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How Many People Own Guns in America? And Is Gun Ownership Actually Declining?

Mar. 19, 2013 8:33am Madeleine Morgenstern

This article is part of a series on Guns in America that explores the use of firearms in our country and the debate over gun control. This is an editorially independent series sponsored by Tactical Firearms Training Secrets.

As the debate over new gun control measures rages on Capitol Hill and across America, lots of facts and figures get tossed around. What are the real gun ownership numbers in the United States? TheBlaze went looking.

How many guns are registered in America?

That’s a seemingly obvious question without a straightforward answer. There’s no universal gun registry, and thus not a simple way to pin down the exact number of firearms in the U.S.

There are estimates, however. According to the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey – the leading source of international public information about firearms – the U.S. has the best-armed civilian population in the world, with an estimated 270 million total guns. That’s an average of 89 firearms for every 100 residents — far ahead of Yemen, which comes in second with about 55 firearms for every 100 people, or Switzerland, which is third with 46 guns for every 100 people.

There are certain types of firearms that do require registration in the United States: those subject to the National Firearms Act, including machine guns, shotguns and rifles with barrels shorter than 18 inches, and silencers.

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which handles that registration, there were more than 3.1 million National Firearms Act-registered weapons in the U.S. as of March 2012. That includes more than 488,000 machine guns and more than 2 million “destructive devices” such as grenades, which are also classified under the law.

Some states also have their own gun registration requirements, as shown in the map below.

Graphic courtesy of TheBlaze TV’s Real News.

Are we seeing any trends in gun ownership?

Despite the high number of guns estimated to be in the U.S., indications are that gun ownership is actually on the decline. The long-running General Social Survey, maintained at the University of Chicago, has been asking about gun ownership since its inception in the 1970s. It has found that the number of people who say they have a gun in their home is at an all time low – hovering around 30 percent, from a high of 50 percent in the 1970s.

“When you see all the numbers, the overall pattern is quite clear,” Tom Smith, director of the General Social Survey, told TheBlaze.

Survey data shows self-reported gun ownership peaked at 53 percent in 1973 before seeing a fairly steady decline to 32 percent in 2010, the most recent year available. He cautioned singling any one year out, saying the numbers are better judged in the context of a whole: the 1970s averaged about 50 percent, the 1980s averaged 48 percent, the 1990s at 43 percent and 35 percent in the 2000s.

Smith pointed to several main factors responsible for the overall decrease in firearm ownership: a general decline in hunting, the rise of single-adult households and an overall drop off in crime.

Hunting, while still a major part of American life, has seen a decline in part because of urbanization.

The household effect is twofold: first, because fewer adults in the house mean fewer potential gun-owners, and second, that women are much less likely to own a firearm. “Millions of women of course do have firearms but their level is significantly lower than man,” Smith said.

Men are five times more likely than women to own a gun, and being married nearly doubles a person’s chance, according to surveys by Gallup.

Gallup polling from 2007 to 2012 found that gender, region of the country and marital status were some of the biggest predictors of whether an individual owned guns. In the South, 38 percent reported owning a gun, compared to 27 percent in the West or 21 percent in the Eastern U.S.

Editor’s note: On March 13, 2013 Real News from TheBlaze discussed gun registration. Click here to view the episode on demand.

–

Here are the other pieces in our ongoing Guns in America series (running every Tuesday) sponsored by Tactical Firearms Training Secrets:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (182)

M4-A1
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:25am
Love the picute of the hand gun an SR9 or Sr40 by Ruger. I have the Sr40c great hand gun one of the best on the market.

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- VAHomeschooler
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:42am
  Look closely at the slide. It is the SR9c. Indeed a fine weapon and my chosen carry piece. Ruger’s Rock. Luckily, for now, here in VA both the 10 round and 17 round mag are still legal. I’d hate to live in CO where the govenor is about to sign a bill that makes the 17 illegal. NY would be even worse. Nither may sold with that gun is legal there now.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Snake Oil Co
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:50am
  Well, I used to have a Ruger and an M&P AR….but I lost them years ago…..yeah….haven’t been able to find it as I told the Chicago surveyors.
  
