Gun Ownership Among Republican Women is Surging: What It Means for the Firearms Community
Gun ownership in the U.S. has remained steady at around 30%, but the numbers tell a more complex story when you break them down by gender and political affiliation. The biggest trend? Republican women are increasingly embracing gun ownership, while fewer Democratic and independent men are choosing to own firearms.
Republican Women Lead the Surge
Between 2007 and 2024, gun ownership among Republican women jumped from 19% to 33%, reflecting a growing interest in self-reliance and personal protection within this group. Meanwhile, Republican men continue to lead all demographics, with 60% reporting gun ownership.
On the other hand, gun ownership among Democratic men has dropped seven percentage points to 29%, and independent men have also declined to 39%. This divergence highlights how political identity is becoming an even stronger predictor of gun ownership.
Shrinking Gender Gap
Historically, men have been more likely to own guns than women, but this gender gap is narrowing. In 2007-2012, men were 30 percentage points more likely to own a gun than women. Today, that gap has decreased to 23 points, with 43% of men and 20% of women now reporting gun ownership.
Political Affiliation and Gun Ownership
While gender remains a key predictor of gun ownership, political party affiliation is becoming more significant. Republicans are now 1.5 times more likely to own guns than non-Republicans, and Democrats are 1.3 times less likely. This marks a shift from 2007-2012, when party affiliation had a weaker influence on gun ownership rates.
Who Owns Guns Today?
Several demographic factors continue to influence gun ownership, including:
- Living in Rural Areas: Rural residents are the most likely to own guns, with 51% reporting firearm ownership, compared to just 20% of big-city residents.
- Regional Differences: The South leads the nation in gun ownership (40%), while the East lags behind (19%).
- Political Ideology: Conservatives (45%) are far more likely to own guns than liberals (16%).
- Household Income: Higher-income households are 2.2 times more likely to own guns than lower-income households.
- Age: Younger adults (18-29) report the lowest ownership rates, with just 20% owning firearms.
High-Ownership Subgroups
Certain combinations of factors lead to even higher gun ownership rates:
- Men living in rural areas: 67%
- Rural Republicans: 62%
- Conservatives in rural areas: 62%
- Rural Southerners: 59%
The Bottom Line
America’s overall gun ownership rate might appear steady, but a closer look reveals shifting dynamics. Republican women are increasingly joining the ranks of gun owners, driving a noticeable increase among women overall. Meanwhile, fewer Democratic and independent men are choosing to own guns, underscoring the growing connection between political identity and firearm ownership.
For gun enthusiasts, this trend reflects how the firearms community is evolving and highlights the importance of welcoming new groups—like Republican women—into the fold. As political and cultural battles over gun rights continue, these changes are reshaping who owns firearms in America.
