Who owns guns?
The answer may surprise you
This week, Dr. Pierre Atlas, 97Percent’s newest advisory board member, tells us what brought him to 97Percent, and why the faces of gun ownership in the U.S. are more diverse than Americans are led to believe.
I was doing some online research on gun-related interest groups for my Gun Culture and Policy class at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Indianapolis and came across 97Percent. I had never heard of the organization, but as I perused the website, I came to realize that I personally aligned with the organization’s positions and policy recommendations for reducing gun violence.
What attracted me to 97Percent was its practical and pragmatic approach, devoid of the ideological positioning and grandstanding that I see in many gun reform and gun rights groups today. So I reached out to 97Percent, introduced myself, and shared some of my writings on the subject.
Although there is a deep partisan and ideological divide in this country when it comes to guns—fueled and exacerbated by interest groups on both sides—I have long believed that one thing most Americans (gun owners and non-gun owners alike) can agree on is the need to reduce America’s horrific (and globally unique) number of gun deaths and nonfatal shootings each year.
You wouldn’t know it from the heated rhetoric on guns, but not all gun owners and not all people who support gun rights are “angry white conservatives.” As with many issues, the loudest and most extreme views and actors tend to get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to guns and gun rights. But there are many responsible gun owners who are politically centrist or even liberal on other issues, and there are many people of color who are gun owners—and these folks live in urban and suburban areas as well as rural areas and small towns.
It is estimated that guns can be found in about 40-45% of American households, but fewer than 5 million Americans are NRA members (which is by far the nation’s largest pro-gun group). Put differently, the vast majority of gun owners are not affiliated with pro-gun interest groups, and I would suggest that at least some of those gun owners share many of the political and social views of people who would never own a gun.
Most if not all gun owners would like to see a significant reduction in the number of gun deaths—suicides as well as homicides—and accidental and nonfatal shootings. I suggest there is an untapped “silent majority” of gun owners out there that non-gun owners need to engage with to try to reach common ground on a range of reasonable and practical policies. The question is, how do we get there from here? That’s exactly the question 97Percent addresses. I’m glad to be on board. —Pierre Atlas, 97Percent Advisory Board Member
On the Hill
The spending legislation approved by the House last week prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from sending the names of U.S. veterans who’ve had financial managers appointed to them to the federal background check system under any circumstances—even in the event of a judge’s order. The bill must still be negotiated with the Senate, however, meaning the stipulation for a judge’s order might make it back into the bill. —Military.com
We say: We supported an earlier provision, passed in 2024, that restricts the VA from automatically sending the names of all veterans who require a fiduciary to manage their financial affairs to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. But we believe a reasonable exception should be made if a judge issues an order determining that a veteran is a danger to themselves or others.
More on the Hill:
White House enlists doctors and hospitals to combat gun violence —California Healthline
As election nears, gun sales fall —The Reload
In the Courts
Maryland’s attorney general and local prosecutors are now able to sue gunmakers and sellers who “knowingly” harm the public or create a public nuisance under a new state law, one of more than 130 that took effect earlier this month. However, the U.S. Supreme Court is taking up a case this fall that could affect the Maryland law.
Mexico v. Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. involves a suit by the Mexican government against Smith & Wesson, other U.S gun manufacturers, and a gun distributor that Mexico claims have helped facilitate illegal gun trafficking into that country. If Smith & Wesson wins, the ruling would likely deem Maryland’s gun industry act “unconstitutional.” —Maryland Matters
More in the courts:
Louisville judge acknowledges 'inconsistent' rulings on whether felons have right to own guns —WDRB
Michigan township’s gun range denial upheld despite Bruen ruling —Bloomberg Law
Records expunged for St. Louis couple who waved guns at protesters. They want their guns back —TribLIVE.com
State asks top NC court to block Second Amendment ruling in UNC case —Carolina Journal
In the States
Despite its reputation as a “deep red” state, Missouri’s governor Mike Parson is signing into law several provisions aimed at reducing gun deaths and injuries. The first is known as “Blair’s Law,” which bans celebratory gunfire. It was named after an 11-year-old Kansas City-area girl who died on July 4, 2011, from injuries she received from a stray bullet. Gov. Parson previously vetoed this bill.
