As Firearm Sales Break Record After Record, Fewer Americans Admit Owning Guns

posted on July 1, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

In a survey conducted soon after the Orlando terrorist murders, CBS News says only 36 percent of respondents reported living in gun-owning households, the lowest figure reported by CBS since 1978 and nearly 10 percentage points down just from 2012.

While anti-gun media and lobbying groups point to this factoid as “evidence” that gun ownership is plummeting, it more likely means that Americans are simply keeping their Second Amendment rights closer to the vest. After all, with the FBI reporting over 150 million gun-purchaser NICS checks since 2000—and over 50 million just since 2012—the notion that Americans by the tens of millions are giving up their guns defies belief.

Even if CBS didn’t ask some loaded question to skew their results, Americans may simply not care to admit to a stranger on the phone that they own a gun, any more than they would report keeping quantities of cash or jewelry in the home. Can you blame them?

Latest

William A. Bachenberg
William A. Bachenberg

President’s Column | What a Year It Has Been!

Wow! How fast a year has gone by since being elected president at the end of April last year! My first column was titled “It’s A New Day At The NRA,” and included the following:

Standing Guard | We Are the Good Citizens

I am a big believer in transparency. Each individual needs privacy from unconstitutional government intrusion—this especially includes what guns a law-abiding American citizen might own—but an association of freedom-loving citizens must be transparent.

U.S. v. Hemani Arguments

On March 2, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in U.S. v. Hemani. The case involves a defendant who is fighting a federal indictment for possessing a firearm while being a marijuana user.

President’s Column | Getting You Up to Speed

A lot of things have occurred over the past month or so that not all members are completely aware of. I’ll use my column this month to update you on some important issues—transparency.

Standing Guard | The NRA Gathers to Celebrate Our Freedom

The momentum we’re seeing across the country is both encouraging and energizing. January opened with tremendous activity at the NRA booth during SHOT Show, where members, industry partners and supporters stopped by to connect, share ideas and reaffirm their commitment to freedom and the Second Amendment.

Port Authority Doubles Down on Constitution-Free Zone with High-Profile Arrest

As anyone who has passed a basic civics class knows, the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. All legislation and official government actions are subject to its limits.

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.