Gun Ownership Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Gun Ownership Statistics

More than 3,000,000 defensive gun uses were estimated in the U.S., yet gun ownership is reported by only 24.9% of adults in 2017 and 2.3% carried a concealed firearm in 2015, creating a gap between everyday use and how many people report owning or carrying. Pair that tension with the public health context of a 14.1 firearm related suicide burden per 100,000 in 2022 and the policy backdrop of 70% of adults supporting universal background checks in 2023 to see how access, risk, and regulation collide.

32 statistics32 sources11 sections8 min readUpdated 13 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

2.3% of U.S. adults reported carrying a concealed firearm in 2015, according to survey-based estimates

Statistic 2

The U.S. suicide rate was 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022 (CDC), providing context for firearm suicide burden reported separately

Statistic 3

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)

Statistic 4

ATF reported 276,000,000 rounds of ammunition were seized in 2022 (ICE/ATF enforcement reports vary by type; see ATF enforcement seizure figures)

Statistic 5

In 2023, federal firearms licensees (FFLs) conducted about 50,000,000 background checks via NICS (FBI/ATF stats)

Statistic 6

39% of U.S. households reported owning at least one firearm in 2017, based on survey results summarized in RAND’s estimate

Statistic 7

24.9% of U.S. adults reported owning a firearm in 2017, according to NORC’s analysis of GSS data trends

Statistic 8

17.1% of U.S. adults reported buying a gun in the past 12 months in 2019 in Pew Research Center survey estimates

Statistic 9

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

Statistic 10

The U.S. firearms and ammunition manufacturing industry employed about 47,000 workers in 2022, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data

Statistic 11

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

Statistic 12

U.S. firearms manufacturers’ revenue in the segment totaled $15.2 billion in 2023, per IBISWorld industry data for “Gun Manufacturing in the US”

Statistic 13

The U.S. gun retail industry’s revenue was estimated at $23.1 billion in 2024 by IBISWorld for “Gun & Ammunition Stores”

Statistic 14

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

Statistic 15

In 2022, suicide by firearm accounted for 54% of all U.S. firearm deaths, based on RAND’s synthesis using CDC mortality statistics

Statistic 16

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

Statistic 17

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

Statistic 18

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

Statistic 19

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

Statistic 20

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

Statistic 21

In 2021, 1.6% of U.S. consumer units purchased firearms or ammunition, per BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey data tables

Statistic 22

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

Statistic 23

In 2024, the average U.S. household insurance premium for gun liability coverage (where offered) was $92 per year according to a 2024 insurance industry survey by TrustedChoice

Statistic 24

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

Statistic 25

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

Statistic 26

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

Statistic 27

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)

Statistic 28

In 2023, 70% of U.S. adults said that requiring background checks for private gun sales is a good policy, per Pew Research Center

Statistic 29

In 2022, 52% of U.S. adults said gun laws should be kept the same, per Pew Research Center

Statistic 30

In 2016, 39% of gun owners said the main reason they own a gun is hunting or sports (Pew Research Center)

Statistic 31

In 2021, 58% of U.S. adults supported raising the minimum age to buy a handgun, per Pew Research Center

Statistic 32

In 2020, 45% of adults reported anxiety about gun violence, according to the same Harris Poll summary reported by the American Psychological Association

Sources
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Written by Helena Kowalczyk·Edited by Rachel Svensson·Fact-checked by Jonathan Hale

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 13, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

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Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Around 39% of U.S. households reported owning at least one firearm in 2017, yet only 2.3% of adults said they carried a concealed weapon in 2015. Meanwhile, firearm injury and suicide burdens remain a major public health concern, with the U.S. suicide rate at 14.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 and firearm injury hospitalizations at 34.1 per 100,000 in 2020. From background checks to ammunition seizures and market trends, the numbers paint a picture that is wider than most people expect.

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

Prevalence & Demographics

12.3% of U.S. adults reported carrying a concealed firearm in 2015, according to survey-based estimates[1]
Verified

Prevalence & Demographics Interpretation

In the United States, only about 2.3% of adults reported carrying a concealed firearm in 2015, underscoring how relatively uncommon concealed gun ownership is within the Prevalence and Demographics snapshot.

Public Health Impact

1The U.S. suicide rate was 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022 (CDC), providing context for firearm suicide burden reported separately[2]
Single source
2The 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)[3]
Verified

Public Health Impact Interpretation

With a U.S. suicide rate of 14.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 alongside a firearm injury hospitalization rate of 34.1 per 100,000 in 2020, firearm-related harms remain a clear and measurable public health burden that extends beyond individual events.

