With gun ownership, where you live, how much you make, and even your age can make a huge difference. Today, we’re looking at specific details of gun ownership among particular U.S. subgroups. You might be surprised at just who owns guns and who doesn’t.
Men vs. Women
This data comes from a Gallup report. Men tend to own more guns than women, as nearly half of them say they’ve got a gun, while only about one in five women say the same. This difference could be because guys are more into hunting, or maybe they feel a stronger need to be the protector of the house.
Guns in Male-Dominated Households
More than half of male-dominated households have a gun, which shows firearms are a pretty common part of life for a lot of guys. Some of them use guns for sport or protection, while for others, it’s just been that way for generations. Many men see a gun as just a standard tool for their houses.
Women in Gun-Owning Households
While fewer women might own guns themselves, that doesn’t mean they’re living gun-free. Over 40% of women live in a home with at least one gun, suggesting that even if they’re not the owners, women are often in close quarters with firearms. Other research actually shows the number of women owning a gun is increasing.
Republicans and Their Guns
As you might expect, Republicans top the charts, with nearly half owning a gun personally and two-thirds living in a home with one. This could come from conservative values of personal security and traditional rights like the Second Amendment. To lots of Republicans, firearms are a symbol of pride and protection.
Independents and Democrats
Independents and Democrats are a bit more reserved than Republicans, as only a third of Independents and a fifth of Democrats personally own guns. Even so, a good number from both groups live in homes where guns are present, and this shows how gun ownership crosses political lines. Instead of party lines, gun ownership comes from personal choice or family traditions.
The Middle-Aged Gun Owners
If you’re in your thirties to fifties, the chances are higher that you might own a gun because they’re the age group that owns the most guns. This could be because they want to feel settled or simply because they can afford a gun, compared to younger people. For lots of people in this age bracket, a gun is just part of the household.
Seniors Sticking to Their Guns
Even as they age, seniors keep their guns close, and their ownership rates aren’t far behind the younger middle-aged crowd. Once you’re used to having guns around, this familiarity sticks with you as you get older. Lots of older people see owning a gun as a lifelong habit and something they’ve always known.
Young Adults and Firearms
Only about a quarter of young people own guns, which may be because they have less money in the bank or because they live in more urban areas. It could also be due to changing views on the need for owning a gun. Their priorities might be more toward technology or travel rather than firearms.
Southern Comfort With Firearms
Down South, guns are a big deal, and almost half of the people own one personally, while even more have one in the household. This could be thanks to a strong hunting culture and more rural living, where guns are part of everyday life. Like sweet tea and college football, firearms are just a part of the culture here.
Midwestern Attitudes Toward Guns
Wide-open spaces and hunting are more common in the Midwest, which is why so many people own guns. It’s part of the lifestyle here, as it’s pretty standard for Midwesterners to learn to shoot almost as soon as they can ride a bike. 35% of them own a gun personally, and 48% have a gun in their house.
Western States
Western states tend to be a little more mixed about gun ownership. Less than a third personally own a gun, and just 38% have a gun in the house, which is likely due to the state’s mix of cities and huge wilderness. For people in rural areas, a gun is just a tool, but for those in urban areas, it’s less of a necessity.
Eastern States Less Keen on Guns
If you’re on the East Coast, chances are lower that you’ll find a gun in people’s homes. It’s the area with the least personal and household gun ownership, and this may be due to tighter laws or just less interest in gun culture. Many Easterners find other ways to feel safe in their homes or spend their leisure time away from the firing range.
Wealthier Households More Likely to Own Guns
Like with most things in life, money talks. The more you make, the more likely you are to own a gun, and people with over $100,000 have the most guns. This could be because they can afford better security. In other cases, it’s just because they’ve got the means to indulge in expensive hobbies like shooting sports.
Middle-Income Families and Firearms
Even so, gun ownership is still fairly common for those making a moderate income, which could be because they need one for home security. 35% of this group owns a gun, and 47% live in a house with them. It’s a practical choice for many of them because they want to keep their home safe without spending too much money.
Economic Constraints and Gun Ownership
Conversely, if you’re making less than $40,000, you’re less likely to own a gun. Money’s tight for these people, and guns might not be the top priority when they’re trying to budget for essentials. These people are more focused on immediate needs like housing and food.
High Gun Ownership
In the countryside, guns are practically a necessity, as some of them use firearms to protect livestock or scare off wildlife. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that firearms are just a part of the rural lifestyle, and lots of people in these areas have guns at home. They want to be self-reliant and handle whatever comes their way without waiting.
Suburbanites and Their Guns
In the suburbs, you’ll find a fair number of gun owners because many of them have the space to actually store a firearm safely away from the business of city life. 36% of suburban families own guns, and 47% of them live in a house with a gun. Some suburban families see guns as simply a part of a well-rounded home security system, along with things like alarms and locks.
City Dwellers and Lower Gun Ownership
People living in big cities are less likely to own a gun. This is likely due to more restrictive gun laws, the fact that there’s less space, and less of a focus on gun ownership as a whole. Many people living in the cities might not even think about owning a gun because they prefer other forms of protection or entertainment.
19 Grim Realities of Dating After 50 That Are Often Overlooked
19 Grim Realities of Dating After 50 That Are Often Overlooked
26 Things That Will Be Extinct Because Millennials Refuse to Buy Them
26 Things That Will Be Extinct Because Millennials Refuse to Buy Them
24 Outdated Slang Terms You Absolutely Shouldn’t Be Using Anymore
24 Outdated Slang Terms You Absolutely Shouldn’t Be Using Anymore
25 Hardest Parts About Getting Older That No One Ever Talks About
25 Hardest Parts About Getting Older That No One Ever Talks About
