this post was submitted on 25 May 2025
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I'm speaking specifically about how many Americans have the legal ability to buy these weapons. The cost involved is why I added the "if they have the money" line.
I get that but there's about 258.3 adults in the US 18 or older, 196.8 adults 21 or older (some jurisdictions require a buyer to be 21).
If we apply the most conservative estimate of 30% of adults living paycheck to paycheck that leaves 180.81 million 18 or over adults, or 137.76 21 or over adults.
Averaging the 2 numbers gives us 159.285 million which is right in the ballpark of your estimate but we'd still have to account for the 32% that already own all the guns (there will be some overlap) and anybody precluded from owning a firearm (criminal record, active TRO/OFP etc.) and anybody who has to get a government issued permit first.
That's why, while I agree with your point, I think your estimate is high at 150 million.