  Report this comment
- injunjoe
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:11am
  Plus it’s made in the USA!
  
  Report this comment
- Gargent_Furball
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:19am
  I can have 20 rounds in my Beretta 9mm. Look out Bump Fire, yahoo
  
  Report this comment
- The Voice of Libertarian Reason
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:54am
  I am disappointed in the “reporting” from The Blaze:
  …shotguns and rifles with barrels shorter than 18 inches…
  Its actually 16 inches.
  
  Also if the number of gun owners is decreasing, and gun violence is increasing how will decreasing the number of gun owners further decrease the amount of gun violence?
  
  Report this comment
- GroundZero is Nuclear Demolition x3
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:10am
  An women’s joke: Whats the easiest thing to do? Punchline, Get a male to talk about himself.
  You are the **** of a joke.
  Speaking of jokes, Morgenstern certainly makes a joke of this article. The map states “states that require assault weapons registration”, ALL STATES REQUIRE ASSAULT WEAPON REGISTRATION AWs ARE FULL AUTO.
  
  Report this comment
- eaterofdead
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:16am
  its 16 rifle 18 shot gun, the guy got shot his shot in back. his wife killed son killed dog killed. his friend shot,.
  crime shot gun gun 17 3/4 inch.
  ya we are the feds we are to help you
  so much for being a know it all
  
  Report this comment
- oldguy49
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:22pm
  you guy’s…………..you should see the new scissors i got yesterday don’t have my carry permit for them yet but hopefully soon…………….
  
  Report this comment
- max00man
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:35pm
  I find the survey amusing… With the federal government demonizing gun ownership and the possibility of confiscation just exactly how many people do you think are going to answer honestly and say “Yep, I sure do own firearms; in fact non of them are registered and I own 3 of those so-called assault rifles”… Gimmie a break! I personally know several people that have purchased registered & unregistered firearms since Obama was elected. Even ones that voted for him!
  
  Report this comment
- The Voice of Libertarian Reason
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:46pm
  adding to my previous comment…
  
  Massachusetts also requires registration of handguns and long guns… I guess the top notch reports at The Blaze missed that too.
  
  Report this comment
- Trigus
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:44pm
  Sadly many Firearms owners lost their Firearms to: Floods, Hurricanes, Fires, Tornado’s. Yes, firearm ownership is on the decline. Thus, no need for the Liberal Leftist to ban what we do not have anymore.
  
  Only you can Make this Once Great Country, Great Again!
  
  2013 American Patriot Spring, Who will you stand with?
  
  The Distinction between Races is no more. I Am Not (Insert Race,) I Am an American!!! – Defenders of Liberty
  
  Report this comment
- Grey Eagle
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:54pm
  There are probably several million guns that no one knows anything about and people will NOT admit to having them.
  
  Report this comment
- Cemoto78
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:53pm
  I guarantee there will be a question on the next official census form asking the person if they own any guns or how many guns are there in the house and the government will threaten to prosecute if all the questions aren’t answered.
  
  Report this comment
- shimwood
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:54pm
  Just recently purchased a SR9, haven’t even shot it yet. Reason for purchase? Don’t know what’s going to come out of Washington and it seems the home invasions are on the increase. The background check took about 5 minutes and my wife and I walked out of the gun store with it ON A SUNDAY with a box of 9mm hollow points. Can’t register a gun with the state of Indiana but it is recorded and registered with the gun shop. Don’t intend to request a conceal to carry permit (at this time).
  
  Report this comment
- shimwood
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:56pm
  One more thing. The shop had a picture of Obummer with the caption “Greatest gun salesman of the Century” I thought that was great.
  
