GITNUXREPORT 2026

Firearms Industry Statistics

The United States firearms industry continues to produce and sell millions of weapons annually.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Firearms industry direct employment: 390,000 jobs.

Statistic 2

Manufacturing jobs in firearms: 72,000 in 2023.

Statistic 3

Retail gun dealer employment: 240,000.

Statistic 4

Shooting range jobs: 45,000 nationwide.

Statistic 5

Supplier and distributor jobs: 33,000.

Statistic 6

Total induced jobs from industry: 1.1 million.

Statistic 7

Firearms manufacturing employment grew 10% 2017-2022.

Statistic 8

FFL dealers total: 80,000+ active.

Statistic 9

Gun store employees average wage: $45,000.

Statistic 10

NSSF member companies employ 300,000+.

Statistic 11

Remington bankruptcy impacted 2,000 jobs.

Statistic 12

Vista Outdoor workforce: 8,000 employees.

Statistic 13

Smith & Wesson employees: 2,200.

Statistic 14

Sturm Ruger staff: 2,000.

Statistic 15

Sig Sauer U.S. employees: 2,000+.

Statistic 16

Average manufacturing wage in sector: $60,000.

Statistic 17

Women in firearms industry: 15% of workforce.

Statistic 18

Veteran employment rate high: 20%.

Statistic 19

Apprenticeships in machining for guns: 5,000 slots.

Statistic 20

Labor turnover low at 8% annually.

Statistic 21

Unionization rate: under 5% in industry.

Statistic 22

COVID job losses minimal: 2% dip.

Statistic 23

Export-related jobs: 50,000 direct.

Statistic 24

R&D staff in firearms: 10,000 engineers.

Statistic 25

Sales staff at ranges: 30,000 FTE.

Statistic 26

Administrative roles: 15% of total employment.

Statistic 27

Firearms exports totaled $1.7 billion in 2022.

Statistic 28

Top export destination: Canada with $500 million.

Statistic 29

Pistol exports: 1.2 million units in 2021.

Statistic 30

Imports of firearms: 4.5 million in 2022.

Statistic 31

Top import source: Austria (Glock).

Statistic 32

U.S. rifle exports: $700 million value.

Statistic 33

Export licenses issued: 12,000 annually.

Statistic 34

Firearms trade surplus: $1 billion in 2021.

Statistic 35

Brazil imports from U.S.: $100 million guns.

Statistic 36

EU imports U.S. firearms: $300 million.

Statistic 37

2020 exports dropped 20% due to COVID.

Statistic 38

Shotgun exports: 200,000 units yearly.

Statistic 39

Import value: $600 million in 2023.

Statistic 40

Turkey major exporter to U.S.

Statistic 41

U.S. dominates global small arms exports 40% share.

Statistic 42

Mexico imports 500,000 U.S. guns yearly.

Statistic 43

Australia banned imports post-1996.

Statistic 44

Philippines U.S. arms deal: $50 million.

Statistic 45

Export growth 15% YoY 2015-2019.

Statistic 46

Brazil export ban impacts U.S. trade.

Statistic 47

Canada-U.S. trade: 70% of exports.

Statistic 48

ITAR regulations oversee 95% exports.

Statistic 49

Civilian market imports rising 10%.

Statistic 50

Czech Republic pistols imported 300,000.

Statistic 51

U.S. shotgun exports to Europe: $150M.

Statistic 52

Global arms trade U.S. share 39%.

Statistic 53

28% of civilian-owned guns imported.

Statistic 54

Firearm ownership rate: 32% U.S. adults.

Statistic 55

120 guns per 100 residents in U.S.

Statistic 56

First-time buyers 40% of 2021 sales.

Statistic 57

Women buyers increased to 32% in 2023.

Statistic 58

Youth shooting participation: 10 million.

Statistic 59

Concealed carry permits: 22 million in 2023.

Statistic 60

Home defense top reason for ownership 72%.

Statistic 61

AR-15 ownership: 20 million rifles.

Statistic 62

Suppressors registered: 3.5 million.

Statistic 63

Hunting license holders: 15 million.

Statistic 64

Target shooting most popular activity.

Statistic 65

Urban ownership rising 15% post-2020.

Statistic 66

Black ownership doubled to 24% since 2017.

Statistic 67

Hispanic ownership: 20% of adults.

Statistic 68

Gen Z buyers: 21% of new owners.

Statistic 69

Smart gun interest low: 10%.

Statistic 70

Ammo shortage impacted 70% buyers.

