As society shifts away from traditional gender roles and women become more independent, it may surprise some of our readers that women have yet to embrace gun ownership fully. However, the gender gap between male and female gun ownership is slowly closing.
This article explores gun ownership by gender, the trends, and the responses to gun control.
Report Highlights:
- The gender gap in gun ownership has narrowed since 2021.
- In 2024, 40% of men (approximately 63 million) own firearms.
- In 2024, 25% of women (approximately 42 million) own firearms.
- 92% of women and 91% of men cite protection as their primary reason for owning firearms.
- Male support for gun control has increased by 30% since 2001, while female support for gun control has decreased by 8%.
Methodology
Ammo.com sources all information from reputable publications. However, due to reporting limitations and the Fifth Amendment, firearm ownership data largely relies on self-reporting surveys and NICS background check data.
We used various surveys and studies to analyze gun ownership trends and provide the most accurate data available.
Note: The United States does not officially track gun owners. All statistics included in the following sections come from self-reporting surveys and NICS background check data.
We strive to provide accurate and reliable information. You can view all of our sources HERE.
Gun Ownership by Gender by Year
Recent surveys indicate that 32% of Americans, or approximately 107.5 million people, personally own firearms 10, 12. However, gun ownership rates differ significantly between men and women.
While more men currently own firearms than women, the gap is closing. In 2024, 25% of women owned firearms compared to 40% of men. As we’ll explore below, the rate of new gun ownership is slowing among men while accelerating among women 1.
Gun Ownership Among Men in the US
Men have historically dominated gun ownership in the U.S. for centuries. However, by 2024, men are less likely to own guns than in previous years. In 1980, 50% of men, or about 55 million, owned firearms.
Despite an increase in the number of male gun owners today, with 40% of men—or approximately 63 million—owning guns, the overall rate of gun ownership among men has not kept pace with population growth.
While the number of male gun owners has increased over the past twenty years, the male population has grown even more, resulting in a decline in firearm ownership rates. This decline reflects a 20% decrease in the likelihood of men owning guns since 1980 and an 8% decrease since 2022.
Gun Ownership Among Women in the US
Not long ago, it was a social taboo for ladies to own firearms. However, women have begun embracing the greatest equalizer ever gifted to humankind and are now becoming gun owners at higher rates.
In 2024, 25% of American women, or about 42 million, owned guns, representing a 13% increase from 2022 1. For context, only 10% of women, or around 11 million, owned guns in 1980.11
Continue reading Gun Ownership by Gender in 2024: Closing the Gender Gap on Ammo.com