  Report this comment
- shimwood
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:08pm
  My wife and I recently purchased a SR9, haven’t shot it yet. Reason for purchase? Don’t know what might be coming out of Washington plus the home invasion rates seem to be on the rise. Just recently in the town I live in a guy answered his door and got shot in the head, police have no answers yet. The purchase was easy, about a 5 minute background check and we walked out of the store with it ON A SUNDAY with a box of 9mm hollow points. No registration with the state of Indiana, however it is recorded and registered with the gun shop. The BEST part of the purchase ….on the counter was a picture of Obummer with a caption “The greatest gun salesman of the century.”
  
  Report this comment
- det45
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:27pm
  You know why gun ownership is trending lower….It’s because everyone is buying their guns privately. I can assure you that gun ownership is at an ALL TIME HIGH, people just don’t want the government or local officials to know what they have. Billions and billions of guns are out there! MARK MY WORD!….Never never never brag or tell your neighbors what guns you have! If the government comes to get them people will rat you out for extra food stamps or an obummer phone. Buy your guns privately and keep them private!……det45
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:46pm
  “…Grey Eagle Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:54pm “There are probably several million guns that no one knows anything about and people will NOT admit to having them…”
  
  (In my absolute BEST Ehrkle voice)
  
  Wut chew talkin’ ’bout, Grey Eagle? You ain’t rilly sayin’ peeple’s gonna lie to da govmint, is you?
  
  (Ehrkle done)
  
  Amen to that, Grey Eagle.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:49pm
  Det .45 says, “…I can assure you that gun ownership is at an ALL TIME HIGH, people just don’t want the government or local officials to know what they have…”
  
  Well, for one I can say it’s no longer true for me. I burried all mine, then that darn GPS broke on me and the new one doesn’t have the waypoints in it! (BIG crocodile tears here :’( )
  
  Report this comment
- PASSIONFORCHRIST
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:54pm
  I believe the decline shows that AMERICANS that believe in the 2ND AMENDMENT aren’t telling they have one even if they do!
  
  Report this comment
PA_Iraq_Vet
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:25am
What guns?

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- FMJGunny
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:39am
  Live by ‘THE POLL’ – die by ‘THE POLL’
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae74oMMQ4ak
  
  IN JUST THE PAST FOUR YEARS MORE THAN 50 MILLION BACKGROUND CHECKS HAVE TAKEN PLACE.
  
  firearms owners have purchased enough weapons to ARM THE CHINESE, PAKISTAN, KOREA (N&S), IRAN, IRAQ and pretty much the rest of the world. and that are just background checks. Does anyone these days ONLY BUY ONE FIREARM ON ONE BACKGROUND CHECK?
  
  BWAHAHAHAHAHA
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:12am
  in history people that failed to produce a fire arm to confiscators were shot on the spot.
  
  Report this comment
- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:31pm
  In history, confiscators never had to face a heavily armed, 110 million man army that refuses to comply. We outnumber them by about 100:1. They start shooting us first, and we remove them and their government from our nation, raze the ground where they walked, and salt the earth around D.C.
  
  And that’s why the AWB part II just went down in flames in the Senate. ;)
  
  http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/03/19/Hasta-La-Vista-Assault-Weapon-Ban
  
  Report this comment
- termyt
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:31pm
  If anyone asks, I don’t own any guns. My intimate knowledge of several makes and models comes from watching crime dramas on TV.
  
  Report this comment
- guntotinsquaw
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:06pm
  That’s what I was thinking…what guns??? Do they really think we are answering the question?
  
  Report this comment
- JohnofOregon
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:22pm
  I’ll tell you what guns.
  
  The none of there damn business brand guns
  
  They better spend more time tracking down the guns the Feds gave to the Mexican drug cartels which included as an example over 200 three round burst m16′s. you know, the ones that requirea federal license to own.
  
  Report this comment
BAKLAR
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:20am
What guns? I only have my ‘ball point pen’ and make sure to keep my scissors locked in the safe with the other dangerous weapons, er, I mean …..’office supplies?

