Americans collectively own 461 million firearms — and AR-15-style rifles account for about 40 million of those, according to a new study by Georgetown University professor William English.
Overall, about 88 million Americans own guns, he calculates.
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Mr. English estimates that 25% of them, or almost 10% of the overall U.S. adult population, own an AR-15-type semiautomatic rifle, making it the most popular rifle on the market.
He argues in a brief to the Supreme Court that the prevalence of AR-15 ownership means the firearm is in common use, and therefore bans on its purchase or possession must be unconstitutional.
His national survey sampled nearly 52,000 adult residents, asking detailed questions of gun owners about their weapons, why they have them and how they’ve been used.
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The results paint a fascinating picture of the owners:
• Black and White ownership rates are nearly even in ownership rates, with both hovering around a third of their demographic.
• More than 37% of owners said they’ve had to use their gun to defend themselves, their relatives or their homes and property in some way.
• Shots were fired in less than a quarter of the incidents.
Those ownership patterns are a crucial part of the legal battles surrounding firearms ownership, as Democrat-led states move to restrict access and Republicans object, saying the Second Amendment guarantees the right to possess and carry a gun.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case in its upcoming term examining state laws prohibiting sales of AR-15-style rifles, which critics label “assault weapons.”
Other cases coming down the pike will challenge restrictions on where lawful owners can carry firearms in public and whether states can limit the capacity of ammunition magazines.
Mr. English’s study says the majority of gun owners also own magazines that hold more than 10 rounds and nearly 90% of them say they need the higher capacity for defensive purposes.
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