Asking how many guns are in the U.S. is like asking how many grains of salt are in the Dead Sea—there are simply too many to count. Due to privacy rights and the right to keep and bear arms, which governments in the U.S. are bound to respect, it’s nearly impossible to determine the exact number of firearms. The Supreme Court’s decision in Haynes v. U.S. (1968) ruled that firearm registrations are unconstitutional, further complicating any attempt at an accurate count.
However, we can make an educated estimate using NICS records, surveys, and import data. The following sections will explore everything you need to know about the number of guns in the U.S.
Report Highlights:
- According to the most recent estimates, the United States has between 400 million and 500 million civilian-owned firearms.
- There are 1.93 firearms for every adult in the U.S. and 1.5 for every American citizen, including children.
- In 2022, there were 22 million people with concealed carry permits.
- 46% of American households—approximately 65.19 million—contain at least one firearm.
- Since 1899, at least 494,060,285 firearms have been manufactured in the U.S.
Methodology
The United States government does not require firearm registration, so the total number of firearms in the country is unknown. However, we have studies, sales reports, and self-reporting surveys to validate estimates.
The following sections contain all available information from reputable sources. We’ve compared the year-over-year self-reporting trends to NICS background checks and NSSF sales reports to accurately analyze the number of guns in the U.S.
Furthermore, we accounted for privately manufactured firearms and firearms that are no longer in circulation based on ATF and DOJ reports over various years.
How Many Guns in America?
More than 490 million firearms have been imported or manufactured in the United States for civilian use since 1899. 1
However, this figure includes firearms that may have been destroyed or are no longer in circulation. Despite the known number of manufactured guns in the U.S., estimates suggest that the actual number is even higher.
Due to the rise of ghost guns, the ability to produce unregistered firearms, and the lack of reporting requirements for lost, stolen, or damaged guns, we must rely on NICS records and surveys to estimate the number of firearms in America.
The growth of firearms in America began gradually. In 1996, the ATF estimated there were 242 million firearms in the U.S. By 2000, that number had increased to 259 million.
In 2007, the estimate rose to 294 million; by 2009, it had surpassed 310 million. 2
By 2018, the reported number of firearms in the U.S. was 393 million. 3
Our most recent estimates suggest there are now more than 500 million civilian-owned firearms in the U.S.
- The most recent estimates (2024) suggest there are over 500 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States.
- In 2000, the ATF estimated there were 259 million firearms in the U.S.
- The largest surge in gun purchases occurred between 2020 and 2023, with over 1 million NICS background checks for purchases each month for 57 consecutive months.
Note: This data assumes that a purchase was made. It does not include permits and rechecks.
How Many Guns per Person in America?
Population estimates for 2024 show that the U.S. has approximately 345.4 million people, of which 258.3 million are adults. 11
Firearms in circulation are estimated to be over 500 million in the U.S., meaning there are roughly 1.5 firearms for every person in the country and about 1.93 firearms per adult.
Guns per Person in 2024:
- There are 1.93 firearms for every adult in the U.S.
- There are 1.5 firearms for every American, including both adults and children.
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