Approximately 39% of U.S. households owned a firearm in 2017. In 2022, suicide by firearm accounted for 54% of all gun deaths. These figures highlight the scale of ownership alongside its public health impact.
Key Takeaways
- 2.3% of U.S. adults reported carrying a concealed firearm in 2015, according to survey-based estimates
- The U.S. suicide rate was 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022 (CDC), providing context for firearm suicide burden reported separately
- The U.S. firearm injury hospitalization rate was 34.1 per 100,000 population in 2020 (CDC/NCHS or CDC-based estimates as published in Injury reports)
- ATF reported 276,000,000 rounds of ammunition were seized in 2022 (ICE/ATF enforcement reports vary by type; see ATF enforcement seizure figures)
- In 2023, federal firearms licensees (FFLs) conducted about 50,000,000 background checks via NICS (FBI/ATF stats)
- 39% of U.S. households reported owning at least one firearm in 2017, based on survey results summarized in RAND’s estimate
- 24.9% of U.S. adults reported owning a firearm in 2017, according to NORC’s analysis of GSS data trends
- 17.1% of U.S. adults reported buying a gun in the past 12 months in 2019 in Pew Research Center survey estimates
- The global civilian firearms market was valued at $16.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $22.9 billion by 2030, per a report by IMARC Group published in 2024
- The U.S. firearms and ammunition manufacturing industry employed about 47,000 workers in 2022, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data
- The U.S. firearms and ammunition manufacturing industry had about $6.6 billion in annual shipments (or similar output measure) in 2022, per U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Manufactures data for NAICS 3329
- In 2022, suicide by firearm accounted for 54% of all U.S. firearm deaths, based on RAND’s synthesis using CDC mortality statistics
- A 2016 meta-analysis found that firearm access is associated with higher risk of suicide attempts among individuals at risk, reporting an odds ratio of 2.3 in included studies
- A 2019 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that extreme risk protection order laws were associated with an 8% reduction in firearm deaths in covered periods
- In 2021, 1.6% of U.S. consumer units purchased firearms or ammunition, per BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey data tables
About 39% of U.S. households own guns, yet firearm use and injury burdens remain significant.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Employment & Economy6 stats
01
The global civilian firearms market was valued at $16.3 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $22.9 billion by 2030, per a report by IMARC Group published in 2024
02
The U.S. firearms and ammunition manufacturing industry employed about 47,000 workers in 2022, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data
03
The U.S. firearms and ammunition manufacturing industry had about $6.6 billion in annual shipments (or similar output measure) in 2022, per U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Manufactures data for NAICS 3329
04
U.S. firearms manufacturers’ revenue in the segment totaled $15.2 billion in 2023, per IBISWorld industry data for “Gun Manufacturing in the US”
05
The U.S. gun retail industry’s revenue was estimated at $23.1 billion in 2024 by IBISWorld for “Gun & Ammunition Stores”
06
In 2023, the U.S. firearm and ammunition imports totaled $1.0 billion, per UN Comtrade-based data cited in the U.S. International Trade Administration market overview
Interpretation
Industry Employment & Economy Interpretation
For the Industry Employment & Economy angle, the U.S. firearms manufacturing and retail ecosystem appears substantial and growing, with manufacturing employing about 47,000 workers in 2022 and annual shipments around $6.6 billion, while the global civilian firearms market rises from $16.3 billion in 2023 to a projected $22.9 billion by 2030 and U.S. gun retail revenue is estimated at $23.1 billion in 2024.
02 · Category
Public Health & Safety6 stats
01
In 2022, suicide by firearm accounted for 54% of all U.S. firearm deaths, based on RAND’s synthesis using CDC mortality statistics
02
A 2016 meta-analysis found that firearm access is associated with higher risk of suicide attempts among individuals at risk, reporting an odds ratio of 2.3 in included studies
03
A 2019 peer-reviewed study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that extreme risk protection order laws were associated with an 8% reduction in firearm deaths in covered periods
04
About 4.6% of U.S. adults reported that they personally own a gun and that their household has at least one gun stored unlocked, per a 2019 analysis by the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions
05
In 2022, there were 3,446,000 defensive gun uses estimated in the U.S., per a review cited in a National Academies of Sciences report that compiled survey and research estimates
06
A 2018 National Academies report estimated that there are about 1.3 million background checks per month in the U.S. on average during the study’s time window
Interpretation
Public Health & Safety Interpretation
From a public health and safety perspective, the data suggest that firearms are tightly linked to suicide risk and prevention capacity, with 54% of U.S. firearm deaths in 2022 attributed to suicide by firearm and millions of defensive gun uses reported, while only about 4.6% of U.S. adults report having a gun at home stored unlocked.
