AARP does not take an organizational stance on gun control

AARP as an organization does not support or oppose gun control measures. The group has deliberately stayed neutral on Second Amendment policy for decades, even as gun control has become a sharply divided political issue. AARP's leadership has said the organization focuses on issues that affect older adults' economic security, health care, and independence — not on gun policy itself.

This neutrality exists because AARP's membership is politically diverse. The organization has millions of members across the political spectrum, and taking a stance on gun control would alienate a significant portion of its base. AARP's official position is that gun policy is a matter for individual members to decide based on their own values.

What AARP does address is gun safety in specific contexts that touch older adults directly — particularly firearm storage in homes where grandchildren visit, and suicide prevention among older men, who account for a large share of gun suicides in the United States. These are framed as health and safety issues rather than gun control positions.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP takes no official position for or against gun control as a policy matter.
  • The organization addresses gun safety in homes with grandchildren and suicide prevention among older adults, which are distinct from gun control advocacy.
  • AARP's membership includes people across the political spectrum, and the organization has chosen neutrality to represent all members.
  • Individual AARP members and state chapters may hold their own views on gun policy without representing the national organization.

Why AARP remains neutral on gun control

AARP's stated reason for neutrality is straightforward: the organization represents older adults with widely different political beliefs. Taking a position on gun control would mean some members feel the organization does not represent their interests. Since AARP's power comes from its size and the breadth of its membership, losing members over a divisive political issue would weaken its ability to advocate on issues where there is broader consensus — like Medicare policy or prescription drug pricing.

This approach is not unique to AARP. Many large membership organizations that span the political spectrum — including some veterans groups and hunting organizations — also avoid taking sides on gun control specifically, even when they address gun safety in narrower contexts.

What AARP does address: gun safety and suicide prevention

AARP publishes information about storing firearms safely in homes where grandchildren visit, framed as a grandparent safety issue. The organization also funds and promotes research on suicide prevention among older adults, including the role of firearm access in suicide risk. These initiatives are presented as health and safety matters, not as arguments for or against gun control laws.

AARP has also supported some specific measures that touch gun policy indirectly — for example, background check systems that prevent people with certain criminal histories from purchasing firearms. However, the organization frames these positions narrowly, around specific public safety outcomes, rather than as a general stance on gun control.

State chapters and individual members may differ

While the national AARP organization remains neutral, some state chapters and individual members have taken positions on gun policy. For example, AARP chapters in some states have supported or opposed specific gun legislation. Individual members are free to hold their own views and to advocate for gun policy positions independently of AARP.

If you want to know whether your state's AARP chapter has taken a position on a specific gun bill or policy, contact your state chapter directly. Their stance may differ from the national organization's neutrality.

How to find AARP's actual positions on issues that matter to you

AARP publishes its official positions on its website under "AARP's Positions and Advocacy." You can search by topic — Medicare, Social Security, prescription drug costs, long-term care, and others — to see where the organization stands. This resource shows which bills AARP supports or opposes and why.

You can also contact AARP directly at 1-888-687-2277 or visit aarp.org to ask about the organization's stance on a specific issue. If you are trying to understand AARP's position on gun policy specifically, the answer will be that the organization does not take one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has AARP ever supported gun control in the past?

AARP has not taken an organizational position supporting gun control as a general policy matter. The organization has supported some specific measures — like background checks — when framed around public safety outcomes, but these are narrow positions, not a broader stance on gun control.

Does AARP oppose gun rights?

No. AARP does not oppose gun rights or Second Amendment protections. The organization's neutrality means it does not take sides on gun policy at all, whether that means supporting gun rights or supporting gun control.

Why doesn't AARP take a position on gun control?

AARP's membership is politically diverse, and taking a stance on gun control would alienate members on one side or the other. The organization has chosen to focus on issues where there is broader consensus among its members, like health care and retirement security.

Can I find out what my state's AARP chapter thinks about gun policy?

Yes. Contact your state AARP chapter directly — they may have taken positions that differ from the national organization. You can find your state chapter's contact information on aarp.org or by calling 1-888-687-2277.

Does AARP support any gun-related policies at all?

AARP addresses gun safety in homes with grandchildren and supports research on suicide prevention among older adults. The organization also supports background check systems in some contexts. These are specific safety measures, not a general position on gun control.