Are guns going out of favor with the younger crowd?

[Hal]

Being young these days has to be a tough job. I don't know how kids these days get by. It costs a small fortune to do even simple things like going out on a date. In my youth, a $10 or $20 covered it - no problem. Now, that doesn't even cover the cost of gas it seems! Things like that don't leave much room for spending money & ammo costs are going up all the time.

OTOH - getting old means a lot of increased medical expenses - and - on a fixed income that can be tough.

Middle age of course brings on a whole different array of expenditures that leave no money for a "hobby", much less two or three or more.

Then there's the ever present - guns are bad attitude that getting more and more wide spread.

I'm beginning to think that guns - like a lot of things these days - are more or less, the things us old coots do and the youth - not so much.

So - let's see where everyone falls according to age.

 

[jmr40]

Guns are just as popular as ever among the younger folks. The TYPE of guns being sold is changing. In my youth virtually all gun owners were primarily hunters and the type of guns they owned reflected that.

Today there are just as many gun owners, probably more, but hunting is a dying activity. Only a handful still hunt, mostly older guys and they are not being replaced by younger hunters. To a lesser extent fishing is the same.
Younger shooters are buying AR's, precision rifles, and handguns designed around SD or shooting games.

I'm in my 60's, retired and even my gun buying habits are changing. I still hunt, but now that I have more time, and expendable income I can now spend more time shooting than I could when I was working 60 hours/week to support my family. Most of my recent purchases have been geared toward greater accuracy. While I still enjoy hunting, I can go to the range much more often, year round and enjoy trying to get better at shooting small groups on paper at longer ranges.

Cost is relative. Yes things cost more, but people are earning much more. We need to work fewer hours in order to afford most of the things we buy than we did when I was in college in the 1970's. Cost isn't really a factor if we consider inflation and modern wages. Even at $2.50/gallon gas is now cheaper than at any other time in my life relative to income.

The 1st new rifle was bought back in 1975. A fellow working at minimum wages would have to work over 90 hours to pay for that rifle. A fellow working at minimum wages today could work 90 hours and pay for a BETTER rifle AND put a decent scope on it.

The difference is in what we CHOOSE to spend our money on. As a youth TV was free with the antenna on the roof. Of course we only had 3 channels. My parents didn't own computers or pay for internet service. We didn't pay for cell phones and eating out was a rare treat.

 

[USNRet93]

Pretty decent re-cap here, including various ages.
https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2017/06/22/the-demographics-of-gun-ownership/

Gun sales in America have been strong for many years. Yet the confluence of two major factors—a string of tragic high-profile mass shootings like the one in San Bernardino, Calif., combined with fears that gun legislation could make it more difficult to purchase firearms—has pushed gun sales to record highs lately. The FBI processed an all-time high 185,345 background checks on Black Friday 2015, and total background checks for gun sales for the year topped 23 million, eclipsing the previous high of roughly 21 million in 2013. One of America’s largest firearm manufacturers, Smith & Wesson, recently announced that revenues were up 61.5% for the quarter ending January 31, year over year, and gross profit doubled during the same time period.

I think the gun industry is quite healthy and younger people are buying guns at a historic high rate.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) estimates gun sales were up 10 percent in September 2019 compared to the same period last year. The figure is based on the FBI’s raw National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) numbers for the month and estimated after discounting carry permit volume and other administrative use of the system. Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) put the figure slightly higher at 10.7 percent.

The news comes on the heels of August’s increase of roughly 16 percent. May, June and July 2019 enjoyed modest gains at 0.7, 3.8 and 1.6 percent, respectively, according to SAAF.

 

[Tony Z]

Depends upon how they were raised, up to a point. Both of my son-in-laws were raised in households without firearms. One is a liberal, anti-gun buttercup (I call him that to his face, and I'm OK with it). The other is a-political, and showed no inclinations towards firearms. However, at a management seminar, he was introduced to skeet shooting, had a great time and is showing interest in sporting guns.

Again, it depends upon the family life they grew up in.

