Americans Who Own the Most Guns: 18 Groups, Ranked

According to a survey by Gallup, a polling agency, 33% of Americans personally own a firearm. The motivations for owning a gun vary by person. Most Americans point to protection or hunting as the main reason behind their decision to purchase a firearm. However, some are required by their jobs to own a gun, and others cite sport shooting or owning a gun collection.

Whatever the reasoning behind owning a gun – firearm sales are booming. In 2023, the industry generated as much as $90.06 billion in total economic activity, as reported by the Firearm Industry Trade Association. (Click here to see the the top-selling gun of all time.)

It’s important to note that the rates of gun ownership vary significantly among diverse demographic groups, regions, income brackets, and other categorizations.

A notable difference in rates of firearm ownership is associated with geographic regions. In the Eastern United States, around 22% of individuals personally own firearms, while in the Southern states, this number is twice as high at 44%. (What are consumers buying in your state? Click here to see the most common gun type owned in your State.)

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the most recent poll conducted by Gallup, Household Gun Ownership in U.S. Among Subgroups. The survey questioned whether respondents possessed firearms individually. Participants were categorized by criteria such as gender, political party affiliation, age, geographical region, household income, and community type.

Why This Matters

24/7 is covering trends in gun ownership because the gun industry has wide-reaching affects on our nation’s economy. Multi-million dollar corporations that manufacture, distribute, and sell firearms stimulate the economy on a national and local level. When a consumer purchases a firearm from notable firearm companies such as Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Sig Sauer, and Springfield Armory, they support an array of jobs created by this industry, as well as generating tax revenues at a state and federal level.

Scroll below to see the Americans who own the most guns: 18 categories, ranked

18. Party affiliation: Democrat

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 20%

17. Gender: Female

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 21%

15. Region: East

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 22%

15. Annual household income: Less than $40,000

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 22%

13. Type of community: Big/Small city

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 26%

13. Age: 18-34

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 26%

12. Region: West

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 27%

11. Party affiliation: Independent

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 32%

8. Region: Midwest

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 35%

8. Age: 55 and older

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 35%

8. Annual household income: $40,000-$99,999

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 35%

7. Type of community: Suburb of big/small city

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 36%

6. Age: 35-54

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 38%

5. Type of community: Town/Rural area

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 41%

4. Region: South

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 44%

3. Gender: Male

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 46%

2. Annual household income: $100,000 or more

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 47%

1. Party affiliation: Republican

• Percent who personally own a firearm: 48%