As calls from lawmakers and gun control activists grow, so too has the number of Americans who own guns.
A record 423 million firearms were reported in civilian possession from 1986 to 2018, according to newly-released data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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During the same period, 8.1 billion rounds of ammunition were said to have been possessed by American citizens.
At the same time, the violent crime rate has dipped by 48.6%. Specifically, firearms-related accidents have gone down by 68%.
“These figures show the industry that America has a strong desire to continue to purchase firearms for lawful purposes,” Joe Bartozzi, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, told American Military News. “The continued popularity of handguns demonstrates a strong interest by Americans to protect themselves and their homes, and to participate in the recreational shooting sports.”
