A Georgetown University study led by William English suggests that roughly 60 million AR-style and similar rifles are currently held by Americans. The research, based on a mid-2026 sample of over 51,000 people, underscores the vast number of firearms targeted by proposed assault weapon bans.
40 Million AR-15s and the Scale of Private Ownership
The Georgetown University survey, conducted by William English, reveals a staggering volume of high-capacity firearms in private hands. According to the Georgetown University survey, Americans own approximately 40 million AR-15-style rifles, with an additional 20 million firearms that typically fall under the umbrella of "assault weapons" in legislative proposals. This brings the total to roughly 60 million weapons that would be affected by a comprehensive federal ban.
The study utilized a nationally representative sample of 51,398 individuals during July and August 2026. By providing such a large data set, William English has highlighted that the prevalence of these platforms is significantly higher than many previous industry and government estimates had suggested.
The Jump from 20 Million Rifles in 2020 to Today's Totals
The current figures represent a massive surge in ownership over a short period. As the report says, these findings align with data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF),which estimated that there were nearly 20 million AR-style and AK-style firearms in circulation in 2020. That number rose to 24,446,000 by 2022, and by January 15 , 2026, NSSF data indicated the count had climbed to approximately 60 million.
This rapid growth suggests that AR-15-style rifles are no longer a niche preference but have become a dominant fixture in the American gun market. William English noted that these firearms now rival or even exceed the popularity of traditional handguns and hunting rifles, reflecting a broader shift in how Americans perceive the utility of their firearms.
Home Defense as the Primary Driver for 60 Million Owners
The motivation behind this ownership surge is rooted in security concerns. William English found that the primary reason cited by gun owners for possessing these rifles is home defense. This creates a fundamental ideological clash : while Democratic lawmakers argue that these weapons are disproportionately used in violent crimes and mass shootings, millions of citizens view them as the optimal tool for protecting their households.
The lethality and military-style features of the AR-15 platform are the central points of contention for opponents of the rifles. however, the Georgetown University data suggests that for a significant portion of the population, the perceived defensive capability outweighs the concerns regarding the weapons' potential for mass casualties.
The Logistics of a Mandatory Buyback for 60 Million Firearms
The scale of ownership revealed by William English raises critical questions about the feasibility of current policy goals. if 60 million rifles are in circulation, a mandatory buyback program would require a financial investment and an administrative apparatus of unprecedented proportions. It remains unclear how the federal government would identify, track, and incentivize the surrender of tens of millions of privately owned weapons.
Furthermore, the report focuses on the quantity of firearms but leaves open the question of how many of these 60 million rifles are registered versus unregistered. Without a national registry, the ability of any future administration to enforce a ban or a buyback remains purely theoretical, leaving a gap between legislative ambition and practical reality.
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