A recent survey shows that more Americans are owning guns. The figures are a lot higher than they have ever been. The survey indicates that 52% of the respondents own firearms or a member of their household does,
The latest figure is the highest ever since NBC started tracking gun ownership in 1999. It is a significant uptick from four years ago when the figure was 46%. Also, it was 42% a decade ago.
Micah Roberts of the Republican Firm Public Opinion Strategies and Democratic pollster Hart Research conducted the survey together. “In the last 10 years, we’ve grown [10 points] in gun ownership. That’s a very stunning number,” Mr. Roberts said. “By and large, things don’t change that dramatically that quickly when it comes to something as fundamental as whether you own a gun.”
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Furthermore, the polls show that more Republicans own firearms than others. 66% of the Republicans in the survey indicated that they own guns in their household. Meanwhile, 45% of independents and 41% of Democrats owned guns. The number of Democrats owning guns in their homes is the highest so far since 2004.
This rise in gun ownership is linked with a recent surge in gun sales across America. Over 1.3 million background checks were conducted in October for gun transfers. This was the third-highest month so far. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the number is 8.4% more than in October 2023.
Mark Oliva, a spokesperson for the NSSF, has connected the rising figures to Americans realizing the significance of their Second Amendment right. More so, Americans are feeling the need to protect themselves against terrorist attacks and mass shootings.
He said, “This is telling, given the stark reminders of the importance of the Second Amendment protecting the right for law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and protect their loved ones.”
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Furthermore, there are more people buying guns for the first time. According to Erik Fletcher, the owner of Burbank Armor and Guns in California, there has been a rise in the number of first-time gun buyers, especially among the Jewish community.
People are buying guns to feel safe, especially in their homes and workplaces. This trend is not limited to California, as a gun store owner in Georgia reported a 30% increase in business, with the majority of customers being Jewish Americans purchasing their first firearm.
Many Americans have shared their thoughts on this trend, with some expressing concern about the increasing reliance on guns as a solution to problems. One online user wrote, “Wow, just what America needs — more guns! Because clearly, America thinks that’s the solution to all our problems.”
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Another user wrote, “It’s going to increase. People are getting fed up with what is happening. They are concerned for their safety… the government isn’t helping.”
The survey and the reaction from Americans go to show that communities are growing more divided about certain issues, such as gun control.
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