National Carry AcademyHOW DO AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT GUNS?
December 4, 2017
According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center in Jun 2017, 74% of all U.S. gun owners say owning a gun is essential to their freedom. 67% have lived in a household with a gun at some point in their lives. 55% have fired a gun at some point in their lives.
Among those who do carry a gun, 70% cite personal protection as their primary motive, 38% own a gun for hunting and 30% own a gun for sport. One in 10 handgun owners say they “carry all the time.”
A Gallup Poll released in mid 2017 provided some interesting insights into what issues have arisen regarding guns over the years.
Guess What Twice as Many Americans Are Saying About Guns Now as Compared to 10 Years Ago? 17 years ago? 58 years ago
“Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons?”
If you asked Americans that question in 1959, the majority would have said YES, but the tables have turned as in 2017, the majority said NO.
Yes, should be No, should not be No opinion % % % 2017 Oct 5-11 28 71 1 2007 Oct 4-7 30 68 2 2000 Aug 29-Sep 5 36 62 2 1993 Dec 17-19 39 60 1 1990 Sep 10-11 41 55 4 1988 Jul 1-7 37 59 4 1980 Dec 12-21 38 51 11 1975 Mar 7-10 41 55 4 1965 Jan 7-12 49 44 7 1959 Jul 23-28 60 36 4 GALLUP
11% Americans said they would like to see gun laws made less strict—while just 6% opted for less strict gun laws in the year 2007.
Would you like to see gun laws in this country made more strict, less strict, or remain as they are?
Total satisfied Dissatisfied, want stricter Dissatisfied, want less strict Dissatisfied, keep the same No opinion % % % % % 2017 42 37 11 6 5 2016 34 38 15 9 4 2015 42 31 12 8 6 2014 40 31 16 8 5 2013 43 38 5 8 5 2012 50 25 8 9 8 2008 49 30 8 6 7 2007 50 30 6 7 7 2006 47 32 7 4 9 2005 51 32 6 5 6 2004 51 33 6 6 4 2003 47 32 9 6 6 2002 48 33 8 6 5 2001 38 39 9 9 6 GALLUP
42% of Americans feel that new gun control laws would not reduce the number of mass shootings in the USA.
If new gun control laws were passed, do you think it would reduce the number of mass shootings in the U.S.?
Great deal Moderate amount A little Not at all No opinion % % % % % 2017 Oct 5-11 21 20 16 42 1
43% of Americans or their family members own a gun vs. 41% in 2000.
Do you personally own a gun, or do the gun or guns in your household belong to another household member?
Personally own Other household member owns No gun owned No opinion % % % % 2017 Oct 29 14 55 2 2000 Aug 29-Sep 5 27 14 58 1 GALLUP
42% of Americans have a gun in their home vs. 39% in 2000 and 49% in 1959.
Do you have a gun in your home?
Yes, do No, do not No opinion % % % 2017 Oct 5-11 42 56 2 2007 Oct 4-7 42 57 1 2000 Aug 29-Sep 5 39 60 1 1997 Aug 22-25 42 57 1 1990 Sep 10-11 47 52 1 1980 Jan 2 45 53 2 1972 May 23 43 55 2 1968 50 50 — 1965 Jan 7-12 48 52 — 1959 Jul 23-28 49 51 — GALLUP
Guns have been a part of American society since it’s inception. Whether for hunting, sport shooting or personal protection, most gun owners count the right to bear arms as central to their freedom.
HOW DO AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT GUNS?
December 4, 2017
According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center in Jun 2017, 74% of all U.S. gun owners say owning a gun is essential to their freedom. 67% have lived in a household with a gun at some point in their lives. 55% have fired a gun at some point in their lives.
Among those who do carry a gun, 70% cite personal protection as their primary motive, 38% own a gun for hunting and 30% own a gun for sport. One in 10 handgun owners say they “carry all the time.”
A Gallup Poll released in mid 2017 provided some interesting insights into what issues have arisen regarding guns over the years.
Guess What Twice as Many Americans Are Saying About Guns Now as Compared to 10 Years Ago? 17 years ago? 58 years ago
“Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons?”
If you asked Americans that question in 1959, the majority would have said YES, but the tables have turned as in 2017, the majority said NO.
| Yes, should be | No, should not be | No opinion | |
| % | % | % | |
| 2017 Oct 5-11 | 28 | 71 | 1 |
| 2007 Oct 4-7 | 30 | 68 | 2 |
| 2000 Aug 29-Sep 5 | 36 | 62 | 2 |
| 1993 Dec 17-19 | 39 | 60 | 1 |
| 1990 Sep 10-11 | 41 | 55 | 4 |
| 1988 Jul 1-7 | 37 | 59 | 4 |
| 1980 Dec 12-21 | 38 | 51 | 11 |
| 1975 Mar 7-10 | 41 | 55 | 4 |
| 1965 Jan 7-12 | 49 | 44 | 7 |
| 1959 Jul 23-28 | 60 | 36 | 4 |
| GALLUP | |||
11% Americans said they would like to see gun laws made less strict—while just 6% opted for less strict gun laws in the year 2007.
Would you like to see gun laws in this country made more strict, less strict, or remain as they are?
| Total satisfied | Dissatisfied, want stricter | Dissatisfied, want less strict | Dissatisfied, keep the same | No opinion | |
| % | % | % | % | % | |
| 2017 | 42 | 37 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| 2016 | 34 | 38 | 15 | 9 | 4 |
| 2015 | 42 | 31 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| 2014 | 40 | 31 | 16 | 8 | 5 |
| 2013 | 43 | 38 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
| 2012 | 50 | 25 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| 2008 | 49 | 30 | 8 | 6 | 7 |
| 2007 | 50 | 30 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| 2006 | 47 | 32 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
| 2005 | 51 | 32 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| 2004 | 51 | 33 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 2003 | 47 | 32 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| 2002 | 48 | 33 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| 2001 | 38 | 39 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| GALLUP | |||||
42% of Americans feel that new gun control laws would not reduce the number of mass shootings in the USA.
If new gun control laws were passed, do you think it would reduce the number of mass shootings in the U.S.?
| Great deal | Moderate amount | A little | Not at all | No opinion | |
| % | % | % | % | % | |
| 2017 Oct 5-11 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 42 | 1 |
43% of Americans or their family members own a gun vs. 41% in 2000.
Do you personally own a gun, or do the gun or guns in your household belong to another household member?
| Personally own | Other household member owns | No gun owned | No opinion | |
| % | % | % | % | |
| 2017 Oct | 29 | 14 | 55 | 2 |
| 2000 Aug 29-Sep 5 | 27 | 14 | 58 | 1 |
| GALLUP | ||||
42% of Americans have a gun in their home vs. 39% in 2000 and 49% in 1959.
Do you have a gun in your home?
| Yes, do | No, do not | No opinion | |
| % | % | % | |
| 2017 Oct 5-11 | 42 | 56 | 2 |
| 2007 Oct 4-7 | 42 | 57 | 1 |
| 2000 Aug 29-Sep 5 | 39 | 60 | 1 |
| 1997 Aug 22-25 | 42 | 57 | 1 |
| 1990 Sep 10-11 | 47 | 52 | 1 |
| 1980 Jan 2 | 45 | 53 | 2 |
| 1972 May 23 | 43 | 55 | 2 |
| 1968 | 50 | 50 | — |
| 1965 Jan 7-12 | 48 | 52 | — |
| 1959 Jul 23-28 | 49 | 51 | — |
| GALLUP | |||
Guns have been a part of American society since it’s inception. Whether for hunting, sport shooting or personal protection, most gun owners count the right to bear arms as central to their freedom.