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65 million gun owners need firearms to feel safe in America, poll finds
A new poll on the American attitude towards firearms has suggested that 65 million people own firearms because of safety concerns.
While most people are contending with life-altering moments like the effects of smoking or the complicated world of supplements and medication, Americans are also forced to combat the growing epidemic of gun violence. Though incredibly divisive, most would agree that the subject is complicated.
80% of gun owners need their firearms for safety
Though the irony of needing guns to protect you from guns is not lost on the American public, the subject of firearm safety and gun violence is nothing particularly new. The debate has been raging on for years, and yet, no solution has been found.
New research was recently published in the Injury Prevention journal that delved into the interesting world of American attitudes toward guns. As you might expect, it was a mixed bag.
Arguably their biggest find was that 80% of Americans feel they need a gun for safety. That translates to roughly 65 million people of a 333 million population, and that number has been steadily rising for decades.
Researchers believe the increase in gun ownership could be down to several factors including changing laws, a shift in attitudes, the political climate, and uncertain safety.
The uptick could also be attributed to a changing demographic. While firearms in the past have been associated with white men, largely for hunting, shifting attitudes now means that other groups are getting involved. For instance, 99% of Black and Asian women who own guns do so for self-defense.
Americans motivated by protection are also more likely to carry their gun outside of the home, particularly in States with Stand Your Ground” (SYG) laws.
SYG laws specifically affect the legal right to use deadly force for self-defense in public places, and therefore, increased firearm carriage might be a mechanism by which states with SYG laws have contributed to higher rates of firearm violence, the researchers said.
Psychological factors also play a part
The research also shed light on psychological factors that could play a part in people taking up firearms to protect themselves.
One example could be how distrust in society was more closely associated with owning guns than with someone who had been involved in an active shooter situation.
No matter your stance on gun ownership in America, there is a very clear and present issue to be addressed. In 2024 alone, there have already been 316 mass shootings.
The researchers now hope that their data could aid in the fight against gun violence, in turn, making the country safer for everyday Americans.
