Shelby Basham, an expectant mother from Greenville, Kentucky, packs her essentials for a road trip: her prenatal vitamins, toothbrush, hairbrush, and M&P Shield pistol.

“It’s a must-have for me,” said Basham, 29, who is eight months pregnant and holds a conceal-and-carry permit. “It’s very important to me.”

Basham finds it unsurprising that more Republican women, including herself, are becoming gun owners.

Recent polling by Gallup shows that one in three Republican women own guns now, a significant increase from one in five a decade ago, while ownership among Democratic women remains quite low.

Jeff Jones, a senior editor at Gallup, stated that this rise in gun ownership coincides with ongoing partisan cultural disputes.

“Republicans have been receiving strong messages about protecting gun rights,” Jones explained. “Previously, only Republican men commonly owned guns, but now we’re seeing a trend of more Republican women wanting to own firearms, which could continue in the future.”

More women choosing self-defense

Approximately 31% of U.S. adults report owning a firearm, and an additional 13% say there is a gun in their home that belongs to someone else, according to Gallup. This aligns with findings from Pew Research, indicating that about a third of Americans possess a gun, reflecting the country’s strong gun ownership culture.

Gun ownership surged overall during the pandemic, fueled by a temporary spike in crime. A survey by NORC revealed that one in 20 American adults acquired their first firearm between March 2020 and March 2022.

However, gun sales experienced a decline nationwide in 2023, as reported by SafeHome, a security firm based in Connecticut. The report indicated that approximately 16.7 million firearms were sold in the U.S. last year, a decrease of 4% compared to 2022.

Jones noted that while overall gun sales have fallen, the increase in GOP women owning firearms is striking. Although men are still more likely than women to own guns (43% vs. 23%), the gender gap has narrowed from a difference of 30 points to 23 points over the past five years.

Preparation for safety

Shelby Basham’s neighbor, Cindy Hendricks, 69, a lifelong Republican and gun owner for the past five years, is also noticing the rise in gun ownership among Republican women. In earlier generations, many women relied on men to provide protection, but Hendricks observes that her peers are now choosing to arm themselves.

“I’m still getting used to them, but I know they can be invaluable in an emergency,” Hendricks expressed, citing her home in rural Muhlenberg County, where police response times could be lengthy. “I can’t imagine living where we do without a firearm.”

Beyond self-defense, Hendricks mentioned that many women are also interested in firearms for recreational purposes, such as hunting and target shooting. She knows women in her community who belong to local gun clubs.

Even though she is a registered gun owner, Hendricks does not carry a firearm and plans to take a concealed carry class early next year.

“I firmly believe that owning a gun carries a responsibility,” Hendricks remarked. “Taking that course will help me be a more accountable gun owner.”

Basham, who grew up around guns due to family hunting traditions, credits her husband, Turner, a hunting enthusiast, with boosting her confidence in using firearms for self-defense. They frequently enjoy target shooting together.

“He has been a significant influence in my development as a gun owner,” she reflected. “I feel safe, and I also believe I can help protect others.”

Impact of Political Party on Gun Ownership

Research indicates that political affiliation significantly influences gun ownership, a trend that seems to be increasing, according to Gallup data.

In 2012, 38% of Republicans and 22% of Democrats reported owning guns, marking a 16% difference. Today, 47% of Republicans own firearms compared to just 19% of Democrats, resulting in a 28% gap.

“Political affiliation has become a more significant indicator of gun ownership than it used to be,” noted Jones.

Many Republicans cite protecting the Second Amendment as a primary reason for their gun ownership. “It’s an important topic for them,” Jones explained. “While there are other reasons, this is a standout issue that they care about deeply.”

Reasons for Gun Ownership in Rural Areas

Among rural residents, about 51% own guns, compared to just 20% in urban areas, as seen in the responses from poll participants.

“When we surveyed participants on their reasons for owning guns, the overwhelming response was for protection,” explained Jones. “A significant number also mentioned using guns for sports such as hunting and target shooting.”

Basham, who works as an occupational therapist, believes, “No amount of regulation will stop those with malicious intent from obtaining firearms. The best solution is to ensure that law-abiding citizens have the means to protect themselves.”

Hendricks explained that many families in rural areas staunchly support the Second Amendment and own guns for safety, especially given the lengthy response time from law enforcement. It could take nearly thirty minutes for police to arrive at her property.

“We have great law enforcement and first responders, who take tremendous pride in their work, but their distance from us is a concern,” Hendricks stated. “With incidents like nearby prison escapes, if trouble comes our way, the closest help is my neighbors. Quick police assistance isn’t an option due to our spread-out locations.”

Hendricks and her spouse possess over a dozen firearms, including pistols, hunting rifles, and family heirlooms passed down through generations. They ensure there’s readily available access to firearms throughout their home.

“In an emergency, I can reach a firearm in seconds, should the need arise,” Hendricks remarked, making sure that when her grandchildren visit, these weapons are safely secured away.

Basham, who owns two firearms, including a revolver kept at her bedside, shares a similar sentiment. She felt reassured having her pistol while driving from Kentucky to New Mexico this fall to deliver her horses to a friend for the winter.

“I pray I never face a situation requiring me to use the skills I’ve worked hard to learn,” Basham said, reflecting on her eight years of conceal-and-carry training. “I hope to never encounter such a scenario in my life.”