Most gun owners cite protection as a major reason for owning a gun

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June 20, 2017

America’s Complex Relationship With Guns

Most gun owners cite protection as a major reason for owning a gun

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Most gun owners cite protection as a major reason for owning a gun

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America’s Complex Relationship With Guns
Americans are divided between those who say the NRA has too much and the right amount of influence
Gun owners and non-owners disagree on impact that ease of access to legal guns has on gun violence
Among gun owners there are large partisan gaps in opinion about restricting and expanding gun rights
Some agreement and many divisions between owners and non-owners on gun proposals
Despite some agreement, gun owners and non-owners mostly differ on views of key responsibilities of gun owners
About four-in-ten gun owners say there is always a loaded gun within easy reach when they’re at home
Men are more likely than women to participate in some gun-oriented activities
Gun ownership varies across demographic groups
About three-quarters of gun owners say owning a gun is essential to their freedom
Majority of gun owners own multiple guns
About four-in-ten U.S. adults say they live in a gun-owning household
About one-in-ten handgun owners say they carry all of the time

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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