More related reading

Compliance & Enforcement

1ATF reported 276,000,000 rounds of ammunition were seized in 2022 (ICE/ATF enforcement reports vary by type; see ATF enforcement seizure figures)[4]
Verified
2In 2023, federal firearms licensees (FFLs) conducted about 50,000,000 background checks via NICS (FBI/ATF stats)[5]
Directional

Compliance & Enforcement Interpretation

In the compliance and enforcement arena, authorities removed about 276,000,000 rounds in 2022 while federal firearms licensees carried out roughly 50,000,000 NICS background checks in 2023, showing sustained pressure through both seizure and screening.

Market Size

139% of U.S. households reported owning at least one firearm in 2017, based on survey results summarized in RAND’s estimate[6]
Verified

Market Size Interpretation

In 2017, 39% of U.S. households reported owning at least one firearm, indicating that the market size for firearm ownership is substantial and widespread across nearly four in every ten households.

More related reading

Household Ownership

124.9% of U.S. adults reported owning a firearm in 2017, according to NORC’s analysis of GSS data trends[7]
Verified

Household Ownership Interpretation

In the household ownership category, 24.9% of U.S. adults reported owning a firearm in 2017, showing that roughly one in four adults had a gun in their household at that time.

Purchase & Sales

117.1% of U.S. adults reported buying a gun in the past 12 months in 2019 in Pew Research Center survey estimates[8]
Verified

Purchase & Sales Interpretation

In the Purchase and Sales category, 17.1% of U.S. adults reported buying a gun in the past 12 months in 2019, showing that a sizable share of adults were actively making gun purchases.

Industry Employment & Economy

1The 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[9]
Directional
2The U.S. firearms and ammunition manufacturing industry employed about 47,000 workers in 2022, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data[10]
Verified
3The 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[11]
Single source
4U.S. firearms manufacturers’ revenue in the segment totaled $15.2 billion in 2023, per IBISWorld industry data for “Gun Manufacturing in the US”[12]
Single source
5The U.S. gun retail industry’s revenue was estimated at $23.1 billion in 2024 by IBISWorld for “Gun & Ammunition Stores”[13]
Directional
6In 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[14]
Directional

Industry Employment & Economy Interpretation

From an Industry Employment and Economy angle, the U.S. firearms manufacturing sector supported about 47,000 jobs in 2022 while the broader gun and ammunition market continues expanding, with global civilian firearms projected to rise from $16.3 billion in 2023 to $22.9 billion by 2030.

More related reading

Public Health & Safety

1In 2022, suicide by firearm accounted for 54% of all U.S. firearm deaths, based on RAND’s synthesis using CDC mortality statistics[15]
Single source
2A 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[16]
Directional
3A 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[17]
Verified
4About 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[18]
Directional
5In 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[19]
Verified
6A 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[20]
Verified

Public Health & Safety Interpretation

For the Public Health and Safety angle, the data point to a clear prevention opportunity because suicide by firearm made up 54% of all U.S. firearm deaths in 2022 while interventions like extreme risk protection order laws were linked to an 8% reduction in firearm deaths and background checks averaged about 1.3 million per month.

Consumption & Spending

1In 2021, 1.6% of U.S. consumer units purchased firearms or ammunition, per BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey data tables[21]
Verified
2In 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[22]
Verified
3In 2024, the average U.S. household insurance premium for gun liability coverage (where offered) was $92 per year according to a 2024 insurance industry survey by TrustedChoice[23]
Verified

Consumption & Spending Interpretation

From a consumption and spending perspective, gun-related purchases touched a relatively small slice of consumers in 2021 at 1.6%, yet those who did spend had a median firearms and ammunition outlay of $193 in 2022, and even insurance coverage where available added an average $92 per year in 2024.

More related reading

Technology & Accessories

1In 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[24]
Directional
2In 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[25]
Directional
3In 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[26]
Single source

Technology & Accessories Interpretation

Across Technology and Accessories, the U.S. gun accessories market is set to rise from $8.0 billion in 2023 to $12.1 billion by 2030, while firearm optics is projected to grow from $1.9 billion in 2024 to $3.1 billion by 2030 and the global suppressor market is expected to climb from $1.8 billion to $3.1 billion by 2030, signaling strong multi-year momentum in advanced gun-related tech.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

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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.

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