I believe there are more gun owners reluctant to answer yes when asked.

Measurable numbers, such as gun carry permits issued and gun sales, have been growing.

In 2008 (as far back as numbers are available) Tennessee issued 35K original handgun carry permits and 22k renewals. in 2016, 72k original and 89k renewals. That's quite an increase and follows a pattern. Permits renewals are 8 years. Lifetime permits have been reduced to $200 so I reckon that's going to be popular among younger folks. Last year it became lawful to have a loaded handgun in the vehicle without a carry permit. It will be interesting to see if that has any affect on permit issuance.

During the past 30 years most of this country has been on a pro-gun trajectory, particularly with gun carry laws. Yet, polls as cited earlier suggest that households with guns have significant shrunk. State lawmakers chasing a shrinking number? At the federal level in the wake of Sandy Hook, the Feds could pass no gun control.