A recent nationwide survey has uncovered a significant shift in American gun ownership patterns, with an estimated 65 million people now owning firearms primarily for protection. This figure represents about 80% of the country’s 81 million gun owners, marking a substantial increase from previous years and reshaping the demographic landscape of firearm ownership in the United States.
Changing Face of Gun Ownership
The study, published in the journal Injury Prevention, draws on data from the National Firearm Attitudes and Behaviors Study conducted in May and June 2023. Among the 2,477 respondents who reported owning a firearm, a striking 79% cited protection as their primary motivation.
This trend is particularly noteworthy among demographics not traditionally associated with gun ownership. Women, Black, and Hispanic individuals were more likely to own firearms for protection than for other reasons. The survey revealed that 99% of Black and Asian women who owned guns did so for protection, while 88.5% of Black men cited protection as their primary reason, compared to 70% of White men.
Dr. Jason Hickel, a researcher involved in the study, noted: “Rising rates of firearm ownership among non-traditional firearm-owning groups, particularly members of historically marginalised populations, may reflect a growing desire to protect against external threats, such as hate crimes.”
Impact of Stand Your Ground Laws
The research also explored the influence of Stand Your Ground (SYG) laws on gun ownership and carrying behaviors. While ownership for protection wasn’t significantly higher in states with SYG laws, gun owners in these states were more likely to carry their firearms outside the home – 50% compared to 35% in states without such legislation.
“SYG laws specifically affect the legal right to use deadly force for self-defence in public places, and therefore, increased firearm carriage might be a mechanism by which states with SYG laws have contributed to higher rates of firearm violence,” the researchers suggest.
The study found that 58% of gun owners reported carrying a firearm outside their home in the past 12 months. However, only 5% of firearm owners reported carrying their gun specifically for protection, despite the majority citing protection as their reason for ownership. This discrepancy may be due to social pressures affecting people’s willingness to be honest about their behaviors and motivations.
Why it matters: This shift in gun ownership patterns has significant implications for public health, policy, and social dynamics in the United States. With firearms causing nearly 49,000 deaths in 2021 – the highest absolute number on record – understanding the motivations behind gun ownership is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions.
The changing demographics of gun ownership also reflect broader societal trends and concerns. The increase in women and minority gun owners suggests a growing perception of vulnerability among these groups, which may be linked to wider social and political factors.
However, the study has limitations. The relatively small sample size and potential sampling biases mean the findings may not capture the full spectrum of firearm owners and their characteristics. Additionally, the study doesn’t address causality or determine the specific reasons why respondents own firearms for protection.
As the landscape of gun ownership continues to evolve, further research will be needed to understand the long-term implications of these trends. Policy makers, public health officials, and community leaders will need to grapple with the complex interplay between perceived safety needs, gun legislation, and public health outcomes.
The researchers conclude that the simultaneous relaxing of concealed carry laws and strengthening of self-defence laws may be reinforcing firearm behaviors for protection, particularly carriage in public places. This observation underscores the need for a nuanced approach to gun policy that balances public safety concerns with individual rights and perceived protection needs.