Statistic 71

Range visits: 200 million annually.

Statistic 72

Multi-gun owners: 40% of households.

Statistic 73

Self-defense training demand up 25%.

Statistic 74

Custom gun market: $2 billion.

Statistic 75

Vintage firearms collectibles value up 12%.

Statistic 76

Electric bike gun racks sales surge.

Statistic 77

Red dot sights adoption: 50% handguns.

Statistic 78

3D printed gun kits: 10,000 sold online.

Statistic 79

Ghost gun prevalence: 5% of traced firearms.

Statistic 80

Modular firearms popularity: 30% sales.

Statistic 81

U.S. firearms production reached 23.4 million units in 2021.

Statistic 82

Pistol production hit 11.5 million in 2021.

Statistic 83

Rifle production totaled 7.0 million firearms in 2021.

Statistic 84

Shotgun production was 1.2 million in 2021.

Statistic 85

Other firearms production reached 3.7 million in 2021.

Statistic 86

Firearms production in 2020 was 22.6 million units.

Statistic 87

2022 pistol production was 12.4 million.

Statistic 88

U.S. manufacturers produced 8.3 million rifles in 2022.

Statistic 89

Shotgun output in 2022 was 1.1 million.

Statistic 90

Revolvers production was 474,000 in 2022.

Statistic 91

Firearms production peaked at 27.5 million in 2016.

Statistic 92

2019 production totaled 20.4 million firearms.

Statistic 93

Handgun production dominated with 13.7 million in 2020.

Statistic 94

Long gun production was 9.1 million in 2020.

Statistic 95

AR-15 style rifles production estimated at 2.5 million annually.

Statistic 96

2018 firearms production was 16.2 million.

Statistic 97

Semi-automatic pistol production leads industry output.

Statistic 98

U.S. frames/receivers produced: 24.3 million in 2021.

Statistic 99

2023 preliminary production data shows 16.8 million firearms.

Statistic 100

Polymer frame pistols production surged 20% in 2021.

Statistic 101

Ruger produced over 2 million firearms in 2022.

Statistic 102

Smith & Wesson output: 1.8 million units in FY2023.

Statistic 103

Glock Inc. U.S. production exceeds 1 million annually.

Statistic 104

Remington Arms annual capacity pre-bankruptcy: 2 million.

Statistic 105

Sig Sauer production: 1.2 million firearms in 2022.

Statistic 106

Sturm, Ruger & Co. shipped 1.9 million in 2023.

Statistic 107

Colt's Manufacturing output: 500,000 units yearly average.

Statistic 108

Henry Repeating Arms produces 500,000 firearms annually.

Statistic 109

Barrett Firearms production: 20,000 rifles per year.

Statistic 110

Daniel Defense annual production: 100,000 AR-15s.

Statistic 111

Total U.S. handgun production 2015-2021 averaged 10 million/year.

Statistic 112

NICS checks reached 39.7 million in 2021.

Statistic 113

Firearm retail sales estimated at $19 billion in 2021.

Statistic 114

Black Friday 2021 gun sales: 1 million+

Statistic 115

2020 saw 21.5 million NICS checks.

Statistic 116

Handgun sales dominate 62% of market in 2022.

Statistic 117

Modern sporting rifle sales: 25 million since 1990.

Statistic 118

GunBroker.com sales volume: $1 billion+ annually.

Statistic 119

2022 NICS checks: 28.8 million.

Statistic 120

Firearms industry revenue: $68 billion in 2023.

Statistic 121

Ammo sales revenue: $10 billion in 2021.

Statistic 122

Private sales estimated 40% of total transactions.

Statistic 123

Cyber Monday 2022 gun sales record: 180,000.

Statistic 124

Pistol sales 2021: 13 million estimated.

Statistic 125

Rifle sales surged 50% during 2020 pandemic.

Statistic 126

Sporting goods stores gun sales: $15 billion.

Statistic 127

Online gun sales grew 30% YoY in 2022.

Statistic 128

FFL dealer sales volume: 80% of retail market.

Statistic 129

Holiday season 2023 NICS: 7 million checks.

Statistic 130

Used gun market: $5 billion annually.

Statistic 131

Suppressors sales: 500,000 units in 2022.

Statistic 132

Optics and accessories sales: $4 billion.

Statistic 133

Concealed carry weapon sales peak in 2021.

Statistic 134

Gun show sales estimated $1-2 billion yearly.

Statistic 135

2023 projected sales: 20 million firearms.

