Millions of Americans became first-time gun owners post-pandemic

1. This national survey estimated that 29.8 million U.S. adults acquired firearms between 2021 and 2024, including 11.2 million individuals who became first-time gun owners.
2. Approximately 70% of new gun owners introduced firearms into households that previously did not contain them.

Evidence Rating Level: 3 (Average)

Study Rundown:

Firearm purchasing in the United States increased substantially beginning in early 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and appeared to taper by late 2023. This study examined whether the decline in firearm acquisitions from 2021 to 2024 reflected fewer purchases by new gun owners or reduced purchasing among existing firearm owners. It also explored differences in purchasing patterns across demographic groups. Findings suggest that millions of adults acquired firearms during this period, including both first-time purchasers and individuals who already owned firearms. Among new gun owners, women and individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups represented a larger proportion of purchasers compared with existing firearm owners. In contrast, acquisitions among existing owners were more commonly reported by men and White individuals. By the end of the study period, new gun owners accounted for a meaningful share of firearm owners in several demographic groups, particularly among women and Black adults. Over time, the proportion of firearms purchased by first-time owners declined, indicating a gradual shift toward purchases made by individuals who already owned firearms. Many new owners also reported introducing firearms into households that had not previously contained them. Although the study may be limited by potential sampling and recall biases, the findings suggest that firearm ownership expanded during the height of the pandemic and highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring of firearm ownership trends and demographic shifts.

Click to read this study in AIM

Relevant Reading: Firearm Purchasing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From the 2021 National Firearms Survey

In-Depth [survey]: This national survey aimed to estimate how many adults in the United States purchased firearms since January 1, 2021, how many were new owners, and how many additional individuals became exposed to household firearms as a result. Data were obtained from a probability-based online survey of U.S. adults conducted between December 18 and December 25, 2024. Participants were asked about personal and household firearm ownership. New gun owners were defined as respondents who purchased a firearm after January 2021 but did not previously own one. If a new gun owner lived in a household without other firearm owners at the time of purchase, they were considered to have introduced firearms into that household. Of the 21,907 panelists invited to participate, 12,860 responded (58.7%). Overall, 4,059 respondents identified as firearm owners, representing an estimated 28.6% of U.S. adults (approximately 77 million people). Among firearm owners who completed purchasing questions, 11.2% of U.S. adults reported acquiring a firearm between January 2021 and December 2024. Of those who purchased firearms during this period, 4.2% of U.S. adults, approximately 11.2 million people, became new gun owners. Among these new owners, 46.3% were women, and the group was more racially diverse than existing firearm owners, with 53.9% identifying as White non-Hispanic, 20.1% as Black non-Hispanic, and 20.4% as Hispanic. In contrast, purchases by existing firearm owners were more commonly reported by men (76.9%) and White non-Hispanic adults (78.2%). Importantly, approximately 70% of new gun owners introduced firearms into households that previously did not contain them, resulting in an estimated 9.0 million additional adults and 6.6 million children being newly exposed to household firearms. Overall, the findings suggest that about 11 million U.S. adults became first-time gun owners between 2021 and 2024, with notable increases among women and racial and ethnic minority groups.

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