How Heavily Armed is Your State?

Statistics on gun ownership across the U.S. are hard to nail down, but take a a look at per capita weapons data, based on the ATF's National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and 2013 data from the U.S. Census.
Statistics on gun ownership across the U.S. are hard to nail down, but take a a look at per capita weapons data, based on the ATF's National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and 2013 data from the U.S. Census.

November 20, 2018 – In Breaking News – CBS News

Methodology

Here is a look at per capita weapons data, based on the ATF’s National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and 2013 data from the U.S. Census.

While the ATF’s National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record is the only accessible list of its kind, it is not all-inclusive.

Wheeler's Fastway Guns
Wheeler’s Fastway Guns

NFA firearms only include the categories regulated by The National Firearms Act of 1934: machine guns, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, suppressors, destructive devices like bombs and grenades, concealable devices with the ability to discharge a shot through the energy of an explosive, and any firearm with a bore over half an inch that has not been determined to have a legitimate sporting use.

But some guns fall outside of this scope, and many aren’t registered, meaning surveys on gun ownership come to different conclusions.

For a look at those results, check out this list.

(Learn how the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) protects the public from crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and the diversion of alcohol and tobacco products; regulates lawful commerce in firearms and explosives; and provides worldwide support to law enforcement, public safety, and industry partners. Courtesy of the ATF HQ and YouTube. Posted in August 2017.)

51. Delaware

Statistics on gun ownership across the U.S. are hard to nail down; the ATF’s National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record is not all-inclusive, and some guns go unregistered.

But “Injury Prevention,” a scholarly journal, has released what may be the closest look yet.

Their survey, published in 2015, asked a representative sample of 4,000 adults nationwide whether they own firearms. The findings helped the research group estimate gun ownership rates in each state.

Delaware’s gun ownership rate is the lowest in the country, at 5.2 percent. That’s far below the national average of 29.1 percent.

Here, revolvers are on display at Miller’s Gun Center in New Castle, Delaware.

Read more… How heavily armed is your state?

Learn More…

ATF 2017 US Firearms Trace Data Report Released (Learn More, Videos)

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