New Gun Survey Lands as SCOTUS Takes Up Major AR-15 Case

A new 2026 National Firearms Survey estimates approximately 88 million American adults own 461 million firearms—including roughly 40 million AR-15-type rifles—as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to consider a major Second Amendment case involving semiautomatic rifles. The second wave of the National Firearms Survey, authored by Georgetown University professor William English, surveyed 51,398 U.S. adults during July and August 2026 and identified 16,688 internally validated gun owners who answered detailed questions about firearm ownership and use. The survey estimates approximately 88 million American adults personally own firearms and that Americans possess roughly 461 million guns. Among the most notable findings is the estimated prevalence of AR-15-type rifles. The survey estimates approximately 40 million AR-15-type rifles are privately owned in the United States and that roughly 25% of American gun owners currently own an AR-15-type rifle. The new gun ownership data arrives as the U.S. Supreme Court considers major Second Amendment litigation involving AR-15-platform and similar semiautomatic rifles. In Viramontes v. Cook County, consolidated with Grant v. Higgins, the Supreme Court is considering whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee the right to possess AR-15-platform and similar semiautomatic rifles. Dave Workman, communications director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, discusses the National Firearms Survey and argues that the estimated prevalence of AR-15-type rifles supports the gun-rights position that the firearms are commonly owned for lawful purposes. The constitutional question remains before the Supreme Court, where supporters and opponents of restrictions on semiautomatic rifles are presenting competing arguments over the Second Amendment and how Supreme Court precedent should apply. The debate is also playing out in Washington state. Ryan Guzman, chief of staff for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, discusses the organization's priorities for Washington's 2027 legislative session, including strengthening secure firearm storage policies and increasing investment in community violence intervention and hospital-based intervention programs. Washington in Focus examines the 2026 National Firearms Survey, 461 million guns in America, 88 million American gun owners, 40 million AR-15s, AR-15 ownership, U.S. gun ownership, the Second Amendment, Viramontes v. Cook County, Grant v. Higgins, the U.S. Supreme Court, SCOTUS gun cases, Washington gun laws, secure firearm storage and the upcoming 2027 Washington legislative session. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #GunOwnership #AR15 #SecondAmendment #SCOTUS #GunRights #GunLaws #SupremeCourt #Firearms #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #NationalFirearmsSurvey #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus