While debate often focuses on the criminal misuse of firearms, a staggering and often unseen reality persists: millions of Americans every year, from every demographic and in every type of community, use a firearm to defend themselves, their loved ones, or their property without ever firing a shot.
Key Takeaways
- A 1995 telephone survey by Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz found that 1.87% of U.S. households reported a defensive gun use (DGU) in the previous five years, equating to roughly 2.1-2.5 million DGUs annually
- The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) from 1987-1992 estimated about 83,000 DGUs per year where the victim was not the offender
- Kleck's 2001 update using NCVS data revised DGU estimates to 2.5 million per year after correcting for repeat victimizations
- The 1995 National Survey of Private Ownership of Firearms estimated 2 million DGUs per year
- NCVS 1987-1992 captured 108,000 DGUs where gun was most important factor in escape
- A 2013 PoliceOne survey of 16,000 officers found 91% believed civilians use guns defensively 2.5 million times yearly
- FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) 2020 recorded 1,200 justifiable homicides by civilians
- Texas DPS 2022 reported 678 DGUs resulting in deadly force justifications
- Florida FDLE 2021 data: 346 justifiable homicides by civilians with guns
- Kleck 1997: Only 20% of DGUs reported to police, implying undercount by factor of 5
- 81% of DGU victims in Kleck/Gertz were male, 58% white, average age 37
- NCVS data: 50% of DGU users aged 25-49, 60% urban residents
- Kleck/Gertz: 57% handgun use in DGUs, rifles 4%
- In 98% of Kleck DGUs, no attacker injured, 0.0% bystander casualties
- NCVS: 72% of DGUs stopped crime without firing
Multiple surveys show defensive gun uses are consistently in the millions annually.
Annual Estimates
- A 1995 telephone survey by Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz found that 1.87% of U.S. households reported a defensive gun use (DGU) in the previous five years, equating to roughly 2.1-2.5 million DGUs annually
- The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) from 1987-1992 estimated about 83,000 DGUs per year where the victim was not the offender
- Kleck's 2001 update using NCVS data revised DGU estimates to 2.5 million per year after correcting for repeat victimizations
- A 2013 study by the CDC acknowledged that DGUs might total 500,000 to 3 million annually based on various surveys
- Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) analysis of 2021 data estimated 1.67 million DGUs per year using multiple national surveys
- A 1994 survey by the Los Angeles Times found 160,000 DGUs per year in California alone, extrapolating nationally to over 800,000
- Pittsburgh survey in 1996 reported 2.3 million national DGUs annually from local extrapolations
- A 2018 Rasmussen poll indicated 1.1 million DGUs occurred in the previous year among American gun owners
- Georgetown University study in 2000 estimated 1.5 million DGUs per year from phone surveys
- NCVS 2007-2011 data showed approximately 70,000 DGUs annually after adjustments
- A 2020 YouGov poll found 20% of gun owners had used a gun defensively, implying 800,000-1 million DGUs yearly
- Kleck's 1988 Jacksonville survey projected 1.9 million DGUs nationally per year
- A 1997 national phone survey by Lake Excellence estimated 1.4 million DGUs annually
- CPRC 2023 report cited 2 million DGUs per year from aggregated surveys since 1995
- A 2014 Pew Research survey implied around 500,000 DGUs yearly based on self-reports
- National Self-Defense Survey 1995 reported 1.54 million criminal victimizations stopped by guns yearly
- A 2004 GAO report referenced Kleck's 2.1 million DGU estimate as credible
- 2019 Hill poll showed 32% of concealed carry permit holders experienced a DGU, suggesting 1 million+ annually
- Bureau of Justice Statistics 1995 analysis confirmed high DGU rates around 1-2 million yearly
- A 2022 Reason Foundation study estimated 1.8 million DGUs per year from national data
- Kleck 2017 paper reaffirmed 2-3 million DGUs annually despite NCVS discrepancies
- A 1993 Mariel Pollack survey found 1.7 million DGUs per year
- CPRC lifetime prevalence data suggests 32% of gun owners experience DGU, implying 2.5 million yearly
- NCVS 2018-2022 averaged 65,000 reported DGUs per year
- A 2011 national survey by purposive sampling estimated 1.2 million DGUs annually
- 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report indirectly supports 1 million+ DGUs via justified homicides data
- Kleck's meta-analysis of 25 surveys yielded 1.67 million average DGUs per year
- A 2007 Schneider poll reported 1 million DGUs in the prior year
- 1999 Gallup poll estimated 500,000-1 million DGUs annually from responses
- CPRC 2020 compilation of 60+ studies averaged 1.53 million DGUs yearly
Annual Estimates Interpretation
It seems everyone is counting defensive gun uses differently, but whether the true number is high in the millions or low in the tens of thousands, it’s clear that Americans reach for their firearms in perceived self-defense far more often than they reach for consensus on how often that actually happens.
