Summary
- There are approximately 398.5 million firearms in possession in the U.S.
- The U.S. has the highest gun death rate at 10.6 per 100,000 people.
- Knowing U.S. gun numbers helps craft safety legislation and rules.
Guns are a large part of American culture. From the Second Amendment guaranteeing the right to bear arms to the value of rugged individualism, guns are often symbols of independence, protection, and military prowess.
But the number of guns in the U.S. also exposes it to unique dangers. In 2016, the U.S. gun death rate was 10.6 per 100,000 people. Comparatively, Canada’s rate was 2.1 per 100,000 with Australia (1.0), France (2.7), and Germany (0.9) also being much lower.
So, how many guns are in the U.S.? Are there more guns than people? Here are the vital statistics on gun ownership in the U.S. and their possible implications.
How Many Guns?
Tracking gun ownership in the U.S. is often difficult because there are few federal regulations and states are not consistent in their registration requirements. The Small Arms Survey in Geneva Switzerland has the most recent data from 2018.
That data reveals there were approximately 398.5 million firearms in possession in the U.S., encompassing handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Citizens own 393 million of those weapons, with the rest being held by the military (4.5 million) and law enforcement (just over 1 million.)
Civilian gun ownership averages about 1.2 firearms per person in the U.S. So it seems that yes–there are more guns than people in America.
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Implications of the Number of Guns in the US
Civilian gun owners list personal protection as their top reason for owning a firearm. Other reasons include hunting, sport shooting, gun collecting or for work.
But the sheer number of guns and their lack of regulation also cause concern. Research also reveals that:
- 61% of Americans believe it is too easy to purchase a firearm in the U.S.
- 54% of Americans say the number of guns is very or somewhat bad for society
- 59% of public K-12 teachers indicate they are at least somewhat worried about a school shooting
Data supports these concerns. In 2022, there were more than 48,000 firearm-related deaths in the U.S., which exceeds the number of deaths that year from car accidents. Four out of 10 of these deaths were homicides. Injury is also an issue. Seven out of every 10 firearm injuries are intentional assaults.
Safety and Legislation
The U.S. has more gun-related deaths than other developed countries, leading to continuous debates about gun control and safety measures.
These measures appear to have support. Data shows that 58% of Americans favor stricter gun regulations and 49% see gun violence. But other contradictory data holds up serious efforts toward better regulation. Americans also say guns increase safety more than decrease it, and a slim margin (51%) indicates it is more important to protect gun rights than control ownership.
Current legislation and rules focus on stronger background checks and penalties for unlicensed gun dealers. There are also renewed efforts to reinstate an assault weapons ban after the original ban expired in 2004.
Looking Ahead
As Americans try to find the right balance between gun rights and public safety, the number of guns in America will shape policies and opinions. The debate over gun control will keep changing as new numbers and trends arise. These discussions, whether they result in stricter laws or stronger Second Amendment protections, are essential for deciding the future of gun ownership in the country.