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- tajloc
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:33am
  keep your tummy full so you can vomit quickly…practice
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:36am
  A shooting range opened this past November less then five miles from my home. Another financial entity is looking to open one right down the street from home as well. YEP… gun possession is down alright.
  
  Report this comment
- HumbleMan
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:54am
  @STOIC On Saturday mornings, if you don’t want to wait an hour or three, you need to be at my range 1/2 hour before it opens. Definitely fewer people shooting.
  
  Report this comment
- willbedone
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:10am
  Don’t you have a trigger lock installed on your scissors? You could be found guilty of such laxness on your part and severely fined.
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:07am
  I am practicing my projectile vomiting and distance urination. And I plan on just saying No.
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:54am
  HUMBLEMAN
  
  Oh yeah, I forgot the shooting range @ the VFW ,on my street, has a very quiet shooting range.
  
  Report this comment
The_Veteran
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:19am
This story again? I think we all agreed last time that the reason their stats say ownership is down is because the people are not admitting they have guns anymore. Why would I want to tell some stranger whether or not I have firearms.

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- AmericanStrega
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:54am
  You got that right, Buddy!
  
  Report this comment
dublinthewagons
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:16am
With the gain in progressive idiots I can see why gun ownership is on the decline.
Progressives are too stupid to be trusted with a gun. That’s why most mass shootings are from progressives.

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cowboy357
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:14am
Yup less gun owners >>>>just a lot more people have taken up collecting ammo……

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- VRW Conspirator
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:56am
  Yes siree…I just went out last week and collected some more…and let me tell you…it is going up in price and down in stock because of all the collecting… Heck..even the US government is collecting about 1.5 Billion rounds of different caliber……
  I mean you know it must be a good investment if the government is doing it…..they after all don’t need it for anything right…that is what the military is for…
  
  Report this comment
One Man Mormon Blues Band
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:14am
It does not matter what the public opinion is. Every American has the right to own a gun because it is part of our written law founding this country. It does not matter what your opinion of the matter is, even if you are an elected representative in this country. The second amendment is our founding law and you cannot enact another law changing that, only a constitutional amendment can do that. Any limitation on the second amendment is illegal.

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Sargeking
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:11am
By the way, I love the registration map. That provides a perfect illustration of where the VAST majority of states are in full support of the U.S. Constitution and the human rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Thank you BLAZE. You guys rock! That being a given, I will remind everyone that this so-called gun poll is all smoke and mirrors. The bottom line is with the gun control freaks tramping on everyone’s personal security, people are keeping a low profile on exactly what they own. Wouldn’t you? I’ll tell you what. Let’s take a poll on how many anti-gunners run around with a whistle and a map to the nearest call box if they are attacked? LOL!

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- dublinthewagons
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:19am
  Right on sarge.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:54pm
  Although the map is wrong in that it misses a few states that require registrations via ‘permits to purchase’, which is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
  
  Report this comment
stumpygrim
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:08am
Yeah right, gun ownership is down, ammo sales are down,and my weight is down, yeah right….Any intellegent person is arming themselves right now in preperation for not just a gun grab,but like Beck alluded to last night,a money grab by either our govt.or a foreign govt. ie china.And the idea that everyday citizens are buying up ALL the ammunition,from .22 calibre to .50 calibre, is just plain b/s. In order to buy up that much ammo. within a few days,and keep it off the shelves for as long as it has been, would take millions,if not billions of dollars,and the only ones with that kind of scratch to pull that off,is either our own government, georgie porgie soros,mikey bloomin idiot bloomberg or warren buffet.Think about it,who wants to take away guns from law abiding citizens the most.

