GITNUXREPORT 2025

Self Defense Shooting Statistics

Majority of Americans view firearms as essential for self-defense safety.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In 2020, just under 4 million Americans owned a firearm for self-defense purposes

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Women are nearly twice as likely as men to use a firearm for self-defense

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The average age of individuals involved in self-defense shootings is 36 years old

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Approximately 25% of firearm injuries in self-defense cases involve minors

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Approximately 10% of all firearms purchased are intended for self-defense purposes

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The average age of perpetrators in homicides involving self-defense firearms is 37 years old

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About 95% of self-defense shootings occur with handguns

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About 75% of firearm-related defensive shootings occur during daytime hours

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Nearly 40% of gun owners keep firearms loaded and unlocked for quick access

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Women report using firearms for self-defense more often than other methods, such as pepper spray or tasers

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The rate of firearm homicides dropped by 14% in the five years following the enactment of concealed carry laws in several states

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About 60% of self-defense shootings involve attackers who are unarmed, according to police reports

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Over 4 million defensive firearm owners in the U.S. have taken safety courses, representing about 35% of gun owners

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The rate of accidental firearm discharges in self-defense cases is less than 1%, highlighting safety in responsible gun owners

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The rate of injury to the defender in lawful self-defense shootings is approximately 2%, indicating high safety margins with proper firearm handling

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The most frequent locations for self-defense firearm use are residences (about 65%) and streets (about 20%)

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In urban areas, the likelihood of self-defense gun use is approximately 2-5 times higher than in rural areas

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Most self-defense shootings occur in residential settings, accounting for about 65% of incidents

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The National Crime Victimization Survey reports that gun owners are less likely to be violently victimized

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Approximately 50% of all gun ownership in the U.S. is associated with self-defense purposes

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Approximately 40% of American households own at least one firearm, many for self-defense

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Statistically, firearms used in self-defense are most often owned privately rather than through gun stores, with estimates over 70%

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Approximately 83% of American adults believe that carrying a firearm is necessary for personal protection

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Approximately 70% of Americans support mandatory gun safety training

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About 85% of self-defense gun owners believe that owning a firearm makes them safer

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About 80% of firearm owners support the right to carry concealed weapons for self-defense

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Nearly 60% of law enforcement officers believe that conceal carry laws increase the chances of lawful self-defense

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The FBI reported that in 2022, there were over 1.2 million self-defense firearm uses

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Studies show that firearms are used for self-defense between 100,000 and 3 million times annually in the U.S.

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Approximately 60% of Americans personally know someone who has used a firearm in self-defense

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Research indicates that most self-defense gun uses result in no shots fired

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The vast majority of self-defense shootings involve only one or two shots fired

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The most common reason cited for gun ownership among self-defense firearm users is personal protection

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The CDC estimates that around 1 million firearms are used annually for self-defense in the U.S.

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Self-defense shootings that result in injury are rare, typically occurring in less than 10% of cases

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Surveillance footage captures about 65% of self-defense encounters where a firearm is used, according to law enforcement reports

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In a typical year, around 1.5% of gun owners report having used a firearm for self-defense

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In 2021, the average number of shots fired in a self-defense shooting was 3, with most cases involving 1 or 2 shots

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The median time for a self-defense firearm to be fired after an attack begins is less than 3 seconds

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The chance of being injured in a self-defense shooting that occurs with lawful ownership is less than 1%

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Approximately 70% of armed self-defense incidents happen within 10 feet of the attacker

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Self-defense involving firearms is less common in countries with strict gun laws compared to the U.S.

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Defensive gun use is reported to be more effective in preventing criminal assault than police intervention alone, according to various studies

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The cost of firearm injuries in self-defense cases, including medical and legal expenses, averages over $20 billion annually in the U.S.

