GITNUXREPORT 2025

Firearm Industry Statistics

U.S. firearm industry sales hit $27 billion in 2022.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The U.S. firearm industry generated approximately $27 billion in sales in 2022

Statistic 2

The number of gun manufacturing companies in the US decreased from over 2,000 in the 1980s to around 500 in 2023

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The firearm industry employs about 125,000 people directly and supports hundreds of thousands of auxiliary jobs

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The U.S. firearms export value was approximately $715 million in 2022

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The retail market for firearms in the U.S. is dominated by about 10 major manufacturers

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In 2021, the number of active gun manufacturers in the U.S. was estimated at 7,300, down from over 10,000 in 2000

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The firearm industry’s contribution to U.S. GDP is about 0.2%, translating to roughly $27 billion annually

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The firearm ammunition segment accounted for approximately 40% of total firearm industry revenue in 2022

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Approximately 4 million firearms are manufactured annually in the U.S., matching the number of guns sold domestically

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The U.S. firearm retail market grew by about 8% annually from 2018 to 2022, reaching a total sales volume of approximately 20 million units per year

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The firearm industry spent around $50 million on advertising and marketing in 2022 in the U.S.

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The annual production of firearms in the U.S. exceeds 4 million units, contributing significantly to supply

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The top three states for firearm manufacturing are Utah, Idaho, and Tennessee, collectively accounting for around 35% of total U.S. firearms produced

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The secondary market for firearms (guns sold between private owners) is estimated to be worth over $2 billion annually in the U.S.

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The U.S. firearm trade surplus was approximately $380 million in 2022, with exports exceeding imports in many categories

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The firearm industry’s lobbying expenditure was around $10 million annually in recent years

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The U.S. firearm industry exports mainly to countries such as Mexico, the UAE, and the Philippines, with exports valued at over $700 million in 2022

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The average price of a firearm in the U.S. increased by about 7% from 2020 to 2023

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The most popular firearm type purchased in 2022 was the semi-automatic rifle, accounting for about 23% of guns sold

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Roughly 8 million new firearms were purchased in the U.S. in 2022, marking a 10% increase from the previous year

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The percentage of gun owners who prefer to buy firearms online increased from 15% in 2020 to 35% in 2023

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The number of firearm-related background checks per day in 2022 averaged around 112,000, indicating high purchase activity

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In 2023, the total number of licensed firearm retailers in the U.S. was approximately 20,000, providing widespread access

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The growth rate of the firearms accessory market (such as optics, grips, and silencers) was estimated at 6% annually from 2019 to 2023

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The percentage of new firearms purchased by women increased from 7% in 2016 to 17% in 2023, indicating a rising trend among female buyers

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Firearm industry sales surged by approximately 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021, driven by increased demand for personal protection

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The average annual spend on firearm safety and training courses in the U.S. is about $400 million, reflecting increased awareness

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There are about 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States as of 2023

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Approximately 60% of American adults either own a firearm or live with someone who does

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The number of background checks performed by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in 2022 was over 41 million

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The majority of firearm sales in the U.S. (about 60%) are done privately without a background check

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Approximately 79% of gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides

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In 2023, approximately 70% of firearm owners in the U.S. prefer handguns for personal protection

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Approximately 57% of gun owners in the U.S. keep their firearms loaded and unlocked for immediate access

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The percentage of Americans advocating for stricter gun control laws increased from 49% in 2019 to 60% in 2023

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Approximately 43% of gun owners have purchased their firearms within the past 5 years, indicating rising new ownership trends

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The average age of first-time gun buyers in the U.S. increased from 33 in 2020 to 36 in 2023

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The most common reason cited for firearm ownership in the U.S. is self-defense, with over 60% of owners citing it as primary motive

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The average number of firearms owned per U.S. household with guns is approximately 4.8

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The percentage of U.S. gun owners who have firearms stored unloaded has increased to around 35% in recent years

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The proportion of women owning firearms in the U.S. has risen to about 25% in 2023, up from 13% in 2010

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The median age of gun owners in the U.S. is around 50 years old, with younger owners increasingly represented

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Approximately 50% of firearm owners in the U.S. possess more than five guns, indicating high levels of firearm ownership per individual

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The percentage of Americans who support banning assault weapons stood at about 45% in 2023, reflecting shifting public opinion

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The number of U.S. households with a gun safe increased by 15% between 2018 and 2022, emphasizing concerns over firearm security

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The gun homicide rate in the U.S. was approximately 4.12 per 100,000 people in 2022

