An eye-popping seven-in-10 of all Americans have shot a gun, and those who own them say the main reason is for self protection by an overwhelming margin, according to a sweeping new survey on guns in America.
The Pew Research Center found a shocking percentage of Americans have handled a gun, even if they don’t own one.
“Americans have broad exposure to guns, whether they personally own one or not,” said the giant survey outfit.
Key findings:
- Seven-in-10 say they have fired a gun.
- At least two-thirds have lived in a household with a gun.
- Three-in-10 own a gun.
- 36 percent who don’t own a gun but are open to owning one.
- One-third say they don’t own a gun and don’t want one.
- 67 percent of gun owners say protection is the top reason; 38 percent cited hunting and 30 percent sport shooting.
- A majority of gun owners, 66 percent, have more than one.
- One-in-five gun owners belongs to the NRA.
The survey of 3,930 adults found a split on gun policy between owners and those who do not have a gun. For example, 59 percent of non-gun owners say gun violence is a “very big problem,” compared to 33 percent of gun owners.
And non-gun owners are far more likely to support gun control measures, such as banning assault-style weapons.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