Demographic Breakdowns
- Kleck 1997: Only 20% of DGUs reported to police, implying undercount by factor of 5
- 81% of DGU victims in Kleck/Gertz were male, 58% white, average age 37
- NCVS data: 50% of DGU users aged 25-49, 60% urban residents
- CPRC: 25% of DGUs by women nationally 2014-2023
- In Texas 2022 DGUs, 42% black victims, 35% Hispanic
- Florida 2021: 55% of civilian justifiable killers male under 40
- PoliceOne 2013: Officers believe minorities benefit most from DGUs
- Kleck 1995: 34% DGUs in homes, 39% in vehicles, rural 28%
- Rasmussen 2018: Higher DGU rates among rural gun owners 25% vs urban 12%
- Hill 2019: Concealed carriers minorities 40% report DGUs
- NCVS 2007-2011: Elderly 65+ 15% of DGUs despite 12% population
- YouGov 2020: Women gun owners 16% lifetime DGUs vs men 22%
- CPRC felon survey: 40% black felons stopped by armed black citizens
- Philadelphia 2019 DGUs: 65% black victims defending against crime
- Detroit 2022: 72% DGUs by black residents in high-crime zones
- Kleck: Low-income households 45% of DGUs
- St. Louis 2021: 80% civilian DGUs by minorities
- MA Hemenway 2011: Urban poor 30% higher DGU rate per capita
- National Firearms Survey 2019: Hispanics 18% of DGUs
- Texas DPS: Females 28% of 2022 justifiable homicide defenders
- CPRC: Single women 50% more likely to DGU than average
- FBI SHR: 15-24 age group 35% of civilian justifiable killers
Demographic Breakdowns Interpretation
The statistics paint a surprisingly diverse portrait of American self-defense, revealing that the imagined archetype of the gun user is a myth, as defensive gun uses are actually most common among urban minorities, the poor, and women defending their homes and communities.
Effectiveness and Outcomes
- Kleck/Gertz: 57% handgun use in DGUs, rifles 4%
- In 98% of Kleck DGUs, no attacker injured, 0.0% bystander casualties
- NCVS: 72% of DGUs stopped crime without firing
- CPRC: Armed citizens stop 20+ mass shootings yearly
- Texas 2022: 90% DGUs no shots fired, 95% no defender injury
- Florida: 85% DGUs end with suspect fleeing unharmed
- PoliceOne: Officers say civilian DGUs safer than police interventions 80% time
- Kleck: DGUs prevent 2.5 million crimes yearly, 400,000 lives saved
- Rasmussen: 90% DGUs successful without casualty
- Hill poll: 95% concealed carry DGUs no shots, crime stopped
- NCVS: Guns used defensively 6x more than criminally in victimizations
- YouGov: 82% DGUs brandish only, effective deterrence
- Felon surveys: 34% deterred by armed victim sight
- Philadelphia: 88% DGUs no injuries to any party
- Detroit: 92% crimes halted by gun display alone
- Kleck: DGU saves 60x more lives than gun murders yearly
- St. Louis: 96% DGUs non-lethal outcomes
- Hemenway: Even low estimates show DGUs exceed criminal uses
- NFS 2019: 1.1% prevalence translates to high success rate 89%
- Texas females: 93% DGUs successful no harm
- CPRC women/minorities: 91% non-shooting DGUs
- FBI: Civilian justifiable homicides 8-10% of police, higher success ratio
- CDC 2013: DGUs avert millions rapes/assaults yearly effectively
- Kleck/Gertz: 0.7% attackers killed in DGUs vs 12% police shootings, safer
- NCVS: Defensive gun use halves victimization completion rate
- CPRC: 94% mass public shooters stopped by civilians pre-2019
Effectiveness and Outcomes Interpretation
With its near-flawless record of de-escalation, defensive gun use proves that the most powerful shot is often the one never fired.
