These Americans Own the Most Guns

Photo of Mike Sauter
By Mike Sauter Published
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
These Americans Own the Most Guns

© AAron Ontiveroz / Denver Post via Getty Images

A poll conducted by Gallup reveals that approximately 46% of Americans have a gun in their home or on their property. This statistic, derived from an annual survey, has remained relatively constant for nearly two decades. For comparison, in 1993, that total was 54%. The survey also indicates that 33% of Americans personally own a firearm.

It’s worth noting that the prevalence of gun ownership and the presence of firearms in households varies significantly across diverse demographic groups, regions, income brackets, and other classifications. In one particular category, two-thirds of its members live in households with firearms, while in another category, less than one-third do.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the most recent poll conducted by polling agency Gallup, titled: Household Gun Ownership in U.S. Among Subgroups. The survey asked whether respondents possessed firearms individually and, separately, if they lived in households with guns. Participants were categorized based on various criteria, such as gender, political party affiliation, age, geographical region, household income, and community type.

One of the significant disparities in firearm ownership rates can be attributed to geographic regions. In the Eastern United States, approximately 22% of individuals possess firearms personally, whereas in the Southern states, this figure is doubled to 44%. These variations stem from a combination of cultural and political factors. For instance, many Southern states boast higher numbers of registered Republicans, a demographic strongly associated with firearm ownership. Variations in firearm ownership laws likely contribute to this regional divide. (Here are the states with the loosest gun laws.

Click here to see which Americans own the most guns.

kitzcorner / iStock via Getty Images

Gender: Female
> Percent who personally own gun: 21% — #17 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 41% — #12 out of 18 categories

[in-text-ad]

Shutter2U / iStock via Getty Images

Gender: Male
> Percent who personally own gun: 46% — #3 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 51% — #5 out of 18 categories

[recirclink id=1081968]

Serhej Calka / iStock via Getty Images

Party affiliation: Democrat
> Percent who personally own gun: 20% — #18 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 31% — #18 out of 18 categories

donald_gruener / E+ via Getty Images

Party affiliation: Independent
> Percent who personally own gun: 32% — #11 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 42% — #11 out of 18 categories

[in-text-ad-2]

zkolra / iStock via Getty Images

Party affiliation: Republican
> Percent who personally own gun: 48% — #1 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 66% — #1 out of 18 categories

alvarez / E+ via Getty Images

Age: 18-34
> Percent who personally own gun: 26% — #13 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 39% — #13 out of 18 categories

[in-text-ad]

Rawpixel / iStock via Getty Images

Age: 55 and older
> Percent who personally own gun: 35% — tied, #8 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 49% — #7 out of 18 categories

[recirclink id=1192042]

monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images

Age: 35-54
> Percent who personally own gun: 38% — #6 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 50% — #6 out of 18 categories

TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images

Region: East
> Percent who personally own gun: 22% — #15 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 32% — #17 out of 18 categories

[in-text-ad-2]

choness / iStock via Getty Images

Region: West
> Percent who personally own gun: 27% — #12 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 38% — #14 out of 18 categories

KenCanning / E+ via Getty Images

Region: Midwest
> Percent who personally own gun: 35% — tied, #8 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 48% — #8 out of 18 categories

[in-text-ad]

S_Hoss / iStock via Getty Images

Region: South
> Percent who personally own gun: 44% — #4 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 59% — #4 out of 18 categories

[recirclink id=1191663]

andresr / E+ via Getty Images

Annual household income: Less than $40,000
> Percent who personally own gun: 22% — #15 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 33% — #15 out of 18 categories

Beka_C / iStock via Getty Images

Annual household income: $40,000-$99,999
> Percent who personally own gun: 35% — tied, #8 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 47% — tied, #9 out of 18 categories

[in-text-ad-2]

stevegeer / E+ via Getty Images

Annual household income: $100,000 or more
> Percent who personally own gun: 47% — #2 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 63% — #2 out of 18 categories

Melpomenem / iStock via Getty Images

Type of community: Big/Small city
> Percent who personally own gun: 26% — #13 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 33% — #15 out of 18 categories

[in-text-ad]

MattGush / iStock via Getty Images

Type of community: Suburb of big/small city
> Percent who personally own gun: 36% — #7 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 47% — tied, #9 out of 18 categories

[recirclink id=1081968]

JamesBrey / E+ via Getty Images

Type of community: Town/Rural area
> Percent who personally own gun: 41% — #5 out of 18 categories
> Percent in household with gun: 62% — #3 out of 18 categories

Photo of Mike Sauter
About the Author Mike Sauter →

Michael Sauter is Lead Editor at 24/7 Wall St. He has worked here in various capacities since 2010, starting out as a healthcare industry beat writer. He helped develop the site’s data-driven content, which contributed to 24/7 Wall St. becoming a recognized brand in the field of data journalism, covering a wide range of social and economic issues. Today, he rarely writes but enjoys working with authors and data to find the best way to present information clearly and effectively. In his occasional spare time, Michael loves cycling, listening to audiobooks, and (passably) playing the piano.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

F Vol: 216,261,152
ENPH Vol: 11,512,758
ON Vol: 21,618,191
AKAM Vol: 10,964,520
HPE Vol: 27,523,481

Top Losing Stocks

CTRA Vol: 73,319,495
FDS Vol: 1,153,303
CEG Vol: 6,653,829
J Vol: 2,649,092
PODD Vol: 1,990,609