 

[T. O'Heir]

"...Being young these days..." Isn't any easier being a geezer. Stuff costs a lot more now and non-union(especially for unelected civil servants. Up here anyway. A cop anywhere in Ontario is paid over 100 grand per annum.) wages have not risen with the cost of living.
However, all you need do it read all the posts by the younguns about ad prices in the gun rags from years ago. They still want to play, but may or may not be able to afford current prices. (Even when living in mom's basement.) And those are still about a week's or so pay. Just like they were in the "old days". In 1985, Ohio's minimum wage was $3.35. That's $134.00 per week. Stuff was priced accordingly.

 

[pwc]

Your poll does not show anything except what the age is for readers of this forun thread.

Under 25, boys and girls are too busy chasing each other. Believe the poll would be slightly skewed positively in rural and ag areas.

25- 35 they are looking to find themselves, work is a priority, oh, and chasing the other sex. If they've caught each other, both are probably working to make ends meet, and if they've already met and children enter the picture, money and time are even shorter.

35-45, they've figured it out, and IF they are still married, there is usually more time and money for "wants" as opposed to "needs". Social demands, soccor mom/dad, clubs, associations, and golf to stay on the good side of the boss. Firearms interest grows, maybe for security

45-50 kids don't require as much atten (better watch out here). The 25-35 passing interest in firearms negins to nag. What the heck, think I'll try a pistol/rifle/shotgun. Wife and kids might like it too....

50-65 gotta get that group size down. Check my reload process, what can I do different/better. If I get a model Z, Lazer Super Blammer, I've heard it shoots flat to 2600 yds. If I get a Gosh All .75 semi auto I can get a deer and cook it at the same time.

65-75 Think I'll try bench or even prone, if I can get down. Wonder if the kids will get a deer/turkey/goose-duck this year? The Itis boys, Arthur and Burs, have moved in for the duration. Maybe I'll just sit here by the fire, drink my coffee, and read The Firing Line with my slippers on.

 

[DaleA]

In Minnesota High School Trap shooting has taken off and is doing pretty good, so the fun/fascination factor is still there it just has to be given the opportunity to "blossom" as it were.

They still want to play, but may or may not be able to afford current prices.

Yep. Going into 'old fogey' mode in my youth we did a lot of shooting in the country side. I lived in "the city" but a 20 minute bike ride would get you to where you could shoot gophers or tin cans (well, aluminum...I'm not THAT old). I don't know if you can do that any more. Somebody might call the authorities.

Going to a commercial range is pricey, there's lots of rules you may or may not be familiar with and a distinct lack of "fun". Also there may be helpful old fogeys trying to give you advice you don't need or high-speed-low-drag that disparage your shooting and your equipment.

I have fun at the range because I'm in my own "old fogey" world enjoying my "old fogey" shooting.

When I was a young guy I shot at a range as part of a club and we socialized a lot. The young people I see at commercial ranges, come in and shoot paper targets and get out.

If you go back far enough there used to be shooting galleries where you could go shoot for fun. Except for our state fair I haven't seen any of them.

Lastly, if you want to shoot competitively, even in .22LR (smallbore) competitions you need high price equipment.

I see the Project Appleseed program as a hopeful thing and wish them the best. (Disclaimer: I have not gone to an Appleseed program).

 

[1MoreFord]

While we don't know the popularity of guns or forums with the younger crowd it appears gun forums are really popular with the older crowd.

 

[American Man]

At the rate guns and rifles flew off the shelves during the Obama years, I have faith that gun ownership is not lacking in any category. I know Obama Zombies of the highest order, 20s, 60s and 70s, in my extended family right now, that own many guns. These same people now love Bloomberg... there is no making sense of it.

With the information flow these days with cable news and social media, when a mass shooting occurs, terrorist related or not, people of all ideologies and ages wipe out gun shop inventories. Where I live I see a lot of young people involved in shooting sports. In a neighboring county, I'll pull into the wildlife club and there is always and RO and some young kid getting evaluated... it's always good to see that.

Also, as far as hunting areas, they seem to be getting more crowded. I went through the drive thru at chickfila at lunch time and these teenagers came out wearing full camo with their face paint. I was like, "Hell Yeah", I love where I live... except for the occasional unbelievably loud car stereo.

 

[pwc]

Hmmmm..."fixed income"....exactly what is it? My whole life, I've lived on a fixed income. Unless I got a raise or bonus, every paycheck was the same. Now, unless you are in sales, or work piece work, you live pretty much on a fixed paycheck.

