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Georgetown researcher releases 2026 firearms survey with higher estimates for gun ownership and defensive use

A newly updated study by William English estimates increased rates of AR-15 ownership, magazine possession, and defensive gun uses across the United States.

Updated Sep 4, 2026 · 09:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • Georgetown Professor William English published a redesigned 2026 National Firearms Survey to update his previous 2021 study.
  • The new estimates show higher figures for defensive gun use, AR-15-style rifle ownership, and public carrying permits compared to five years ago.
  • The survey methodology was revised to address prior criticisms regarding question wording and household gun attribution.
  • The findings provide fresh data points likely to feature prominently in ongoing legislative and legal debates over firearm regulations.

Key facts

  • Georgetown professor William English published the updated 2026 National Firearms Survey online to reassess national gun ownership metrics.[Fox News]
  • The 2026 survey estimates an annual average of 2.2 million defensive gun uses, up from 1.67 million estimated in the 2021 survey.[Fox News]
  • An estimated 26.4 million American adults currently own an AR-15 or equivalent semiautomatic rifle with a pistol grip.[Fox News]
  • The survey estimates that 44.5 million Americans currently own magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds, representing 50.5% of gun owners.[Fox News]
  • An estimated 33.6 million Americans are permit-holding public carriers who carry firearms for self-defense at least sometimes.[Fox News]
  • The estimated proportion of gun owners who are female rose by 3.5%, even after survey instructions explicitly told respondents to count only personally owned firearms rather than spouse or household guns.[Fox News]

What remains uncertain

  • The survey's estimates on defensive gun use and ownership rates rely on self-reported survey responses, which remain a subject of methodological debate among gun policy researchers and advocacy groups.[Fox News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.