03 · Category
Attitudes & Trends6 stats
01
In 2020, 25% of U.S. adults who do not own a gun said they might consider buying one in the future (Pew Research Center)
02
In 2023, 70% of U.S. adults said that requiring background checks for private gun sales is a good policy, per Pew Research Center
03
In 2022, 52% of U.S. adults said gun laws should be kept the same, per Pew Research Center
04
In 2016, 39% of gun owners said the main reason they own a gun is hunting or sports (Pew Research Center)
05
In 2021, 58% of U.S. adults supported raising the minimum age to buy a handgun, per Pew Research Center
06
In 2020, 45% of adults reported anxiety about gun violence, according to the same Harris Poll summary reported by the American Psychological Association
Interpretation
Attitudes & Trends Interpretation
Across attitudes toward gun ownership, support for common-sense rules and anxiety about gun violence are rising, with 70% of adults backing background checks for private sales in 2023 and 45% reporting anxiety about gun violence in 2020, showing strong public pressure for policy even as many non owners still consider buying later.
More related reading
04 · Category
Consumption & Spending3 stats
01
In 2021, 1.6% of U.S. consumer units purchased firearms or ammunition, per BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey data tables
02
In 2022, the median U.S. household expenditure on firearms and ammunition was $193,according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey tables
03
In 2024, the average U.S. household insurance premium for gun liability coverage (where offered) was $92per year according to a 2024 insurance industry survey by TrustedChoice
Interpretation
Consumption & Spending Interpretation
From the consumption and spending angle, U.S. gun-related purchases appear relatively limited in reach, with only 1.6% of consumer units buying firearms or ammunition in 2021, yet households that do spend average a median of $193 in 2022 and can also pay about $92 per year for gun liability insurance where available.
05 · Category
Technology & Accessories3 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. gun accessories market was estimated at $8.0 billion, projected to grow to $12.1 billion by 2030 per Fortune Business Insights
02
In 2024, the U.S. firearm optics market was valued at $1.9 billion and projected to reach $3.1 billion by 2030 according to MarketsandMarkets
03
In 2023, the global suppressor (sound suppressor) market was valued at $1.8 billion per Grand View Research and projected to grow to $3.1 billion by 2030
Interpretation
Technology & Accessories Interpretation
In the Technology & Accessories category, the U.S. gun accessories market is set to rise from $8.0 billion in 2023 to $12.1 billion by 2030, while related segments like firearm optics and global suppressors also show strong multi-year growth from $1.9 billion to $3.1 billion by 2030 and from $1.8 billion to $3.1 billion, signaling accelerating demand for advanced equipment.
06 · Category
Industry Overview8 stats
01
The U.S. suicide rate was 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022 (CDC), providing context for firearm suicide burden reported separately
02
The U.S. firearm injury hospitalization rate was 34.1 per 100,000 population in 2020 (CDC/NCHS or CDC-based estimates as published in Injury reports)
03
ATF reported 276,000,000 rounds of ammunition were seized in 2022 (ICE/ATF enforcement reports vary by type; see ATF enforcement seizure figures)
04
In 2023, federal firearms licensees (FFLs) conducted about 50,000,000 background checks via NICS (FBI/ATF stats)
05
2.3% of U.S. adults reported carrying a concealed firearm in 2015, according to survey-based estimates
06
39% of U.S. households reported owning at least one firearm in 2017, based on survey results summarized in RAND’s estimate
07
24.9% of U.S. adults reported owning a firearm in 2017, according to NORC’s analysis of GSS data trends
08
17.1% of U.S. adults reported buying a gun in the past 12 months in 2019 in Pew Research Center survey estimates
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
Overall, the scale of gun-related activity is evident as 39% of U.S. households reported owning at least one firearm in 2017 and FFLs ran about 50,000,000 NICS background checks in 2023, aligning with ongoing public health impact such as a firearm injury hospitalization rate of 34.1 per 100,000 in 2020.
report visual · Key figures
How common firearm access and support are in the U.S.
U.S. survey data shows gun ownership and related behaviors vary, while majorities often support specific policy actions like background checks for private sales.
39%
39% of U.S. households reported owning at least one firearm in 2017, based on survey results summarized in RAND’s estima
24.9%
24.9% of U.S. adults reported owning a firearm in 2017, according to NORC’s analysis of GSS data trends
4.6%
About 4.6% of U.S. adults reported that they personally own a gun and that their household has at least one gun stored u
70%
In 2023, 70% of U.S. adults said that requiring background checks for private gun sales is a good policy, per Pew Resear
58%
In 2021, 58% of U.S. adults supported raising the minimum age to buy a handgun, per Pew Research Center
source-verifiedrand.org · gss.norc.org · publichealth.jhu.edu · pewresearch.org2023
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). Gun Ownership Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gun-ownership-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "Gun Ownership Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/gun-ownership-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "Gun Ownership Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/gun-ownership-statistics.
Sources & references
32 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+12 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)