After retirement, it's still pay check to pay check, albeit, less but at prescribed times. Maybe suplemented by part time or hobby income, but still pay check to pay check.

Fixed income is usually invoked when meant someone is lesser advantaged.

So, in my opinion, living from pay check to pay check is more accurate than "fixed income".

 

[shurshot]

"Fixed income"? I was under the impression that was a pension without any cost of living increase.

 

[Cowboyfromhell]

I bet 30 years from now you won't even be able to look at a gun...youth of today is anti gun imo....sad

 

[Don P]

Just my opinion. With the indoctrination by the liberals that has been occurring in our schools for the last 40 years or so eventually the conservatives will be far out numbered and over run. Just from the news the past couple of years the youth of today would like to do away with the constitution. When that time comes guns will be far gone and a thing of the past. Very sad indeed and I personally see it coming in my opinion.

 

[buck460XVR]

I bet 30 years from now you won't even be able to look at a gun...youth of today is anti gun imo....sad

I completely disagree. Around here you see a lot of young guys in the gun shop buying, and while the old guys are there too, most are just looking or shooting the bull, many times dissing the choices of those young folks. The Hunter Safety classes I help with are just as full of youth as they ever were, except nowadays there are a lot more girls enrolled(both young and old). Just seems youth of today take a more realistic approach to guns and their ownership. Seems younger shooters look at their guns more as tools, while older guys have an emotional attachment to them. IMHO, Why you see so many more old guys on these types of forums. Our local School District has Sporting Clays teams at both the High School and Middle School level. Has more participants than the football teams. Maybe in 30 years we won't be able to watch Football on Sunday afternoons.......

 

[DaleA]

youth of today is anti gun imo....sad

With the indoctrination by the liberals that has been occurring in our schools for the last 40 years or so eventually the conservatives will be far out numbered and over run.

How much of today's youth is "anti-gun" and how much is just (a term from my past) "anti-establishment" as in they just want to get into a fight and WIN that fight and guns is topic du jure?

Take almost anyone shooting and they have a good time. And I mean that, almost anyone.

Still it's really disheartening to see young protesters in Hong Kong playing the US National Anthem protesting for more rights and seeing OUR youth at rallies protesting for LESS rights.

I swear I think Emma Gonzalez could whip a crowd of youths into a frenzy and get them to march on Congress chanting:
"TAKE, OUR, RIGHTS AWAY!"
"TAKE, OUR, RIGHTS AWAY!"
And the irony would be totally lost on the main stream media.

Buck450xvr-your post cheered me up.

 

[SIGSHR]

Remember so many of the young are growing up fatherless, often the only adult males they have any regular contact with are teachers. Who will take them to the range, teach them safety and proper gun handling and etiquette, etc.? Yours truly went down that road in the 1950s, in the 1960s I learned firearms handling in the Boy Scouts, that is a lot rarer today.

 

[reynolds357]

Remember so many of the young are growing up fatherless, often the only adult males they have any regular contact with are teachers. Who will take them to the range, teach them safety and proper gun handling and etiquette, etc.? Yours truly went down that road in the 1950s, in the 1960s I learned firearms handling in the Boy Scouts, that is a lot rarer today.

Yep, the "Boy Scouts" no longer exist. They are now co-ed and called Scouting USA.

 

[labnoti]

The Pewsocialtrends data posted early in the thread is probably less biased than this forum. I don't think forums in general are as popular with younger generations as are other types of media. Forums require reading and writing, and a younger generation might prefer pictures, like Snapchat and Instagram. Even if you looked at the demographics of gun-related Youtube channels, particularly those that aren't hosted by old men, you would probably see a more even age distribution.

 

[ZEBRARANGER]

The Pewsocialtrends data posted early in the thread is probably less biased than this forum. I don't think forums in general are as popular with younger generations as are other types of media. Forums require reading and writing, and a younger generation might prefer pictures, like Snapchat and Instagram. Even if you looked at the demographics of gun-related Youtube channels, particularly those that aren't hosted by old men, you would probably see a more even age distribution.

I have to agree, in general younger people do not use forums, they tend to use other forms of social media. Facebook alone has tons of these firearm groups that they participate in.

 

[rickyrick]

When I was young, an AR wasn’t really a young man’s gun, nor in a young man’s budget.

Now they are both.