U.S. Civilians Own 393 Million Firearms

The 2018 Small Arms Survey analyzed the number of guns in circulation across 230 countries, finding that approximately 857 million firearms are in the hands of civilians. That figure is 32 percent higher than a previous estimate in 2006. 40 percent of the global total - an estimated 393 million guns - are owned by civilians in the United States.

India has the second highest number of civilian-owned firearms with just over 70 million while China comes third with nearly 50 million. When the figures are broken down per 100 inhabitants however, things look very different. Last year, the U.S. had 120.5 guns per 100 residents, far ahead of second-placed Yemen's 52.8. With 39.1 each, Serbia and Montenegro come joint-third. The situation is completely different in Japan and Indonesia with both countries having fewer than one gun per 100 residents.