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:37am
  Well, we have 110 known gun owners, according to current gun owner data. The U.S. population is 351 million. Ok, so that’s 1/3-ish, and bears out the study right? Well, no, it doesn’t. Of that 351 million, there is a group which is prohibited by law from firearms ownership outright, and always have been, that is, kids 18 and under. According to census statistics for 2012, there are a combined 82 million people in these united States at or below the age of 19. Drop off 2 million to account for the 19 year olds and that’s 80 million kids. Also, we have ~7.3 million people in jail (felons) and legally unable to own, as well as released felons. That’s 89.9 million who cannot own legally. Guess what?
  
  Roughly speaking, of the 261.1 million remaining, 110 million own guns, or 42.14%. And that’s only for fools stupid enough to admit to strangers that they own firearms.
  
  Sorry statists, propaganda fail.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:05am
What you missed are states like Illinois that register gun owners instead of guns. Or states like North Carolina that require permits to purchase guns. so there are more states that require registration than that map would indicate.

Vote with your feet and leave these states who refuse to honor the letter of the Constitution!

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- normbal
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:17am
  “Registration” is a fungible term of art.
  
  In Maryland – where I reside for the time being – when you buy a “regulated firearm” this fact and the make/model/serial number go in a data base at the Staatspolizeibuero… ahem, the State Police Office. I know this for a first-hand fact, having checked once at a local office to ensure an NFA-registered gun I had sold was no longer in their files. The officer I spoke with very flippantly began reading off a list of other regulated firearms I owned, having purchased them in Maryland. All 39 of them (up until then).
  
  Make no mistake. Maryland DOES “register” guns, and they’re coming for them, one home at a time.
  
  Report this comment
- travlman77
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:25am
  North Carolina requires a purchaser to get a purchase permit from their local Sheriff. These are not tied to any gun and you can purchase multiple at one time. Also once you obtain your CCP you don’t need to get the permits to purchase anymore.
  
  And as a side note, I just received a courtesy reminder in the mail from my local Sheriffs department regarding my CCP expiring in June and if I wanted to avoid a lapse I needed to turn in the paperwork for renewal as soon as possible.
  
  Report this comment
- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:00am
  NC requires a “permit” to buy a gun?!? WTF?
  
  Dang people, get your house in order and get that **** repealed!
  
  Report this comment
Skeeterhawk
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:04am
What the survey shows more clearly is the fact that the folks being surveyed are not telling the surveyor the truth. Gun owners and proponents of the second amendment have been culled out by our Fearless Leader and are now being ridiculed and openly mocked and targeted for “special legislation” by gun haters. Anyone that would share any personal information about gun ownership today is a fool because they will be targets soon enough. You can simply research the actual production numbers of the big five firearm manufacturers and get an approximation on how firearm ownership has “dripped.”……..NOT Telling anyone if you own a firearm or how many you have is foolish in this day and time. Keep quiet. Buy ammo when you can.

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:14am
  Seriously, who in their right mind, in this day and age, would be stupid enough to answer a random stranger who calls their home asking “Hey, do you have guns?”. You don’t have to be even vaguely paranoid to realize the stupidity in answering.
  
  Here’s the deal. Gun sales are through the roof, every single one of us knows somebody who never owned before who has bought a firearm (starting in 2008 forward), and even before DHS started screwing with the ammo market it was hard to get reasonably priced ammo from demand. Now, I seriously doubt propaganda that tries to tell me that 110 million gun owners, which is up from 80 million gun owners in the early 1990′s, is somehow this massive decline in gun owners.
  
  Do these people even think we’re that gullible? Really?
  
  Report this comment
- GuruMeditation
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:39am
  The survey is likely incorrect. People with common sense would reply “NunYa” to such a survey question.
  
  Report this comment
SteelJewel
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:00am
As someone who owns a gun store I suggest that gun ownership is changing again, because I have sold guns to people who never would have owned one previously in fact we are and have been sold-out of both guns and ammo.

Something is happening and its all good.

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- VaARNG_Guardsman
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:09am
  Gun ownership is not on the decline…more people are shooting than ever before. If you don’t track private sales how does anyone know who has firearms?
  
