A new survey from Georgetown University indicates that Americans possess approximately 60 million firearms that fall under the category Democrats often refer to as âassault weapons,â a figure that far exceeds earlier industry estimates and underscores the continued growth of gun ownership in the United States.
The survey, conducted by Georgetown professor William English, drew on a ânationally representative sample of 51,398 individualsâ during July and August 2026, according to the studyâs abstract. The full survey was published by Ammoland, and its findings suggest that about 40 million of those firearms are AR-15-style rifles, with the remaining 20 million consisting of other guns that Democrats have targeted in proposed bans.
The numbers represent a significant jump from previous estimates. Breitbart News reported that the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) had placed the number of AR/AK-style firearms in circulation at nearly 20 million in 2020, rising to 24,446,000 by 2022. By January 2026, NSSF data indicated more than 32 million guns in the hands of Americans that Democrats label as âassault weapons.â
Englishâs survey places the current total at 60 million, a figure that tracks with the accelerated growth seen over the past several years. Notably, the survey found that the most commonly cited reason for owning such firearms is home defense.
The findings come amid ongoing political debate over gun policy, with Democrats in Congress and the White House pushing for new restrictions on semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. Proponents of such measures argue they are necessary to reduce mass shootings, while opponents contend that the firearms are widely used for lawful purposes, including self-defense, and that banning them would infringe on Second Amendment rights.
The surveyâs large sample size and national scope lend weight to its estimates, though it relies on self-reported data from gun owners, who may be more or less likely to disclose ownership depending on prevailing political sentiments. Still, even the lower NSSF figures from earlier years showed a steady upward trend in the number of these firearms, and the new Georgetown numbers suggest that trend has not slowed.
The 60 million figure is more than double the NSSFâs 2022 estimate, indicating either a dramatic acceleration in sales or a broader definition of what counts as an âassault weapon.â Englishâs methodology, which was reviewed by Breitbart News, appears to include any firearm that would be covered by typical Democratic proposals, which often target features like detachable magazines, pistol grips, and folding stocks.
Political observers note that the survey could influence the ongoing legislative fights at both the federal and state levels. Several states have already enacted their own bans on such firearms, and legal challenges have produced mixed results in the courts. The U.S. Supreme Court has recently heard cases involving gun restrictions, and its rulings have generally affirmed an individual right to keep and bear arms, though it has allowed for some regulations.
The surveyâs release is likely to be seized upon by gun rights advocates who argue that banning a class of firearms owned by tens of millions of Americans would be impractical and politically risky. Conversely, gun control groups may point to the same numbers to argue that the proliferation of these weapons poses a public safety threat that demands action.
English, whose previous research on gun ownership has been widely cited, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The survey was conducted online, with participants recruited from a panel designed to reflect the U.S. population, and it included oversamples of gun owners to ensure robust analysis.
The findings also highlight the growing popularity of the AR-15 platform, which has become the best-selling rifle in America. Industry data from the NSSF has shown that modern sporting rifles have been a major driver of gun sales, particularly during periods of political uncertainty and social unrest.
As the debate over âassault weaponsâ continues, the Georgetown survey provides new data that both sides are likely to use to bolster their arguments. With nearly 60 million such firearms in circulation, any federal ban would face enormous logistical and legal hurdles, making it an issue that is likely to remain at the center of American politics for years to come.
Source: www.breitbart.com â https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/09/01/survey-americans-own-60-million-guns-democrats-label-assault-weapons/