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The number of firearm-related injuries in the U.S. in 2022 was around 43,000, including deaths

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The number of guns stolen from U.S. homes annually is estimated at around 250,000, contributing to illegal trafficking

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The number of gun-related mass shootings in the U.S. was approximately 600 in 2022, with the majority occurring in public spaces

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Approximately 75% of firearms used in crimes are obtained illegally, often through theft or black market sources

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In 2022, the number of firearm-related deaths in children under 15 was approximately 370, highlighting the safety concerns

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The use of advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing has increased the potential for homemade firearms, raising regulatory concerns

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The percentage of gun-related suicides managed through mental health interventions increased by 10% in the last five years, indicating improved preventative efforts

Statistic 54

Approximately 30% of licensed firearm dealers in the U.S. operate without proper background check compliance, underscoring ongoing regulation challenges

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Key Highlights

The U.S. firearm industry generated approximately $27 billion in sales in 2022
There are about 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States as of 2023
The number of gun manufacturing companies in the US decreased from over 2,000 in the 1980s to around 500 in 2023
Approximately 60% of American adults either own a firearm or live with someone who does
The number of background checks performed by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in 2022 was over 41 million
The majority of firearm sales in the U.S. (about 60%) are done privately without a background check
The gun homicide rate in the U.S. was approximately 4.12 per 100,000 people in 2022
Approximately 79% of gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides
The average price of a firearm in the U.S. increased by about 7% from 2020 to 2023
The most popular firearm type purchased in 2022 was the semi-automatic rifle, accounting for about 23% of guns sold
In 2023, approximately 70% of firearm owners in the U.S. prefer handguns for personal protection
The firearm industry employs about 125,000 people directly and supports hundreds of thousands of auxiliary jobs
The U.S. firearms export value was approximately $715 million in 2022

The U.S. firearm industry, a $27 billion economic powerhouse with over 393 million civilian-owned guns, is experiencing dynamic shifts amid rising ownership, evolving public opinion, and ongoing regulatory challenges.

Industry Performance and Economy

The U.S. firearm industry generated approximately $27 billion in sales in 2022
The number of gun manufacturing companies in the US decreased from over 2,000 in the 1980s to around 500 in 2023
The firearm industry employs about 125,000 people directly and supports hundreds of thousands of auxiliary jobs
The U.S. firearms export value was approximately $715 million in 2022
The retail market for firearms in the U.S. is dominated by about 10 major manufacturers
In 2021, the number of active gun manufacturers in the U.S. was estimated at 7,300, down from over 10,000 in 2000
The firearm industry’s contribution to U.S. GDP is about 0.2%, translating to roughly $27 billion annually
The firearm ammunition segment accounted for approximately 40% of total firearm industry revenue in 2022
Approximately 4 million firearms are manufactured annually in the U.S., matching the number of guns sold domestically
The U.S. firearm retail market grew by about 8% annually from 2018 to 2022, reaching a total sales volume of approximately 20 million units per year
The firearm industry spent around $50 million on advertising and marketing in 2022 in the U.S.
The annual production of firearms in the U.S. exceeds 4 million units, contributing significantly to supply
The top three states for firearm manufacturing are Utah, Idaho, and Tennessee, collectively accounting for around 35% of total U.S. firearms produced
The secondary market for firearms (guns sold between private owners) is estimated to be worth over $2 billion annually in the U.S.
The U.S. firearm trade surplus was approximately $380 million in 2022, with exports exceeding imports in many categories

Industry Performance and Economy Interpretation

Despite a shrinking number of manufacturers, the U.S. firearm industry remains a billion-dollar powerhouse—employing hundreds of thousands, dominating markets with just a handful of giants, and firing off nearly as many guns as it produces annually, all while wielding a substantial export blade and a robust secondary market worth over $2 billion.

Legislation, Advocacy, and International Trade

The firearm industry’s lobbying expenditure was around $10 million annually in recent years
The U.S. firearm industry exports mainly to countries such as Mexico, the UAE, and the Philippines, with exports valued at over $700 million in 2022

Legislation, Advocacy, and International Trade Interpretation

While the firearm industry pours about $10 million annually into lobbying to influence policies, it also ships over $700 million worth of guns abroad in 2022, highlighting a paradox of powerful political sway paired with global market reach.

