No matter how you feel about guns, you can’t deny that firearms are a huge part of American culture. Yet even the biggest gun supporters don’t know everything about them. Here are thirteen gun facts that seem unbelievable — But they’re all completely true.
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More Guns Than People
First up, America has more guns than people. There are around 393 million firearms—which works out to be more than one gun per person. Every man, woman & child could be armed and we’d still have leftovers! It’s clear that America is a nation of many firearms, for better or for worse.
Gun Ownership Isn’t as Common as You Think
Since there are so many firearms, that must mean every American owns one, right? Wrong. Figures vary – yet they show around 30 to 40% of Americans own a gun. That means that less than half the country owns the lion’s share of all those millions of firearms and those who are into them likely have a collection.
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Elections Get People Buying
Nothing gets people rushing to the gun store quite like a presidential election because people become scared that the new leader might tighten gun laws. Sales go through the roof around election time. For example – during the 2008 & 2016 elections, people began lining up at gun stores as they feared they wouldn’t get another chance to buy what they wanted.
Protection Tops the List
Ask most gun owners why they bought a firearm and they’ll tell you it’s for protection. Even though lots of people get them for hunting & sport shooting – the main reason they keep a gun around is simply to feel safe at home. Most people want to be prepared for whatever comes their way.
Accidental Gun Deaths Are Rare
Given the number of guns, you might think accidents happen all the time but it’s actually quite rare. Accidental gun deaths make up less than 1% of all firearm-related deaths. The second largest number of gun deaths comes from homicides, which is around 40% of cases. For the most part, then, it seems that gun owners are careful with where they point.
Suicides Make Up the Majority of Gun Deaths
Sadly, almost 60% of gun deaths in the US are suicides and this represents the largest figure. Clearly, having access to guns can turn a moment of despair into a tragedy when mental health issues are involved. We need to have a conversation about how we care for each other—not only about gun ownership.
America’s Favorite Rifle
The AR-15 is the most popular rifle in America and that’s why it’s usually at the heart of gun debates. Despite all the controversy over the years, it’s still America’s favorite rifle—it’s just so versatile! There’s also a real sense of community around the AR-15 which has turned owning it into a passion project for many people.
The Unexpected Antique Gun Law
In America, firearms made before 1899 are not legally considered “firearms” at all, as they’re in a category of their own. You can buy & sell them without the same regulations that apply to modern firearms. Technically, that means you could own a piece of history without jumping through as many hoops.
The Tax That Funds Conservation
Part of all firearm & ammunition sales goes towards wildlife conservation and habitat protection. Through the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, taxes collected from these sales have contributed billions to conservation efforts. According to one study, hunters give around $3.5 million each day through this law.
The Library of Congress Has a Gun Collection
When you think of the Library of Congress, you probably imagine lots of old books & manuscripts—not guns. However, it has quite an impressive collection of firearms including historical pieces belonging to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Who knew you could learn about history and weaponry under one roof?
Gun Rentals for Practice
Many gun ranges have firearms for rent so that you can still practice shooting at a range. Why? So you can try different types of firearms before making a purchase or simply enjoy the shooting without commitments. However, it’s different in each place—some gun ranges require you to own a gun yourself before renting one.
The First Gun Control Law
The first gun control law in America might surprise you—it stopped Native Americans from owning guns. It passed in Virginia in 1619. The law stated, “That no man do sell or give any Indians any piece, shot, or powder, or any other arms offensive or defensive, upon pain of being held a traitor to the colony and of being hanged as soon as the fact is proved, without all redemption.”
The Unusual Gun Patents
Some gun patents are weirder than you might realize—including gun-equipped walking canes and firearms designed to look like cell phones. Of course, not all of these inventions have hit the mainstream market. But either way, it’s fascinating to see how creative some firearm manufacturers can be.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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