In an unprecedented surge of gun ownership across the United States, a recent NBC News poll has revealed a wonderful statistic: more than half of American voters, a staggering 52%, report that they or someone in their household owns a gun.
This figure, the highest ever recorded in the history of the NBC News poll dating back to 1999, indicates a significant cultural shift in the American electorate’s attitude toward gun ownership.
However, this trend isn’t just a flash in the pan. Over the past decade, there has been a consistent increase in gun ownership. Back in 2013, only 42% of Americans reported household gun ownership. This number jumped to 46% in 2019 and has now reached its current peak.
While freedom-haters may find these numbers surprising, Alan Gottlieb, Chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), sees it as a natural response to societal changes. He attributes this rise to factors such as the decrease in law enforcement ranks and the uptick in violent crime. Gottlieb firmly asserts that Americans are relying on their Second Amendment rights for personal and family safety, a fundamental right that he believes is often treated as a government-regulated privilege.
“Why should anyone, including NBC News, be surprised by this revelation? Owning a firearm in this country is a right protected by the Second Amendment and almost all state constitutions, even though far too many politicians treat it as a government-regulated privilege” ~ Alan Gottlieb.
The poll, conducted from November 10-14 and surveying 1,000 registered voters, also highlights a partisan divide in gun ownership. A significant 66% of Republican voters report household gun ownership, compared to 45% of independents and 41% of Democrats. This disparity has remained relatively consistent over the years.
However, an interesting development is the rising rate of gun ownership among Black voters. From a mere 24% in 2019, it has jumped to 41% in 2023, indicating a broader acceptance and exercise of gun rights across different racial groups.
For 2A activists, here is still work to be done. The NBC News poll also found that Americans are almost evenly split in their concern over government regulation of firearms. Approximately 48% fear the government will not do enough to regulate access to firearms, while 47% believe the government may go too far in restricting gun rights, reflecting a nation divided yet united in its complexity towards gun ownership.
This shift in gun ownership demographics and attitudes underscores a larger narrative. Gottlieb remarks on the apparent cultural shift, praising the increase in responsible gun ownership and training. He sees this as a sign of Americans taking personal responsibility for their safety despite ongoing debates and efforts to regulate the Second Amendment.
“Gun ownership is rising across the national landscape,” Gottlieb observed, “and we are encouraged by what appears to be a cultural shift in America. More people, of all backgrounds, are taking personal responsibility for their safety and that of their families. We appear to be witnessing a significant change in how people look at gun ownership. We have all seen that the gun control and ban agenda has been an abject failure. Crime rates are up in many places. Restrictive gun laws have not disarmed criminals, only the law-abiding.”
These findings suggest a deep-rooted change in the American psyche. With the increasing rates of gun ownership, especially among traditionally lower-owning demographics, the United States appears to be embracing its Second Amendment rights more than ever. This trend, however, continues to stir debate over the balance between gun rights and regulations, a conversation that is as American as the right to bear arms itself.
“More than half of American voters — 52% — say they or someone in their household owns a gun… That’s the highest share of voters who say that they or someone in their household owns a gun in the history of the NBC News poll…” https://t.co/CiYPzz4B56
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) November 21, 2023