A recent NBC News national poll reveals a record-high number of American voters reporting gun ownership in their households, marking a significant increase over the past decade. According to the survey, 52% of respondents or someone in their homes own a firearm, the highest percentage since NBC started tracking this data in 1999.
This figure is notably up from 46% four years ago and 42% a decade ago. The trend indicates a substantial 10-point growth in gun ownership over the past decade.
Micah Roberts of the Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies, involved in conducting the poll alongside Democratic pollster Hart Research, expressed surprise at the rapid increase in gun ownership, emphasizing that such fundamental aspects typically change more gradually.
The survey also highlighted the persistently partisan nature of gun ownership, with 66% of Republicans, 45% of independents, and 41% of Democrats reporting firearm ownership in their households.
Gun sales across the nation have surged, reaching the third-highest October on record for federal background checks for gun transfers, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). The foundation’s report disclosed over 1.3 million gun checks completed in October, an 8.4% increase from the same period in 2022.
Mark Oliva, an NSSF spokesperson, attributed the rise in sales to the heightened awareness of Americans regarding the importance of their Second Amendment rights. He suggested that recent tragic events, including the October 7 massacre in Israel by Palestinian terrorists and a mass shooting in Maine, may have influenced first-time buyers.
A notable aspect of the trend is the increased gun purchases among Jewish Americans, particularly since the October 7 Hamas terror attack. Gun store owners in California and Georgia reported a surge in first-time buyers from the Jewish community, highlighting a desire for self-defense and safety. In California, Burbank Ammo and Guns saw a more than 450% increase in firearms safety certificate tests, with individuals, including women and mothers, seeking information on what is allowed for self-defense. The trend underscores a growing recognition of the right to legal firearm ownership among Americans for personal security.
