Gun Ownership By State Statistics
The table below gives the gun ownership breakdown for each US state with data coming from Data Panda.
| State | Gun Ownership Rate |
|---|---|
| Montana | 66.30% |
| Wyoming | 66.20% |
| Alaska | 64.50% |
| Idaho | 60.10% |
| West Virginia | 58.50% |
| Arkansas | 57.20% |
| Mississippi | 55.80% |
| Alabama | 55.50% |
| South Dakota | 55.30% |
| North Dakota | 55.10% |
| Oklahoma | 54.70% |
| Kentucky | 54.60% |
| Louisiana | 53.10% |
| Tennessee | 51.60% |
| Oregon | 50.80% |
| Vermont | 50.50% |
| South Carolina | 49.40% |
| Georgia | 49.20% |
| Kansas | 48.90% |
| Missouri | 48.80% |
| Nevada | 47.30% |
| Maine | 46.80% |
| Utah | 46.80% |
| Arizona | 46.30% |
| New Mexico | 46.20% |
| North Carolina | 45.80% |
| Texas | 45.70% |
| Wisconsin | 45.30% |
| Nebraska | 45.20% |
| Colorado | 45.10% |
| Indiana | 44.80% |
| Virginia | 44.60% |
| Iowa | 43.60% |
| Minnesota | 42.80% |
| Washington | 42.10% |
| New Hampshire | 41.10% |
| Pennsylvania | 40.70% |
| Michigan | 40.20% |
| Ohio | 40.00% |
| Florida | 35.30% |
| Delaware | 34.40% |
| Maryland | 30.20% |
| California | 28.30% |
| Illinois | 27.80% |
| Connecticut | 23.60% |
| New York | 19.90% |
| Hawaii | 14.90% |
| Rhode Island | 14.80% |
| Massachusetts | 14.70% |
| New Jersey | 14.70% |
What Percentage of Americans Own Guns?
The table below comes from a 2020 Gallup poll.
Overall, 32% of US adults own a gun and 44% of people live in a gun-owning household.
Moreover, it is estimated that there 120.5 firearms per 100 people in the US, which would imply there are just over 400 million total guns in the United States.
Here’s breakdown by various groups:
| Personally own a gun % | Live in gun household % | |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | 32 | 44 |
| Gender | ||
| Men | 45 | 51 |
| Women | 19 | 35 |
| Age | ||
| 18-29 | 22 | 38 |
| 30-49 | 35 | 45 |
| 50-64 | 32 | 45 |
| 65+ | 36 | 48 |
| Education | ||
| Postgraduate | 26 | 36 |
| College graduate only | 35 | 50 |
| Some college | 34 | 48 |
| No college | 31 | 41 |
| Household income | ||
| $100,000+ | 38 | 55 |
| $40,000 to <$100,000 | 34 | 51 |
| <$40,000 | 25 | 31 |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| White (non-Hispanic) | 38 | 51 |
| Non-White | 18 | 28 |
| Region | ||
| East | 21 | 28 |
| Midwest | 34 | 50 |
| South | 40 | 53 |
| West | 26 | 38 |
| Type of community | ||
| Big/Small city | 23 | 32 |
| Suburb of big/small city | 25 | 41 |
| Town/Rural area | 48 | 61 |
| Marital status | ||
| Married | 38 | 52 |
| Not married | 25 | 36 |
| Children | ||
| Have child under 18 | 36 | 48 |
| No child under 18 | 30 | 42 |
| Party ID | ||
| Republican | 50 | 64 |
| Independent | 29 | 39 |
| Democrat | 18 | 31 |
| Ideology | ||
| Conservative | 45 | 57 |
| Moderate | 29 | 41 |
| Liberal | 15 | 30 |
Why do so many Americans own guns compared to other countries?
The high rate of gun ownership in the United States compared to other countries stems from a combination of historical, cultural, legal, and social factors:
1. Historical Roots
- The U.S. was founded during a time when self-reliance and militias were vital for survival and defense. The country’s early frontier lifestyle required firearms for hunting and protection.
- The Second Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, enshrines the right to bear arms, reflecting the historical importance of armed citizens in resisting tyranny and maintaining personal security.
2. Cultural Identity
- Gun ownership is deeply ingrained in American culture. For many, guns symbolize individualism, self-reliance, and personal freedom.
- In rural areas, firearms are often seen as tools for hunting, sport, and protection, passed down through generations as part of family tradition.
3. Legal Framework
- The U.S. has relatively permissive gun laws compared to many other countries. Federal regulations and state-level laws vary widely, but ownership is generally easier and more widespread.
- Court rulings, such as the landmark Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), have affirmed an individual’s right to own firearms for self-defense.
4. Gun Industry and Lobbying
- The firearm manufacturing industry in the U.S. is significant, producing millions of guns annually. This ensures a steady supply and availability of firearms.
- Organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA) advocate for gun rights and actively oppose stricter gun control measures, influencing public opinion and policymaking.
5. Perceptions of Safety
- Many Americans view gun ownership as a means of ensuring personal safety, particularly in areas where law enforcement response times may be slow.
- High-profile events like mass shootings, while tragic, can sometimes lead to increased gun sales as people feel the need to arm themselves for protection.
6. Lack of Uniform Gun Control
- Unlike many countries that have nationwide gun regulations, the U.S. has a patchwork of federal, state, and local laws. This lack of uniformity often results in easier access to firearms in some regions.
7. Media and Pop Culture
- Guns are frequently portrayed in American movies, TV shows, and video games, contributing to their normalization in everyday life.
Comparisons to Other Countries
- Countries with strict gun control laws, such as Japan, the UK, and Australia, have far fewer guns per capita and lower gun-related violence. These nations often emphasize collective security over individual gun rights.
- In many countries, the lack of a constitutional right to bear arms and stricter regulations limit civilian gun ownership.
Here’s another look at the same data from everythingaboutmaps:
What do you think about the issue?
Leave a Reply