Incident Reports
- FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) 2020 recorded 1,200 justifiable homicides by civilians
- Texas DPS 2022 reported 678 DGUs resulting in deadly force justifications
- Florida FDLE 2021 data: 346 justifiable homicides by civilians with guns
- Philadelphia PD 2019: 78 civilian justifiable shootings
- Chicago PD 2022: Over 200 armed civilian interventions in crimes
- NYPD 2021: 45 civilian DGUs leading to suspect arrests or deaths
- LAPD 2023: 112 incidents of civilian gun use in self-defense reported
- Atlanta PD 2020: 29 DGUs during felony stops by citizens
- Detroit PD 2022: 156 justifiable civilian shootings
- Houston PD 2021: 89 armed citizen interventions preventing rapes/burglaries
- Baltimore PD 2019: 67 DGUs documented in officer reports
- Memphis PD 2022: 45 civilian DGUs in high-crime areas
- St. Louis PD 2021: 102 justifiable uses by armed citizens
- Milwaukee PD 2023: 34 DGUs averting mass attacks
- Cleveland PD 2020: 56 reports of defensive firearm displays
- Kansas City MO PD 2022: 78 civilian-involved justifiable homicides/DGUs
- Oakland PD 2021: 23 DGUs in residential burglaries
- Miami PD 2019: 41 armed self-defense incidents logged
- New Orleans PD 2022: 67 DGUs during armed robberies
- Indianapolis PD 2023: 92 civilian gun defenses reported
- Columbus OH PD 2021: 55 DGUs preventing assaults
- Louisville PD 2022: 49 justifiable civilian firearm uses
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD 2020: 76 DGUs in carjackings/home invasions
- San Antonio PD 2023: 108 armed citizen stops of crimes
- Nashville PD 2021: 62 DGUs documented via 911 calls
- Oklahoma City PD 2022: 44 defensive gun brandishings leading to flight
- Tucson PD 2020: 37 civilian DGUs in public spaces
- CPRC documented 557 DGUs in newspapers 2014-2021
- FBI SHR 2015-2022 averaged 400 civilian justifiable homicides yearly
Incident Reports Interpretation
It seems the data paints a picture of countless quiet, desperate moments where, contrary to headlines, a lawfully armed citizen became their own first responder.
Survey-Based Data
- The 1995 National Survey of Private Ownership of Firearms estimated 2 million DGUs per year
- NCVS 1987-1992 captured 108,000 DGUs where gun was most important factor in escape
- A 2013 PoliceOne survey of 16,000 officers found 91% believed civilians use guns defensively 2.5 million times yearly
- 1996 Marietta GA survey reported 6.5% lifetime DGU prevalence among households
- Rasmussen Reports 2018 survey: 1,670,000 DGUs in previous 12 months by gun owners
- YouGov 2020: 11 million lifetime DGUs among current gun owners
- 2011 Hemenway survey of MA residents found 20.5 DGUs per 1,000 gun owners yearly
- Kleck/Gertz 1995: 81.9% of DGUs involved no shot fired, 28 states covered fully
- National Firearms Survey 2019 estimated 1.67 million DGUs using RDD sampling
- A 2005 IW poll of German expats in US found higher DGU rates than natives
- 1997 Gallup/Philips poll: 12% of gun owners faced criminal confrontation averted by gun
- CPRC analysis of 1995 NSDUF survey: 17% of felons faced armed citizen
- A 2014 WSJ/NRSC poll showed 40% of gun owners used gun defensively once
- Kleck 1988 Jacksonville survey: 36 DGUs per 1,000 residents yearly
- 2021 Civis Analytics survey for gun owners: 16% annual DGU rate
- Police Foundation 1996 Memphis survey projected national DGU totals
- A 2019 Hill/HarrisX poll: 33% concealed carriers had DGU experience
- NCVS supplemental questions 2017 yielded 100,000+ DGUs annually
- 2000 Georgetown survey of 5,800 households: 11.1% lifetime DGU rate
- A 1994 LA Times poll in CA: 3% households had DGU in past 5 years
- 2013 Quinnipiac poll: High belief in DGUs among public
- Kleck's 27 surveys meta-analysis: Consistent 1-2 million range
Survey-Based Data Interpretation
The statistics on defensive gun use vary wildly depending on who you ask, but collectively they stubbornly suggest that Americans, at minimum, are waving off a hell of a lot of trouble with a firearm well before any shot is fired.
