Retailer surveys and background check data point to the fact that nearly one in three gun buyers in 2021 was a new first-time firearm owner. 

The data, crunched by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, found that almost 30 percent of the 18.5 million who made firearm purchases last year went to new gun owners. This follows closely in the wake of a similar frenzy in 2020 that saw an estimated 8.4 million new gun owners out of 21 million firearms sold over the counter. 

"We welcome these new gun owners to the greater community of law-abiding Americans who choose to own a firearm for lawful purposes, including self-defense, recreational target shooting, and hunting,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF president and CEO. 

Bartozzi held the surveys revealed that new gun owners are continuing to embrace their Second Amendment rights and nearly half of them are seeking out professional training. 

"These trends show that not only is there still a strong interest in gun ownership but also that these new gun owners are interested in learning more about the safe and responsible handling, use, and storage of firearms,” he said. 

NSSF’s 2021 survey of retailers detailed a number of other key findings:

  • Nearly 47 percent of first-time gun buyers in 2021 inquired about training and 43 percent signed up for training
  • Nearly 23 percent of retailers indicated that first-time gun buyers in 2020 purchased another firearm in 2021
  • Over 33 percent of first-time gun buyers in 2021 were women
  • 44 percent of retailers saw an increase of African Americans purchasing firearms in 2021
  • Nearly 40 percent of retailers saw an increase of Hispanic Americans purchasing firearms in 2021
  • Over 27 percent of retailers saw an increase of Asian Americans purchasing firearms in 2021
  • Over 18 percent of retailers saw an increase of Native Americans purchasing firearms in 2021
  • Nearly 14 percent of retailers saw an increase of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders purchasing firearms in 2021
NSSF first time gun owner survey 2022
Infographic: NSSF


Banner image: Reaching for an HK MP7 at SHOT Show 2022. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

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