Women Are Leading a Surge in Gun Ownership — Here’s Why
By Beth Alcazar, Opinion Contributor – 12/28/24
There’s a quiet revolution happening in the world of gun ownership in America — and it’s being led by women.
For years, firearms ownership was seen as a predominantly male activity, but recent trends show that women are driving the surge in new gun buyers. A recent Gallup poll highlights this growing shift, showing that women are not only purchasing firearms at higher rates, they are rethinking what it means to protect themselves and their families in today’s world.
This is no fleeting trend; it’s a cultural shift. And it’s changing the face of gun ownership across the country.
According to Gallup, gun ownership has surged dramatically among women, particularly among Republican women, where ownership jumped from 19 percent in 2007-2012 to 33 percent in 2019-2024. This reflects a broader trend: Women are not just buying guns for recreational purposes, they are increasingly turning to firearms as a way to protect themselves in uncertain times.
And the shift isn’t limited to any one political group either. Democrats are also purchasing firearms at higher rates, driven in large part by concerns over personal safety. In fact, the desire for self-defense is now a bipartisan concern, transcending political lines, race and backgrounds and reflecting a broader spectrum of values and beliefs.
As a mother of three, I know firsthand what motivates millions of women across the country to take their right to protection into their own hands. It’s about protecting what matters most — our loved ones. In the face of rising crime, civil unrest and unpredictable threats, many women are choosing to own a gun to be their family’s first line of defense.
But it’s also about freedom, choice and personal empowerment. Women are no longer relying solely on traditional means of protection or waiting for others to ensure their safety. Firearms ownership gives women the power to defend themselves in a way that aligns with their own sense of security. This shift is part of a larger cultural change, one that values personal responsibility, self-reliance and the right to protect oneself. Women are taking control of their own narratives and shaping the future of gun ownership in the process.
Read the full article from The Hill HERE.