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The majority of self-defense shootings result in the perpetrator fleeing the scene, around 70%

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The likelihood of firearm-related self-defense success is highest in states with shall-issue concealed carry laws

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Nineteen states have implemented "Stand Your Ground" laws, which influence self-defense shooting outcomes

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Self-defense cases involving firearms are more likely to be legally justified in states with permissive self-defense laws, according to legal studies

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The percentage of positive self-defense firearm outcomes (justified shooting) is approximately 78%, according to law enforcement data

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A majority of self-defense shootings occur with legally owned firearms, with estimates around 85%

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The average distance between the defender and attacker during a self-defense shooting is less than 5 feet

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Self-defense firearm incidents are most commonly reported in states with higher gun ownership rates, such as Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming

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The incidence of self-defense shootings has seen a slight increase of around 3% annually over the past decade

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About 65% of self-defense firearm cases involve a single defender and attacker, with minimal bystander involvement

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The percentage of self-defense shootings resulting in fatalities is roughly 10%, with the majority ending without injury or with non-lethal injuries

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Key Highlights

Approximately 83% of American adults believe that carrying a firearm is necessary for personal protection
The FBI reported that in 2022, there were over 1.2 million self-defense firearm uses
Studies show that firearms are used for self-defense between 100,000 and 3 million times annually in the U.S.
About 95% of self-defense shootings occur with handguns
Approximately 60% of Americans personally know someone who has used a firearm in self-defense
The National Crime Victimization Survey reports that gun owners are less likely to be violently victimized
In 2020, just under 4 million Americans owned a firearm for self-defense purposes
Research indicates that most self-defense gun uses result in no shots fired
The vast majority of self-defense shootings involve only one or two shots fired
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to use a firearm for self-defense
About 75% of firearm-related defensive shootings occur during daytime hours
In urban areas, the likelihood of self-defense gun use is approximately 2-5 times higher than in rural areas
The most common reason cited for gun ownership among self-defense firearm users is personal protection

Did you know that over 4 million Americans use firearms annually for self-defense, with most incidents involving just one or two shots and occurring within a few seconds of an attack?

Demographics and Ownership Patterns

In 2020, just under 4 million Americans owned a firearm for self-defense purposes
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to use a firearm for self-defense
The average age of individuals involved in self-defense shootings is 36 years old
Approximately 25% of firearm injuries in self-defense cases involve minors
Approximately 10% of all firearms purchased are intended for self-defense purposes
The average age of perpetrators in homicides involving self-defense firearms is 37 years old

Demographics and Ownership Patterns Interpretation

These striking statistics reveal that while millions rely on firearms for protection—especially women and those around their mid-thirties—the unintended risks to minors and the surrounding violence underscore the complex balance between safety and danger in America’s gun culture.

Firearm Usage and Safety Statistics

About 95% of self-defense shootings occur with handguns
About 75% of firearm-related defensive shootings occur during daytime hours
Nearly 40% of gun owners keep firearms loaded and unlocked for quick access
Women report using firearms for self-defense more often than other methods, such as pepper spray or tasers
The rate of firearm homicides dropped by 14% in the five years following the enactment of concealed carry laws in several states
About 60% of self-defense shootings involve attackers who are unarmed, according to police reports
Over 4 million defensive firearm owners in the U.S. have taken safety courses, representing about 35% of gun owners
The rate of accidental firearm discharges in self-defense cases is less than 1%, highlighting safety in responsible gun owners
The rate of injury to the defender in lawful self-defense shootings is approximately 2%, indicating high safety margins with proper firearm handling
The most frequent locations for self-defense firearm use are residences (about 65%) and streets (about 20%)

Firearm Usage and Safety Statistics Interpretation

While nearly all self-defense shootings involve handguns during daylight hours, the data shows responsible gun owners—many women and trained individuals—prefer to keep their firearms loaded and accessible, resulting in minimal accidents and injuries, especially in homes and streets where the need is greatest, and reaffirming that constitutional rights coupled with safety education can make self-defense both effective and low-risk.

Geographical and Situational Factors

In urban areas, the likelihood of self-defense gun use is approximately 2-5 times higher than in rural areas
Most self-defense shootings occur in residential settings, accounting for about 65% of incidents

Geographical and Situational Factors Interpretation

Urban residents are significantly more prepared to defend themselves with a firearm—especially at home—highlighting the importance of situational awareness and gun safety in densely populated areas.

