Self-Reported Gun Ownership in U.S. Is Highest Since 1993

[Abin Sur]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/150353/Self-Reported-Gun-Ownership-Highest-1993.aspx

Majority of men, Republicans, and Southerners report having a gun in their households

PRINCETON, NJ -- Forty-seven percent of American adults currently report that they have a gun in their home or elsewhere on their property. This is up from 41% a year ago and is the highest Gallup has recorded since 1993, albeit marginally above the 44% and 45% highs seen during that period.









Bottom Line

A clear societal change took place regarding gun ownership in the early 1990s, when the percentage of Americans saying there was a gun in their home or on their property dropped from the low to mid-50s into the low to mid-40s and remained at that level for the next 15 years. Whether this reflected a true decline in gun ownership or a cultural shift in Americans' willingness to say they had guns is unclear. However, the new data suggest that attitudes may again be changing. At 47%, reported gun ownership is the highest it has been in nearly two decades -- a finding that may be related to Americans' dampened support for gun-control laws. However, to ensure that this year's increase reflects a meaningful rebound in reported gun ownership, it will be important to see whether the uptick continues in future polling.

[ileus]

1. Let's hope the climb continues...now if we could get more sportsmen in the field.

From hunting to various shooting sports it's time to get America active again. What better way than one of our greatest traditions.

[Abin Sur]

3. I'm actually almost never "in the field", as it were.

I'm extremely pro-gun rights and have an extensive collection of firearms, but other than occasionally going to the range to keep up minimal shooting skills, my guns are almost never shot. From my point of view, they're collectible investments.

That having been said, your point is well taken.

[DrDan]

4. "sportsmen" - hilarious

[spin]

11. To you that's funny, but you are in the minority.

Those who oppose firearm ownership had their best chance to implement truly draconian gun control years ago. Back in 1959, 60% supported a ban on handguns.



Back in 1997, 57% supported a ban on semi-automatic rifles incorrectly known as "assault rifles". (An assault rifle is technically a rile that is capable of selective fire which means it offers fires in either a semi-auto mode or a fully automatic mode.)



And unfortunately for those who agree with your views, the support for stricter laws on firearm sales is diminishing rapidly.



The fact is that the American public is a lot smarter than your movement thought. All the bullshit about how allowing "shall issue" concealed carry, castle doctrine and other such laws would cause blood to flow in the streets and lead to a return to the Wild West ended up biting you in the ass. Crying wolf is often a poor tactic.

(note: graphs from http://www.gallup.com/poll/150341/record-low-favor-handgun-ban.aspx)

edited for typo

[DrDan]

19. killing as a sport - just a little hard for me to understand . . . .

[We_Have_A_Problem]

20. Much seems to be hard for you to understand.

Hunting is a sport. Simple as that.

Just because you do not understand something does not mean there is a problem with it. I don't understand the point of golf, but a lot of people enjoy it and who am I to tell them they cant?

[DrDan]

21. hunting = killing = sport (in your world)

Agree with you re golf. But I do not understand the thrill of the kill.

[oneshooter]

23. Do you eat meat or fish? Then you let others do your killing for you.

I hunt for meat, be it Squirrel or Elk. Take them with a bow, a muzzle loading rifle(or shotgun), a modern revolver, a Sharps or Winchester rifle. All animals are taken with a single shot to the head, neck or spine. All the meat is used.

You, on the other hand dare not bloody your hands with the work of killing your own meat. But rely on others to do the dirty work for you. Sounds kinda lazy to me.

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[spin]

25. Fishing is also considered a sport. ...

and most people where I live hunt and fish primarily for food however they consider both activities a sport.

Just because your views differ doesn't make you more correct than they are. Hunting or fishing isn't just killing, it involves a considerable amount of skill and many enjoy the chance to get out into the wild and away from the daily rat race.

[Euromutt]

22. Hunting doesn't just consist of killing

Look, last spring, I spent at least ten days yomping around the hills of south-eastern Washington state. In the end, I didn't hear or see a single turkey, let alone shoot at and kill one, but I did spend those days out in the woods, getting closer to owls, ravens and deer--among other things--than I ever have in my life (at least in the wild). So even though I didn't bring home any turkeys to cook and eat, I still had a thoroughly enjoyable time. And getting out into nature is an inextricable part of hunting; otherwise you might as well just go to an old-fashioned "turkey shoot".

[oneshooter]

28. I remember competing in live turkey shoots a lot of years ago.

Now I mainly shoot at a mark with a log or "chunk" gun.

http://www.ask.com/web?q=chunk%20gun&o=15527&l=dis&prt=SWL&chn=&geo=US&ver=1

[rl6214]

27. I supposed you think fishermen aren't sportsmen either.

That's why all that sort of gear is sold in sporting goods stores.

[SteveM]

15. Agreed. Hunters/fishers are the largest bulwark for conservation...

and the biggest block to environmental degradation, but their numbers (at least hunters) have been in decline since the early 90s. Further they are under attack by "animal rights" advocates who have little knowledge about what it takes to conserve and protect rural spaces and the flora and fauna which live there.

We also need those spaces for decent shooting ranges; i.e., I'm tired of shooting in hundred-yard, dimly-lit concrete hallways with the nearest outdoor range being the better part of an hour's drive away.

[krispos42]

2. Hmmm... so when gun-owners are in the majority again...

Do we get to mandate everybody carry guns?

[DrDan]

6. that must give the RW/NRA a wet-dream

[MicaelS]

12. And I bet that data like this gives you an ulcer...

Fortunately you can self-medicate. :bounce: :rofl:

[DrDan]

13. true - this hard turn to the right in the U.S. is giving me an ulcer

[SteveM]

17. Remember: The Kinks were around before gun-control made it into the Platform.

[Glassunion]

7. Only if the legislation reads...

Everyone carries a gun, everywhere, all the time... Always and forever and stuff.

[Hoopla Phil]

14. If the government can mandate that everyone carry health insurance then. . .

fill in the blank for what's next.

[krispos42]

24. I'm all set.

As long as small .22 pistols qualify. :-)

[We_Have_A_Problem]

26. I would no more support a mandate that everyone carry...

...then I would support a mandate that nobody does. Ones choices are his own. Others have no right to make that choice for you.

[Glassunion]

5. Cool...

I'm not only a 99%'er.

I'm also:
47%'er
40%'er
52%'er
and lastly a 36%'er

Why the big jump in Dem owners?

[krispos42]

8. Join the club!

:-)


Big jump in Dem owners? Probably because lots of Democratic states lightened up on rules and regs. Also, Dems probably don't want the Rebubes to be the only armed ones when the banks collapse... again.

[ileus]

9. The next time they collapse it's not going to be as pretty a sight.

[SteveM]

18. Good point about "Democratic states lightening up on rules and regs." nt

[rrneck]

10. This might be a factor. nt.

[SteveM]

16. I'm struck by the big jump in "Democratic" and "Women" categories...

The two plots could be a virtual doppelganger of each other.

Perhaps the "attitude" may reflect a rehabilitation in the image of guns from the comical spectacle of Diane Feinstein holding an AK-47 to the very real benefits seen in owning -- and knowing how to use -- firearms.

The truth about the "gun issue" appears to have emerged, despite the clamoring of the gun-control/prohibitionist groups and MSM. It would seem that there is a far greater presence on the Internet of pro-Second sites and forums than gun-control equivalents. And MSM at this time is in decline regarding its influence, and in any case seems of late able to report "gun issues" a little more accurately.