  Have they considered that the overall population has gone up…..so even if there is a smaller percentage of people with guns, there still could be more. Classic manipulating the numbers for political benefit.
  
  Report this comment
- booger71
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:02am
  A indoor gun range near my house has a full parking lot everyday now. Where are these people getting their ammo? The shelves at every store that sells ammo has been empty for the last 3 months.
  
  Report this comment
- galaxie_man
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 1:03pm
  Sandy Hook is having opposite effect you might expect here in CT, but the MSM will never report it. I am witnessing it first hand as women, previously wanting nothing to do with firearms, are looking to get carry permits and their own firearms. The most surprising one in this group is my wife. She has the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting guide in her possession to study, and is doing the class with a couple of friends.
  
  Sniff……..makes a husband proud.
  
  Report this comment
Tlc3Terry
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:00am
Lol Is it just me or wasnt 73 the Carter era? I think the only reason these stats are dropping is because less Americans are telling someone on a survey if they own a firearm! Especially after the 94 assault weapons ban! And now these progressives are trying for an all out ban and their just trying to collect data on where they need to go when things totally break down!!!

God Help Us!

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AlwaysPissed
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:59am
Guns? What guns? We collect rocks and sharpen sticks for protection.

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- Al J Zira
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:24am
  I wish you hadn’t said that, you know they’ll be coming for the sticks next.
  
  Report this comment
Sargeking
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:58am
Another spurious spin poll. Just because people say they don’t have a gun in their home doesn’t mean that they don’t own 50! How many people never even answered the phone on this poll? If you want a good handle on how many guns people own, ask around. The chances are you will have a very hard time finding anyone who doesn’t own at least one gun. Even the Liberals own guns, although few will admit it. My advice to people is when the supply of .22 returns, BUY IT! Bullets are virtual money. They can always be traded for food, fuel, and water. The .22 is the most popular cartridge in the world with a yearly production of over two Billion rounds! The best book that I have everread on ammo is “Bullets Are Money”. It’s an e-book on Amazon.

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- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:07am
  2 billion rounds and none on the shelves….
  
  Report this comment
- CALLMEMSGT
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:38am
  Sarge-With a Lee Load all for $60.00 and $150.00 worth of powder, shot, wads and primers (if and when you can find them) a guy can load a **** load of 12 ga shells. Need hulls to load, get to know the janitor at the local PD firing range, he is the one sweeping them up and throwing them in the dumpster or check the dumpster yourself. I agree with you, the day may come when a half dozen rounds will get you a few dozen eggs.
  
  Report this comment
- zombieocracy
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:33pm
  Correct. The lowly .22 LR is good for all that ails you. If I owned a gun, that’d be the gun I’d own.
  
  Report this comment
mbck1491
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:57am
According to the above picture at least two people need to learn safe gun handling techniques.

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- Sargeking
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:05am
  MBCK: Of course you have no idea but the pictured gun is a Ruger SR9 with striker fire. If you’ll notice there is no finger on the trigger. This gun will not fire unless the Glock style (two-stage) trigger is pulled. The difference here is that I’m a gun expert and you look pretty ignorant on the subject. You might consider joining a shooting club. They are good people and for sure you need some schooling. By the way, at a gun store the gun broker wouldn’t hand-off a loaded pistol to begin with. Just so you know.
  
  Report this comment
- Welcome Black Carter
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:39am
  Sargeking,
  You know nothing. I think having “sarge” in your name fulfills some kind of fantasy.
  
  Report this comment
- Sargeking
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 1:42pm
  WELCOMEBACKIGNORANCE: Exactly what is that I don’t know, pray tell? LOL!
  
  Report this comment
- TheOldMan
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 2:43pm
  A good shooting instructor would rip their ears off if he saw a gun handed over that way!
  
  Report this comment
- Sargeking
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 4:21pm
  OLDERMAN: Then I suppose when you see a gun you run off to find the nearest adult? LOL!
  
