Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Gun owners spend plenty of time being studied, analyzed and talked about. Here is a chance to speak for ourselves.
Walk the Talk America has launched a new Guns and Mental Health Survey designed specifically to hear from firearm owners. It covers mental health, seeking support and firearm storage during periods of increased stress.
The survey is anonymous, voluntary and open through Sept. 30. WTTA says it should take about eight to 10 minutes to complete.
There are no right answers. There is no test to pass. WTTA is not trying to judge gun owners or steer everyone toward one approved opinion.
The organization wants the truth.
Table of contents
Why We Should Participate
Discussions about firearms and mental health are often driven by academics, politicians, advocacy organizations and media outlets. Some claim to understand gun culture. But most know nothing.
That matters because bad assumptions can eventually become bad policies.
If we are not part of the research, other people will fill in the blanks for us. They may assume gun owners refuse to discuss mental health, oppose all forms of storage, or will never consider voluntary prevention measures.
Reality is much more complicated.
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Some of us keep every firearm locked in a large safe. Others prioritize immediate access for home defense. Some of us trust mental health professionals. Others worry that asking for help could cost them their rights.
WTTA wants those answers in our own words.
According to the organization, no identifying information will be collected. The results will only be reported as combined data, and participants can stop at any time.
What the Previous Survey Found
WTTA’s January 2025 survey collected 2,483 responses. Of those respondents, 2,423 identified as gun owners and continued through the questionnaire.
The results showed why these conversations cannot be reduced to an easy political slogan.
Exactly half of the gun owners surveyed said Extreme Risk Protection Orders, commonly called red flag laws, would make them hesitant to seek professional mental health services. The other half said they would not.
When asked about red flag laws themselves, 60% opposed them and 40% supported them. The leading concerns involved due process, restoring rights and giving other people the power to restrict someone’s rights.
The answers on background checks were also more mixed than the usual political debate suggests. Forty-eight percent supported checks for all purchases and transfers. Another 41% supported them for new purchases only. Eleven percent opposed background checks.
Storage produced another complicated picture. Many respondents supported locked storage but also emphasized the need for quick access during an emergency. Others said the right setup depends on children, household members, finances and the firearm’s intended purpose.
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Nearly nine out of 10 respondents supported some form of funding for firearm education and training. A similar share supported firearm education in K-12 schools.
Those results came from a voluntary online survey, not a random national sample. The respondent pool also leaned heavily toward older, longtime male gun owners. That is another reason broader participation matters this time around.
The more gun owners who take part, the clearer the picture becomes.
Take Ten Minutes and Tell It Like It Is
WTTA says the current survey is not about lobbying or pushing a predetermined policy. Its goal is to build practical prevention resources with the firearm community instead of handing gun owners solutions created without them.
That distinction is important.
Protecting 2A rights and encouraging people to seek help should not be competing goals. Honest information can help identify voluntary approaches that respect personal choice, understand firearm ownership and actually work in real life.
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A survey will not settle every argument surrounding guns and mental health. It can, however, make it harder for anyone to claim they understand us without asking us.
The survey is open through Sept. 30 and takes approximately eight to 10 minutes.
Take the anonymous WTTA survey here, answer honestly, and share it with a buddy.
This is a chance to put an unfiltered 2A perspective into the public conversation. Don’t let someone else answer for you.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.