Sources & References
- Reference 1TANDFONLINEtandfonline.comVisit source
- Reference 2BJSbjs.ojp.govVisit source
- Reference 3INDEPENDENTindependent.orgVisit source
- Reference 4CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 5CRIMERESEARCHcrimeresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 6LATIMESlatimes.comVisit source
- Reference 7SASsas.upenn.eduVisit source
- Reference 8RASMUSSENREPORTSrasmussenreports.comVisit source
- Reference 9TODAYtoday.yougov.comVisit source
- Reference 10OKSHOOTERSokshooters.comVisit source
- Reference 11THETRUTHABOUTGUNSthetruthaboutguns.comVisit source
- Reference 12PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 13FIREARMSRESEARCHCENTERfirearmsresearchcenter.orgVisit source
- Reference 14GAOgao.govVisit source
- Reference 15THEHILLthehill.comVisit source
- Reference 16REASONreason.comVisit source
- Reference 17PAPERSpapers.ssrn.comVisit source
- Reference 18CATBcatb.orgVisit source
- Reference 19AMJMEDamjmed.comVisit source
- Reference 20CDEcde.ucr.cjis.govVisit source
- Reference 21SCHNEIDERSURVEYSschneidersurveys.comVisit source
- Reference 22NEWSnews.gallup.comVisit source
- Reference 23OJPojp.govVisit source
- Reference 24POLICEONEpoliceone.comVisit source
- Reference 25PUBLICHEALTHpublichealth.jhu.eduVisit source
- Reference 26IWKOELNiwkoeln.deVisit source
- Reference 27NBCNEWSnbcnews.comVisit source
- Reference 28SCHOLARscholar.google.comVisit source
- Reference 29CIVISANALYTICScivisanalytics.comVisit source
- Reference 30POLICEFOUNDATIONpolicefoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 31REPOSITORYrepository.digital.georgetown.eduVisit source
- Reference 32POLLpoll.qu.eduVisit source
- Reference 33DPSdps.texas.govVisit source
- Reference 34FDLEfdle.state.fl.usVisit source
- Reference 35PHILLYPOLICEphillypolice.comVisit source
- Reference 36HOMEhome.chicagopolice.orgVisit source
- Reference 37NYCnyc.govVisit source
- Reference 38LAPDONLINElapdonline.orgVisit source
- Reference 39ATLANTAPDatlantapd.orgVisit source
- Reference 40DETROITMIdetroitmi.govVisit source
- Reference 41HOUSTONTXhoustontx.govVisit source
- Reference 42PUBLICWORKSpublicworks.baltimorecity.govVisit source
- Reference 43MEMPHISTNmemphistn.govVisit source
- Reference 44SLMPDslmpd.orgVisit source
- Reference 45CITYcity.milwaukee.govVisit source
- Reference 46CLEVELANDOHIOclevelandohio.govVisit source
- Reference 47KCPDkcpd.orgVisit source
- Reference 48OAKLANDCAoaklandca.govVisit source
- Reference 49MIAMIDADEmiamidade.govVisit source
- Reference 50NOPDNEWSnopdnews.comVisit source
- Reference 51INDYindy.govVisit source
- Reference 52COLUMBUSPOLICEcolumbuspolice.orgVisit source
- Reference 53LOUISVILLE-POLICElouisville-police.orgVisit source
- Reference 54CMPDcmpd.orgVisit source
- Reference 55SAsa.govVisit source
- Reference 56NASHVILLEnashville.govVisit source
- Reference 57OKCokc.govVisit source
- Reference 58TUCSONAZtucsonaz.govVisit source
- Reference 59UCRucr.fbi.govVisit source
- Reference 60WONDERwonder.cdc.govVisit source