Nearly one in three American adults personally owns a firearm, according to the 2026 National Firearms Survey. Drawing on responses from more than 51,000 adults, Georgetown University researcher William English estimates that figure at 88 million people.
Who Owns Firearms, and What Do They Own? What the 2026 National Firearms Survey Found.
Women make up nearly 46% of firearm owners, according to the survey. Ownership spans demographic groups, with roughly one in three White adults and one in three Black adults reporting that they personally own a firearm. Handguns are the most common firearm type. About 92% of owners report owning at least one, and roughly one in four currently owns an AR-15-style rifle. Across handguns, rifles, and shotguns, owners report an average of just over five firearms.
What Owners Report About Defensive Use.
About 38% of firearm owners said they had used a firearm at some point to protect themselves, a family or household member, or their property. In roughly three out of four reported incidents, no shots were fired.
The figures are estimates from a weighted online survey and reflect respondents’ own accounts. The survey data and questionnaire are available through Harvard Dataverse.
A Day at The Range LA
That variety feels familiar at The Range LA. On a given afternoon, you might meet someone getting comfortable on the line for the first time, a longtime enthusiast who comes in for an hour of quiet focus, or a collector who can tell you the story behind a favorite revolver. For some members, it’s a standing date with friends, with time on the line and a chance to catch up in the lounge afterward.
Good range etiquette and a shared respect for safety make room for everyone. The conversation in the lounge often reveals what brought someone in.