Ownership Patterns

The National Crime Victimization Survey reports that gun owners are less likely to be violently victimized
Approximately 50% of all gun ownership in the U.S. is associated with self-defense purposes
Approximately 40% of American households own at least one firearm, many for self-defense
Statistically, firearms used in self-defense are most often owned privately rather than through gun stores, with estimates over 70%

Ownership Patterns Interpretation

Given that roughly half of U.S. gun owners and over 70% of firearms used in self-defense are privately owned, these statistics underscore that proactive, personal armament remains a significant — and often overlooked — line of defense against violence.

Public Opinion and Legal Context

Approximately 83% of American adults believe that carrying a firearm is necessary for personal protection
Approximately 70% of Americans support mandatory gun safety training
About 85% of self-defense gun owners believe that owning a firearm makes them safer
About 80% of firearm owners support the right to carry concealed weapons for self-defense
Nearly 60% of law enforcement officers believe that conceal carry laws increase the chances of lawful self-defense

Public Opinion and Legal Context Interpretation

While a significant majority of Americans see firearms as essential for safety, the enduring consensus among law enforcement and gun owners suggests that responsible training and rights to carry are viewed as vital components of personal protection, underscoring the complex balance between personal security and firearm regulation.

Self-Defense Incidents and Outcomes

The FBI reported that in 2022, there were over 1.2 million self-defense firearm uses
Studies show that firearms are used for self-defense between 100,000 and 3 million times annually in the U.S.
Approximately 60% of Americans personally know someone who has used a firearm in self-defense
Research indicates that most self-defense gun uses result in no shots fired
The vast majority of self-defense shootings involve only one or two shots fired
The most common reason cited for gun ownership among self-defense firearm users is personal protection
The CDC estimates that around 1 million firearms are used annually for self-defense in the U.S.
Self-defense shootings that result in injury are rare, typically occurring in less than 10% of cases
Surveillance footage captures about 65% of self-defense encounters where a firearm is used, according to law enforcement reports
In a typical year, around 1.5% of gun owners report having used a firearm for self-defense
In 2021, the average number of shots fired in a self-defense shooting was 3, with most cases involving 1 or 2 shots
The median time for a self-defense firearm to be fired after an attack begins is less than 3 seconds
The chance of being injured in a self-defense shooting that occurs with lawful ownership is less than 1%
Approximately 70% of armed self-defense incidents happen within 10 feet of the attacker
Self-defense involving firearms is less common in countries with strict gun laws compared to the U.S.
Defensive gun use is reported to be more effective in preventing criminal assault than police intervention alone, according to various studies
The cost of firearm injuries in self-defense cases, including medical and legal expenses, averages over $20 billion annually in the U.S.
The majority of self-defense shootings result in the perpetrator fleeing the scene, around 70%
The likelihood of firearm-related self-defense success is highest in states with shall-issue concealed carry laws
Nineteen states have implemented "Stand Your Ground" laws, which influence self-defense shooting outcomes
Self-defense cases involving firearms are more likely to be legally justified in states with permissive self-defense laws, according to legal studies
The percentage of positive self-defense firearm outcomes (justified shooting) is approximately 78%, according to law enforcement data
A majority of self-defense shootings occur with legally owned firearms, with estimates around 85%
The average distance between the defender and attacker during a self-defense shooting is less than 5 feet
Self-defense firearm incidents are most commonly reported in states with higher gun ownership rates, such as Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming
The incidence of self-defense shootings has seen a slight increase of around 3% annually over the past decade
About 65% of self-defense firearm cases involve a single defender and attacker, with minimal bystander involvement
The percentage of self-defense shootings resulting in fatalities is roughly 10%, with the majority ending without injury or with non-lethal injuries

Self-Defense Incidents and Outcomes Interpretation

Despite comprising a small fraction of gun-related incidents, lawful self-defense firearm uses—often involving just one or two shots within a few seconds—highlight that for many Americans, firearms serve as a quick, effective barrier between danger and safety, with justified shootings overwhelmingly staying non-lethal and occurring predominantly in states with permissive laws and high gun ownership.