How Many Guns Are in the United States?
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) reported in a national survey that in 1994, 44 million
people, approximately 35% of households, owned 192 million firearms, 65 million of which were
handguns. Seventy-four percent of those individuals were reported to own more than one
firearm.26 According to the ATF, by the end of 1996 approximately 242 million firearms were
available for sale to or were possessed by civilians in the United States. That total includes
roughly 72 million handguns (mostly pistols, revolvers, and derringers), 76 million rifles, and 64
million shotguns. By 2000, the number of firearms had increased to approximately 259 million:
92 million handguns, 92 million rifles, and 75 million shotguns. By 2007, the number of
firearms had increased to approximately 294 million: 106 million handguns, 105 million rifles,
and 83 million shotguns.