The second creates a felony offense to be imposed on anyone who “knowingly encourages or aids a child less than 17 to engage in any conduct violating law relating to firearms.” And the last would raise the penalty for unlawfully possessing a firearm to a Class C felony, or a Class B felony if a dangerous felony is involved. —KFVS12
We say: Thank you, Missouri legislators, for proving that it is possible to pass reasonable gun safety legislation in a bipartisan manner.
More in the states:
California: Gun makers, retailers barred from selling ghost gun kits in CA —Los Angeles Times
Colorado: New law bans guns in schools, government buildings, polls —The Denver Post
Maryland: Children shooting themselves raises worries over ghost guns —The Washington Post
Maryland: Prince George’s considers requiring gun safety pamphlets at shooting ranges, gun dealers —NBC4 Washington
Michigan: Gun control groups aim to close 'loophole' in Michigan protection orders —Bridge Michigan
New Mexico: Red flag law concerns raised before son charged in father's death —KOAT
New York: Investigation: No interactive 'red flag' police training before mass shooting —Scripps News
New York: Safe gun storage info to go out to all NYC public school families this year —New York Daily News
Ohio: Akron mass shooting injures 27 victims; 45 shell casings found from five guns —Cleveland.com
Rhode Island: Safe storage on track to become law —WPRI
Tennessee: Knoxville mother seeking gun control after her 2-year-old daughter was shot —WATE
Vermont: New law requires serial numbers on 'privately made' firearms —Police 1
Why is Hunter Biden on trial, and why might Donald Trump lose his gun license?
It’s pretty rare to see a former president and a current president’s son on trial within just a few weeks of one another, but that’s exactly where we are right now. Donald Trump’s trial wrapped up on May 30, and Hunter Biden’s trial began on June 3.
Hunter Biden’s trial directly dealt with firearm possession. He faced three charges for allegedly buying a gun while in the throes of drug addiction: unlawfully possessing a gun as a drug user, lying on a federal form when he bought the gun, and making a false statement about information required to be collected by a federally licensed gun dealer. He was convicted of all three charges earlier today.
Trump’s trial had nothing to do with firearms, but because he was found guilty of a felony, the New York Police Department will likely revoke his gun license, a routine action that the former president could appeal. Trump’s concealed carry license was already suspended in 2023, following his indictment, and two of his three licensed pistols were turned over to the NYPD at the time. (Sources: Politico, Forbes)
Do you have a comment about any of these critical issues? Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you. Please include your first name and state, and we may publish it in a future issue. Thank you for reading!
For more information about 97Percent, please visit our website at 97Percent.us.
Join our growing community of gun owners and non-gun owners united to reduce gun deaths in America.
What I find interesting about 97Percent is that while they mention all the benefits of the myriad of 2A laws, and proclaim to be safety oriented (which we are all for) they fail to mention ALL the good things in gun/firearms education that is already on the books and ongoing thru gun rights organizations! NRA trains and educates thousands of Range Safety Officers who instruct millions of gun owners. This happens in safe environments and via safe sanctioned organizations. Because these basic programs and rights are not even mentioned, it leaves readers with the impression that 97Percent is nothing more than a gun control group with a hidden, or different angle approach to anti gun outcomes. I am just saying, because of the attacks on gun owners nationwide. Maybe we could see a combined effort on these issues from both sides. Example: Does Mexico believe that the gun manufactures are really responsible for cartels owning guns in Mexico? (The Obama admin. ran guns to Mexico aka "fast and furious"). So they want to sue American gun manufacturers? While the cartels run the US Southern Border which gets less attention than the issue of guns by this group? Rahaimi is a good decision, but how anti gunners frame it and use it against the Bruen Decision might be more telling as multiple anti-gun AG's from anti-gun states have come out of the wood work to attack every angle regarding legitimate gun owners. Can we see the statistics in a state like California where the government is overtly on the attack against law abiding gun owners? Statistics such as the number of NEW laws enacted regarding gun owners / regulations in the state? It will become obvious that the 2nd amendment may be under attack like no other constitutional amendment in America! Finally, look at the criminal % of LAW ABIDING gun owners, especially CCW (and find the lowest criminality of groups of individuals) and yet, always under attack! Please address all issues. Thank you. In principal I support the 97Percent cause, yet have many, many questions about the true motive behind this group. Here is an open opportunity to address some of the issues I just highlighted. Be my guest. Thanks again. RH - California