In recent years, a noticeable shift has occurred in the demographics of gun owners in the United States.
A growing number of Americans, many of whom have never owned a firearm before, are now purchasing guns for the first time.
This new wave of gun ownership, spurred by various personal reasons, reflects a diverse and changing landscape when it comes to firearms in America.
The Surge in Gun Ownership During the Pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, an estimated 7.5 million American adults became new gun owners.
This surge was particularly notable among groups that were previously less likely to own firearms, including women, Black Americans, and Hispanic Americans.
According to research by Harvard, half of the new gun owners were women, and 20% of them were Black or Hispanic.
This shift reflects not only a broader social trend but also a diversification of gun ownership across gender, race, and political beliefs.
In fact, the political divide over gun ownership is slowly closing.
A 2023 Pew Research Center survey revealed that while 45% of Republicans report owning a gun, 20% of Democrats or Democratic leaners do as well.
More and more Democrats are arming themselves, demonstrating that gun ownership is increasingly seen as a personal safety issue rather than a purely partisan one.
Personal Protection and Political Shifts in Gun Ownership
For many new gun owners, personal protection is the primary reason for purchasing a firearm.
In the same Pew survey, 72% of gun owners stated that their main reason for owning a gun was to protect themselves and their families.
Other reasons included hunting (32%), sport shooting (30%), gun collecting (15%), and work-related needs (7%).
John Tsien, 47, who spoke to DailyMail.com, shared his personal journey toward gun ownership.
Tsien, who moved politically from conservative to more left-leaning views over time, decided to purchase his first gun after noticing a surge in anti-Asian sentiment during the early stages of the pandemic.
The experience of racial tension made him reconsider his stance on firearms, and he now feels that gun ownership can transcend political labels.
“I don’t think it should be a liberal or conservative issue,” Tsien said.
“There’s an increasing number of people, not just conservatives, picking up firearms.”
His decision to buy a Ruger .22 caliber pistol was directly influenced by his desire for personal protection against rising hate crimes and violence toward the Asian community.
Gun Ownership as a Form of Anxiety Relief
For Tsien, gun ownership eventually became more than just about protection—it turned into a way to ease anxiety.
He compared the act of shooting to a therapeutic exercise, similar to medication or therapy.
“The firearm is actually a salve for anxiety,” he explained. “If you can reduce anxiety in a safe way, I don’t see how that’s different from other forms of therapy.”
Tsien’s experience is shared by many others who turn to firearms not just for protection, but for the sense of control they provide.
The shooting range, he noted, is becoming increasingly diverse, with people from different backgrounds and political beliefs taking up the sport.
He recalled seeing Jewish people and people of color joining the range, as well as women increasingly becoming interested in firearms.
Women and Transgender Individuals Finding Empowerment Through Gun Ownership
The trend of women embracing gun ownership has also been growing.
Victoria Alston, a 30-year-old Black woman from Arkansas, said that her decision to buy a gun was directly related to her feeling of vulnerability after separating from her spouse.
She had never considered firearms much before, but after experiencing a home break-in, she realized she needed protection.
Women are often the least protected people, especially when we’re alone,” Alston said.
Similarly, Anna Kolanowski, a 28-year-old transgender woman, described how her opinion on guns changed after coming out in 2021.
Once she transitioned, she felt increasingly vulnerable in a world that often feels hostile toward transgender individuals.
“If something had happened and I wasn’t able to run, what would I do to defend myself?” she asked, explaining that her shift toward firearm ownership was about safety and empowerment. She now owns a Glock 43X and has started learning how to use it.
Shifting Political Beliefs and the Decision to Buy Firearms
For others, gun ownership was tied to a shift in political beliefs.
John Alvarado, a 30-year-old Black and Latino man, initially leaned left politically but began buying firearms during the pandemic after becoming disillusioned with the government.
As political tensions rose during the mask and vaccine mandates, Alvarado felt that the world had become more dangerous. “
Bad guys exist everywhere,” he said. “If I’m ready, I never have to get ready.”
Now more right-leaning, Alvarado sees his firearms as essential for protecting his family.
A New Wave of Gun Owners Looking for Safety and Security
Dr. Ken Green, a 70-year-old retired Navy dentist from California, also turned to gun ownership after a series of societal shifts.
The January 6th Capitol riot, as well as a rising tide of extremism and hate, made him feel increasingly vulnerable.
Green, who had never considered owning a firearm before, bought his first gun—a Smith and Wesson 9-millimeter handgun—after witnessing the violent events of the Capitol attack.
“For me, it wasn’t about protecting myself from a cartel,” Green explained.
“It was about protecting myself from a growing wave of antisemitism and ultra-right, white nationalism.”
He feels that these societal tensions, amplified by political polarization, have made owning a firearm a necessary form of self-protection.
Conclusion: A Changing Landscape of Gun Ownership in America
As more Americans, from all walks of life, embrace gun ownership, it’s clear that the reasons behind this decision are as varied as the people making it.
Whether driven by personal protection, political shifts, or societal changes, gun ownership is becoming more widespread and diverse.
For many, it’s no longer a political statement—it’s about feeling safe and secure in an increasingly uncertain world.