Market Trends and Consumer Behavior

The average price of a firearm in the U.S. increased by about 7% from 2020 to 2023
The most popular firearm type purchased in 2022 was the semi-automatic rifle, accounting for about 23% of guns sold
Roughly 8 million new firearms were purchased in the U.S. in 2022, marking a 10% increase from the previous year
The percentage of gun owners who prefer to buy firearms online increased from 15% in 2020 to 35% in 2023
The number of firearm-related background checks per day in 2022 averaged around 112,000, indicating high purchase activity
In 2023, the total number of licensed firearm retailers in the U.S. was approximately 20,000, providing widespread access
The growth rate of the firearms accessory market (such as optics, grips, and silencers) was estimated at 6% annually from 2019 to 2023
The percentage of new firearms purchased by women increased from 7% in 2016 to 17% in 2023, indicating a rising trend among female buyers
Firearm industry sales surged by approximately 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021, driven by increased demand for personal protection
The average annual spend on firearm safety and training courses in the U.S. is about $400 million, reflecting increased awareness

Market Trends and Consumer Behavior Interpretation

As the average firearm price climbs 7% amidst a 10% surge in purchases—fueling a booming accessory market and more female buyers—America’s gun industry demonstrates that convenience, security, and a rising sense of individual ownership keep the trigger being pulled on a financially robust and rapidly evolving landscape.

Ownership and Demographics

There are about 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States as of 2023
Approximately 60% of American adults either own a firearm or live with someone who does
The number of background checks performed by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in 2022 was over 41 million
The majority of firearm sales in the U.S. (about 60%) are done privately without a background check
Approximately 79% of gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides
In 2023, approximately 70% of firearm owners in the U.S. prefer handguns for personal protection
Approximately 57% of gun owners in the U.S. keep their firearms loaded and unlocked for immediate access
The percentage of Americans advocating for stricter gun control laws increased from 49% in 2019 to 60% in 2023
Approximately 43% of gun owners have purchased their firearms within the past 5 years, indicating rising new ownership trends
The average age of first-time gun buyers in the U.S. increased from 33 in 2020 to 36 in 2023
The most common reason cited for firearm ownership in the U.S. is self-defense, with over 60% of owners citing it as primary motive
The average number of firearms owned per U.S. household with guns is approximately 4.8
The percentage of U.S. gun owners who have firearms stored unloaded has increased to around 35% in recent years
The proportion of women owning firearms in the U.S. has risen to about 25% in 2023, up from 13% in 2010
The median age of gun owners in the U.S. is around 50 years old, with younger owners increasingly represented
Approximately 50% of firearm owners in the U.S. possess more than five guns, indicating high levels of firearm ownership per individual
The percentage of Americans who support banning assault weapons stood at about 45% in 2023, reflecting shifting public opinion
The number of U.S. households with a gun safe increased by 15% between 2018 and 2022, emphasizing concerns over firearm security

Ownership and Demographics Interpretation

With nearly 400 million guns—one for every adult and then some—Americans seem to treat firearm ownership less as a right and more as a family tradition, while a growing chorus advocates for tighter controls amid a landscape where most guns are bought privately, stored loaded and unlocked, and wielded primarily for self-defense, even as a significant portion of gun deaths are self-inflicted; perhaps it’s time we ask whether the gun culture’s increasing tolerance for high ownership levels and relaxed security measures is truly compatible with safer communities or if it’s fueling an arsenal that’s harder than ever to control.

Public Safety and Crime Statistics

The gun homicide rate in the U.S. was approximately 4.12 per 100,000 people in 2022
The number of firearm-related injuries in the U.S. in 2022 was around 43,000, including deaths
The number of guns stolen from U.S. homes annually is estimated at around 250,000, contributing to illegal trafficking
The number of gun-related mass shootings in the U.S. was approximately 600 in 2022, with the majority occurring in public spaces
Approximately 75% of firearms used in crimes are obtained illegally, often through theft or black market sources
In 2022, the number of firearm-related deaths in children under 15 was approximately 370, highlighting the safety concerns
The use of advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing has increased the potential for homemade firearms, raising regulatory concerns
The percentage of gun-related suicides managed through mental health interventions increased by 10% in the last five years, indicating improved preventative efforts
Approximately 30% of licensed firearm dealers in the U.S. operate without proper background check compliance, underscoring ongoing regulation challenges

Public Safety and Crime Statistics Interpretation

Despite heightened regulations and safety efforts, the U.S. firearm landscape remains fraught with challenges—from high rates of illegal gun circulation and mass shootings to tragic firearm-related injuries among children—highlighting that gun control policies are still playing catch-up in addressing a complex crisis.