Gun Ownership

Americans own over 255-million guns.

Four-out-of-ten Americans have at least one gun at home. This number has decreased from the late-1960s when five-out-of-ten Americans had a gun in the home.

Most gun owners (66%) own more than one gun. Almost one-third of gun owners (29%) own five or more guns.

Reasons (one or more) for owning a gun include protection (67%), hunting (38%), sports shooting (30%), collecting (13%), and work (8%).

When at home, almost four-out-of-ten gun owners (38%) keep a gun loaded and close. Away from home, a quarter of gun owners (26%) carry a gun all or most of the time.

Gun manufacturing/ownership in America has soared over the last 30 years (3-million guns manufactured in 1986; 9-million in 2015), though exports have remained relatively small and consistent at around 300,000 guns. Importation of guns, likewise, soared during this 30-year period (700,000 guns in 1986; 5-million in 2015).

According to a 2012 United States Government Office of Accountability study, Utahns likely pack much more heat than other Americans, as indicated by the number of conceal-carry permits issued. The ratio of active permit holders per every 100 adults in Utah is 19.3. The next highest states are Georgia (11.5), South Dakota (10.6), Indiana (8.7),  and Pennsylvania (8.3). (Note: five states do not issue conceal-carry permits--Alabama, Illinois, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Vermont).

This is the first in a series of articles on guns. To see the next in the series go here.