Gun Ownership: The Numbers

Their Aim is True: Taking stock of America's real gun

According to widely varying estimates, there are between 77 million and 90 million gun owners in the United States. Here are some of their characteristics.

39 Percentage of Americans reporting a gun in their home

47 Percentage of men reporting a gun in their home

27 Percentage of women reporting a gun in their home

40 Percentage of whites reporting a gun in their home

19 Percentage of non-whites reporting a gun in their home

46 Percentage of Southerners reporting a gun in their home

39 Percentage of Midwesterners reporting a gun in their home

26 Percentage of Easterners reporting a gun in their home

33 Percentage of Westerners reporting a gun in their home

52 Percentage of rural residents reporting a gun in their home

36 Percentage of suburban residents reporting a gun in their home

25 Percentage of urban residents reporting a gun in their home

67 Percentage of Americans who have ever fired a gun

86 Percentage of men who have ever fired a gun

51 Percentage of women who have ever fired a gun

66 Percentage of gun owners who own guns for target shooting

65 Percentage of gun owners who own guns for protection against crime

59 Percentage of gun owners who own guns for hunting

62 Percentage of gun owners who own a rifle

59 Percentage of gun owners who own a shotgun

64 Percentage of gun owners who own a handgun

4 Average number of firearms possessed by gun owners

(Sources: Gallup Polls of 1,012 adults from August 29-September 5, 2000; and 1,054 adults from February 8-9, 1999)