  Report this comment
Rickfromillinois
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:56am
I am one of those who if asked if I had a firearm in my house would say “no”. I am sure that there are some gun grabbing liberals who would call me paranoid, but I am suspicious of anyone who asks me questions like that. Is there a record kept if I say “yes” and could I be setting myself up for a knock on the door someday from someone from the government there to collect my guns? Could the person saying that they are conducting a survey actually be trolling for places to rob? But most of all, IT”S NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS! Another factor that I don’t think that they take into account is that more people have less trust in the government then 30 or 40 years ago, so will not say ‘yes”.

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- jcldwl
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:02am
  Why would anyone even consider answering a question like that from anyone phone or face to face. That is one thing you need to start keeping private. Don’t display NRA anything. It just makes you a target.
  
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- naughtycal
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:11am
  Exactly Rick I too tell the government nothing as well. And if I don’t give information its blantantly false. Last year a census worker came to my door and and exscorted them off my property with and said one simple word. 4
  He came back a week later with two co -workers stating they had a right to know which four people lived here and I told them they were trespassing and to bring a warrant that I have a rights and know them as well. Never heard from them again.
  Point being I love my country and what it stands for that’s why I hate the government in its current tyrant authoritarian formation and I wouldn’t trust as far as I could throw it.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:53am
Now why should we trust any polling data given the ease in which the questions and data can all too easily manipulated to meet a personal agenda?

We are seeing all too many articles presented in the news involving guns, almost always in a truly negative light; and I am wondering if someone – in or out of the admin – is trying to set us all up?

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- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:05am
  The only true decline is in the amount of people willing to talk about the guns they own to a pollster. It doesn’t matter if only one person decided to own a gun, the government and the retarded people that elect them have no right to infringe on that ownership.
  
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Shoot2Stop
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:51am
Let’s see if I have this right. The phone rings and some stranger asks if you own a gun. I know how I’d answer that question.

I suspect the ‘seeming’ decline in gun ownership closely parallels the public’s trust in government.

.

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- jcldwl
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:59am
  I agree and I would say the numbers are skewed also to show fewer owners so why not just get rid of the guns. It’s all a propaganda campaign.
  
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- mikem1969
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:00am
  You nailed it. Why on earth with all the new laws restricting law abiding citizens gun ownership why on earth would I let anyone know I have anything? Heck if the FBI knocked on my door and asked me if I owned a gun I would first ask if they had a search warrant. If the answer was no, the door would slam shut telling them to go away and not come back. If they answered yes well then I would open my gun safe and tell the my guns were lost on a hunting trip.
  
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- jettson
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:04am
  The answer is no I don’t have a gun. People don’t give in answer this with NO I don’t have a gun. A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED. This is the only answer. Save America.
  
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- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:10am
  mike-
  at this point, i could care less if they have a warrant. The new trend is to serve warrant via swat team crashing through your door. They wont ask you.
  
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- starman70
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:13am
  Obviously, the ignoramus who authored this drivel hasn’t been to a gun store or chain outlet to purchase either a gun or ammunition. Manufacturers are swamped with orders and absolutely can’t keep up with sales. Exactly who is he trying to convince?
  
  He cites a “Drop in Crime”? What planet is he from, which galaxy? The incidence of home invasions, many by armed criminals, is on the rise. Thughs concentrating, for the most part, on houses where single women and elderly couples live. Many of these incidents include great physical harm or even death to the homeowner.
  
  The author of this piece needs to just go to Colorado, buy rape whistles for his wife and daughters, (If any), alarm boxes in his neighborhood and then go and lose himself in a haze of pot smoke – - – that is if he already hasn’t done so.
  
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- stewie12
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:43am
  Yep
  
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MisterSarcastic
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:47am
Never owned a gun would be my answer to any phone survey about gun ownership although i have probably 15 pistols, rifles and shotguns.
I don’t consider that to be a lie. It’s just my way of telling them it’s none of their freaking business.

