Once again, there is no evidence to demonstrate that the number of individuals who own firearms has decreased. It is nothing more than a mere theory devoid of proof.
Gun ownership has declined significantly according to three different surveys (CBS News poll, General Social Survey, Gallup):
These polls have zero validity considering the fact that the media and political blitz to delegitimize gun ownership while denigrating and defaming gun owners to the point that gun owners regularly refuse to answer questions about their ownership of guns to an anonymous pollster on the phone. There's a lot of gun owners that can say, honestly, that they've never been asked about their status as gun owners. I hadn't ever been asked until a relatively short time ago, and when I finally had a phone survey asked if I owned guns I unequivocally stated I did not; at which point the pollster thanked me and hung up.
Polls. Meaning there is no data that is actually scientific to demonstrate there are fewer individuals owning firearms. The above merely indicates the number of individuals willing to admit to owning firearms to random strangers has decreased. That is all the above data indicates, nothing more.
The number of NICS hits doesn't tell us how many unique buyers there are. Another reason to believe that the gun ownership rate is declining is that America is becoming more diverse. The demographic that likes guns the most (whites) is on its way to becoming a minority.
Which is true, as only centralized registration of every firearm in existence would be able to do such. Until such time that something along those lines comes about, it is nothing more than mere speculation. Which, again, is nothing more than mere speculation. Firearms ownership is not exclusive to whites.
Survey. Meaning the results possess no scientific accuracy, value, and demonstrate nothing except the number of individuals who are willing to admit to total strangers that they own a firearm.
With no information as to where exactly the chart came from, what the methodology of research amounted to, how the data was acquired, or any other pertinent information that would demonstrate it is more than simple guesswork.
It is about as accurate as one can find, a NICS check isn't run until the buyer competes a 4473 indicating they are already in the process of purchasing a firearm, likewise multiple hits indicate multiple purchases. As for demographics you are way off and borderline bigoted, blacks and females are one of the largest groups buying firearms, mostly handguns in the U.S.
How can we accurately demonstrate anything in regards to gun ownership when the Firearm Owners' Protection Act of 1986 prohibits states from maintaining any records? https://www.concealedcarry.com/law/are-guns-registered/
You are right and wrong, America has always had an increasingly diverse population. But in recent years that diversity has also increased among gun owners. I worked a gun show this weekend and it was attended by a broad segment of attendees reflecting the diversity in the US...of note, beside the racial and ethnic mix, was a very high ratio of single and groups of women (many with a fair display of firearms knowledge) and there were many women working with FFLs as far more than being simple ‘eye candy’, as they might have been decades ago... and I have noticed more working in gun shops. For example I over heard one, working for a local custom ammo load dealer, discussing loads with a few prospective customers, talking about the performance characteristics of various 5.56 loads given different barrel twists and barrel lengths. She fielded every question tossed her way. Regarding the NICS activity, I doubt many fill the paperwork to walk from a deal. However, if you buy multiple guns in a single transaction, only one form is needed. So, it’s entirely possible NICS hits underestimate the gun numbers. I am skeptical that any surveys reporting guns and gun ownership reflect any reality. If there is a decline in numbers, it could also reflect other possible things such as the difference in demography that owns the means to be contacted by those conducting surveys or those unwilling, like me, to divulge any info to anyone in a survey...some I suspect (can’t verify) is likely to be more prevalent these days among gun owners.
I think that the Pew Research Group can be acknowledged as a top notch information gathering organization. That said, their report on gun ownership in America is, at least, worthy of note. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...on-americans-views-of-guns-and-gun-ownership/
Their very first point: Three-in-ten American adults say they own a gun (emphasis mine). The numbers are still dependent upon those polled telling the truth regards to gun ownership. That's not necessarily a realistic expectation.
Fair enough. Flat earthers don't listen to actual data either. Not to accuse you of being one. It's just that it's so convenient for them, and you, to reject any results you don't agree with. Firearm ownership is legal in the U.S. What motive is there to lie about it, especially when you factor in that it is a blind survey? Emphasis mine. In other words, you suspect that most gun owners in America are also liars? What do you base this on?
My motive to lie about is the fact that there is a die hard element of American society that won't stop until they take all guns from civilian hands. I don't want them to know I have guns or how many. If someone came to my door or called and asked if I owned guns... I would say NO.
For a legal in all 50 states piece of metal? Trust me, comrade, those that want to know already know what you own, unless you forged it in dragon's breath yourself.
Polls conducted over the o gone that depend entirely upon the respondent admitting to a stranger on the phone, who called a phone number tied to their address, who was most likely hired by an antigun NFO, that, can't be considered accurate a enough to be "data", especially when different polls give so many different results. Galileo's 2014 poll said 32%; the 2016 polls said 39% and 40%. This 2018 Gallup poll says 43%. https://news.gallup.com/poll/1645/guns.aspx If we believe the polls, gun ownership is increasing. If gun ownership is legal, why do gun control groups make such a big deal out of a "declining" gun ownership rate? The knowledge seems to be of some import to them. There is no reason for anyone to know if you own guns, especially a pollster on the phone. I'd never tell anyone conducing a poll if I owned guns or not. There is no upside to telling them if I did. Most? Some, those who have sussed out the opposition.
Percentage of American homes with guns The University of Chicago's General Social Survey (GSS): 32.4% CBS News/New York Times: 36% Gallup: 39% Pew: 42% average = 37.35%
