Increasing Gun Ownership in America: A Surge Driven by Self-Protection Amid Social Unrest

Everyone should buy more guns now. Stock up in case of an emergency as Biden and the Democrats have terrorists here now, thanks to the open border. They can attack anywhere, schools, malls and even homes.

A recent study published in the journal Injury Prevention reveals that a significant number of Americans are purchasing firearms primarily for personal protection. The study found that 80% of gun owners cited self-defense as their main motivation for owning a gun. This marks a substantial increase compared to past decades; in 1999, only 26% of gun owners reported owning a firearm for protection, according to CNN.

Some 65 million Americans now own firearms for protection—around 80% of the country’s estimated 81 million gun owners—suggest the results of a nationally representative survey carried out in 2023, and published online in @IP_BMJ https://t.co/SUmzvyeOxZ pic.twitter.com/LUNt5D705v

— BMJ Group (@bmj_company) July 25, 2024

Dr. David Yamane, a sociology professor at Wake Forest University, attributes this rise to periods of cultural and social unrest, drawing parallels to the turbulence of the 1960s and the more recent COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that events in 2020, such as the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, subsequent Black Lives Matter protests, a contentious presidential election, and the Capitol riot, contributed to an environment of uncertainty. This environment, according to Yamane, has fueled what he describes as a “defensive gun culture.”

CNN and other observers express concern that this climate of uncertainty has led to increased gun ownership and the promotion of guns for self-defense by the gun industry. The industry has also supported the enactment of “stand your ground” laws, which allow for the use of deadly force in self-defense situations.

With dems in power, we have no choice! We need to protect ourselves, because they refuse to, & maybe worse, they target us.
More Americans Are Becoming Gun Owners for Personal Protection. That’s a Good Thing. https://t.co/XSbdQWslFL pic.twitter.com/vHTH8yluhn

— NYNanc🇺🇸 (@ny32007) July 30, 2024

Despite concerns, the desire for personal protection remains a strong driver for gun ownership. The latest Pew Research Center poll shows that 40% of American adults live in a household with a gun, a figure unchanged since 2021. The poll also highlights demographic differences in gun ownership: 45% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents own a gun, compared to 20% of Democrats. Additionally, 40% of men report owning a gun, while only 25% of women do. Ownership is also more prevalent in rural areas (47%) than in suburban (30%) or urban areas (20%).

The Pew poll confirms that personal protection is the leading reason for gun ownership, with 72% of owners citing it as a major reason. Other reasons include hunting (32%), sport shooting (30%), collecting (15%), and job-related needs (7%).

Interestingly, despite the high levels of gun ownership, there is bipartisan support for certain gun control measures. A majority of both Republicans and Democrats support preventing individuals with mental illnesses from purchasing guns and increasing the minimum age for buying firearms to 21. However, there are stark differences in views on banning “assault weapons” and high-capacity magazines, with a majority of Democrats in favor of such bans and Republicans generally opposing them.

Americans are arming up for new reason, study says https://t.co/Rs4E2ef726

— American Wire News (@americanwire_) July 30, 2024

This data emerges amidst legislative changes, such as those in New Hampshire, where a new law allows employees to keep loaded guns in their cars at work, provided the firearms are out of sight and the vehicles are locked. This law applies to companies receiving government funding, illustrating the ongoing debate and legislative action surrounding gun rights and regulations in the United States.

Major Points:

• A new study shows 80% of gun owners in the U.S. cite personal protection as the main reason for owning firearms, a significant increase from 26% in 1999.
• The increase in gun ownership is attributed to periods of cultural and social unrest, such as the events of 2020, including the pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, and political turmoil.
• The Pew Research Center poll reveals that 45% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents own guns, compared to 20% of Democrats. Ownership is also higher among men, rural residents, and white Americans.
• Despite high levels of gun ownership, majorities of both Republicans and Democrats support measures like preventing those with mental illnesses from purchasing guns and raising the minimum age for buying firearms to 21.
• New Hampshire has passed a law allowing employees to keep loaded guns in their cars at work, highlighting ongoing debates and legislative actions related to gun rights in the U.S.

Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News