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- Gonzo
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:23am
  Who needs a gun with all those call boxes out there?
  
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iszatright
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:47am
I don’t believe this poll for a minute. Who in their right mind would answer “yes” to someone alleging to be a pollster calling on the phone asking if you’re a firearms owner?

Firearms and ammo have disappeared from the dealer shelves. Manufacturers are back ordered and working at full production. I’ve spoken to new gun owners at every store and show I’ve been to, both men and women. Hell, “That Guy” was voted “Gun Salesperson of the Year” by most retailers. If gun ownership were truly down, the shelves wouldn’t be empty.

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Grasshopper42
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:46am
Loose lips sink ships . . . just saying.

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:43am
,
How Many People Own Guns in America?

Enough to be a problem if you mess with us…….

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huey6367
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:41am
I am about to become the next American to own a gun. So add a one to the gun owner column. Don’t currently own one but I feel I should get one before they won’t let me have one. Any suggestions?

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- Grasshopper42
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:48am
  A 12 gauge shotgun and a 9mm pistol.
  
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- MisterSarcastic
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:53am
  I would recommend an NRA sanctioned gun safety course first. The instructors there can offer you multiple choices to see which one you like and suits your needs best. I also recommend you pay attention to the safety part. It’s the most important thing you’ll ever learn about guns.
  
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- ...EriK
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:05am
  I tend to agree with Grasshopper42, but would like to frame it somewhat differently…
  
  1) If looking for personal protection, go with Grasshopper42;
  2) If looking for an investment, go with the “assault weapons” list;
  3) If looking to maintain your “law-abiding citizen” status the longest, go with a bolt action, 22 rifle… or longer still, a sling (not to be confused with a slingshot – that might be on Feinstein’s list).
  
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- 338lapua
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:08am
  Why do you want it? If you are not proficient, I would lean towards something simple and effective. Pump 12 gauge…..Mossberg 500 is popular and well configured and will not set you back too far. Handguns…….you cannot get ammo for the really common stuff 9mm and .40. .45 I am seeing some here and there, Get a handgun in a caliber that you can get some ammo at the same time. I don’t mean a box of 20. If you will conceal it,go smaller, home defense the full size pistols feel great in the hand and are more forgiving. Taurus makes some very nice economy minded pistols and revolvers and has the best warranty in the industry(that I am aware of). Glock is the gold standard of grab and shoot,but more pricey. And if you decide on a 1911, don’t do it unless you buy one of the non-economy models. I love a good 1911, I (borderline) hate the cheap ones. They are still 1911′s but they just need so much tweaking to really make them comfortable. Night sights or a laser are nice. I consider night sights essential, even for critters in my neck of the woods…..they all move at dusk or later. A good safe bet is the shotgun, you CAN get ammo right now. Fire it LOTS, until you just know when you hold it what to do. Keep it nice and clean. Good luck.
  
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- CALLMEMSGT
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:55am
  The Taurus Judge is always a good option, a little less accuracy needed with 000 buck. Since you can fire shot gun shells you would also have the option to buy a shotgun and have two guns that take the same ammo. Same if you bought a .22 revolver. I prefer revolvers over Semi-Autos, especially for beginners. Revolvers don’t jam, pull the trigger they go boom. You may also want to consider the price of ammo. If you want to put a thousand rounds on the shelf, .22′s are affordable. Whatever you buy, practice, practice, practice. Get good safety training also.
  
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chrisad
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:39am
Or… could it be that the population trusts the gov’t or “researchers” less and less each year. If asked, I would probably deny having a gun.

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- Grasshopper42
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:48am
  That’s right . . .
  
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- StanW
  Posted on March 19, 2013 at 8:57am
  EXACTLY! My wife made me promise not tell anyone when acquired my first gun a couple of months ago. But hey, I trust you guys! :)
  
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