Georgetown University study estimates high ownership of semiautomatic firearms

A study by Georgetown University professor William English suggests that tens of millions of Americans own modern semiautomatic firearms. The research, which surveyed 51,398 U.S. residents, estimates that at least 88 million Americans own over 460 million firearms, including 60 million modern semiautomatic rifles.

The findings could impact the pending Supreme Court case Viramontes v. Cook County, a lawsuit challenging an Illinois county ban on certain firearms. Under Second Amendment precedents established in Heller and Bruen, firearms deemed to be ‘in common use’ may receive constitutional protection.

The study also noted that firearm ownership is diversifying, particularly among women and minorities. The data comes amid ongoing legal battles regarding semiautomatic firearm bans, such as those recently challenged in Virginia.