered, they will probably be sold off, possibly whilst feeling foolish and guilty for buying it to begin with.

Some may be kept, some may be shot, but most will just be forgotten now that the perceived threat has passed.

 

[The Glockodile]

If they find that future comes to be another scary present, those guns will be dusted off and shot again (for familiarities sake, and to feel the "power" again). If the future turns out to be pleasant and safe, as those forgotten guns are rediscovered, they will probably be sold off, possibly whilst feeling foolish and guilty for buying it to begin with.

Yesss!

We need to periodically reassure ourselves.

We like safe.

We like comfortable.

Safe and comfortable is good.

 

[WisBorn]

@citizenconn thanks for starting the thread.

My gut reaction is what started the buying spree of new gun owners? The pandemic? The political environment? Increased crime?

So my answer would be until the current culture changes. We will have these new owners continuing to be gun owners.

At the same time I would like to see a demographic and statistical breakdown of the new owners. I'm not sure if there is an accurate analysis out there.
# of women
# under 30
# of LGBTQ
# of black
# of Latino
Ext...
I would like to understand who are the new Gun Guys and Gals out there?

 

[The Glockodile]

At the same time I would like to see a demographic and statistical breakdown of the new owners.

SURVEY

Question: What demographic do you feel represents you, and how many guns do you own?

Concealed Firearm Permit Holder: What guns?

 

[wiscoaster]

Do you think the majority of these folks will remain long time gun owners and retain more than a casual interest; will they keep the guns but lose interest similar to those getting into new hobbies like juicing, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.

I think you're on target with that scenario and as to how many it might apply to has a lot to do with the other scenario you mentioned: if the threat perceived that instigated the gun purchase diminishes or goes away. And IMO I don't think that's a likely scenario, because I think it's going to get worse and probably much worse before it gets better, if it ever does, and does so in a short enough time span to affect their desire for gun ownership.

 

[TarDevil]

I see an alarming number of moderate liberals however who want to be pro gun but they believe in big government, socialized medicine, abortion, and a plethora of other liberal ideologies

They should be welcomed, not marginalized.

Personally, I want those who believe different than me to see the very best side of me. After that, things seem to fall in place.

 

[The Glockodile]

They should be welcomed, not marginalized.

Personally, I want those who believe different than me to see the very best side of me. After that, things seem to fall in place.

Indeed.

Unfortunately, most don't really want to hear that - and would much prefer demonizing "the other" as "he can't be a man if he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me."

 

[I6turbo]

... or will they sell the guns as soon as they perceive the threat that caused them to buy the guns to begin with has passed?

When do you think they might perceive the threat to have passed? Because I see the situation only staying the same or getting worse, not better.

And judging by the massive exodus from the $#itholes to the red states, or even to the rural areas of the blue states, a lot of other people have seen the writing on the wall as well. There's something wrong with our major institutions, and people know it.

The summer of 2020 showed people very clearly how quickly things can take a very serious turn for the worse. And look at what's happening today to the Supreme Court Justices. The Administration and some of the congress people were, for days, in effect encouraging some nutcase to kill them. People in GOVERNMENT were actively encouraging "protesters" to violate the law https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1507 by going to the justices houses. This summer will bring another round of Burn, Loot, and Murder prior to the elections. Just watch.

If someone finally realized in the past couple of years that their personal safety was ultimately up to them, and bought their first gun, I do not think they're going to be seeing things in the near future that make them go back to the moronic thinking that they just need to dial 911 to suddenly be safe when things get ugly. Are a lot of them going to become gun enthusiasts and embrace shooting as a new hobby? Probably not a huge percentage of them will. But actually selling their gun once they've integrated the notion into their lives of having a gun and being responsible for their own safety if/when push comes to shove? Not all that likely, IMO.

 

[citizenconn]

When do you think they might perceive the threat to have passed? Because I see the situation only staying the same or getting worse, not better.

The threat sure hasn't passed here in Houston. It just continues to get worse. Road rage shootings almost every day. One ethnic group seemingly intent on solving all conflicts with guns. Police being targeted and assassinated at unprecedented rates. Home invasion murders at an all time high. I honestly don't know how much longer I can live here. Several men and women who know I own guns have asked me to help them pick out guns and train them in self defense. And these are librarians, teachers, artists.

Besides the politics of it all, the large metropolitan areas in Texas are starting to resemble all the other Dem run sh!+holes. This happened Monday of this week here in Houston:
https://www.click2houston.com/news/...assed-by-group-of-teens-in-north-houston-hpd/

Meanwhile liberals keep moving here by the thousands, exacerbating the problem.

 

[plainsdrifter]

I hope them noobs start selling when they see the supremes and other courts are not going to take away 2A. Cus I need more slightly used guns. hehe
Got my first gun when I was 10, thats 56 years ago.

Personally not worried about 2A enough to where I would vote for a facist oligarch Putin loving traitor.
Plus if you like 2A and not having guberment telling you what you can and not have then you shouldn't want them telling women what they can do. Next they will tell women that cannot have a gun, or vote.