Statistic 136

Smith & Wesson revenue: $1.1 billion FY2023.

Statistic 137

Vista Outdoor sales: $3 billion in 2023.

Statistic 138

Sturm Ruger revenue: $700 million in 2023.

Statistic 139

Firearms industry supports $70 billion economic output.

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From America's factories to its holsters, an astonishing 23.4 million firearms were produced in a single year, a figure that only begins to tell the story of a booming, evolving, and deeply entrenched industry.

Key Takeaways

U.S. firearms production reached 23.4 million units in 2021.
Pistol production hit 11.5 million in 2021.
Rifle production totaled 7.0 million firearms in 2021.
NICS checks reached 39.7 million in 2021.
Firearm retail sales estimated at $19 billion in 2021.
Black Friday 2021 gun sales: 1 million+
Firearms industry direct employment: 390,000 jobs.
Manufacturing jobs in firearms: 72,000 in 2023.
Retail gun dealer employment: 240,000.
Firearms exports totaled $1.7 billion in 2022.
Top export destination: Canada with $500 million.
Pistol exports: 1.2 million units in 2021.
Firearm ownership rate: 32% U.S. adults.
120 guns per 100 residents in U.S.
First-time buyers 40% of 2021 sales.

The United States firearms industry continues to produce and sell millions of weapons annually.

Employment

Firearms industry direct employment: 390,000 jobs.
Manufacturing jobs in firearms: 72,000 in 2023.
Retail gun dealer employment: 240,000.
Shooting range jobs: 45,000 nationwide.
Supplier and distributor jobs: 33,000.
Total induced jobs from industry: 1.1 million.
Firearms manufacturing employment grew 10% 2017-2022.
FFL dealers total: 80,000+ active.
Gun store employees average wage: $45,000.
NSSF member companies employ 300,000+.
Remington bankruptcy impacted 2,000 jobs.
Vista Outdoor workforce: 8,000 employees.
Smith & Wesson employees: 2,200.
Sturm Ruger staff: 2,000.
Sig Sauer U.S. employees: 2,000+.
Average manufacturing wage in sector: $60,000.
Women in firearms industry: 15% of workforce.
Veteran employment rate high: 20%.
Apprenticeships in machining for guns: 5,000 slots.
Labor turnover low at 8% annually.
Unionization rate: under 5% in industry.
COVID job losses minimal: 2% dip.
Export-related jobs: 50,000 direct.
R&D staff in firearms: 10,000 engineers.
Sales staff at ranges: 30,000 FTE.
Administrative roles: 15% of total employment.

Employment Interpretation

While often debated in the abstract, the firearms industry concretely employs roughly as many Americans as the entire state of Wyoming, pays its factory workers better than the national average, and—despite its boom-and-bust nature—has proven stubbornly resilient, even during economic pandemics.

Exports and Imports

Firearms exports totaled $1.7 billion in 2022.
Top export destination: Canada with $500 million.
Pistol exports: 1.2 million units in 2021.
Imports of firearms: 4.5 million in 2022.
Top import source: Austria (Glock).
U.S. rifle exports: $700 million value.
Export licenses issued: 12,000 annually.
Firearms trade surplus: $1 billion in 2021.
Brazil imports from U.S.: $100 million guns.
EU imports U.S. firearms: $300 million.
2020 exports dropped 20% due to COVID.
Shotgun exports: 200,000 units yearly.
Import value: $600 million in 2023.
Turkey major exporter to U.S.
U.S. dominates global small arms exports 40% share.
Mexico imports 500,000 U.S. guns yearly.
Australia banned imports post-1996.
Philippines U.S. arms deal: $50 million.
Export growth 15% YoY 2015-2019.
Brazil export ban impacts U.S. trade.
Canada-U.S. trade: 70% of exports.
ITAR regulations oversee 95% exports.
Civilian market imports rising 10%.
Czech Republic pistols imported 300,000.
U.S. shotgun exports to Europe: $150M.
Global arms trade U.S. share 39%.
28% of civilian-owned guns imported.

Exports and Imports Interpretation

While America remains the world's largest small arms supermarket with a healthy trade surplus, the receipts show our neighbors to the north are our best customers, our own shelves are increasingly stocked with foreign brands, and the shopping cart of global politics can quickly lead to some items being removed from the aisle.

Market Trends

Firearm ownership rate: 32% U.S. adults.
120 guns per 100 residents in U.S.
First-time buyers 40% of 2021 sales.
Women buyers increased to 32% in 2023.
Youth shooting participation: 10 million.
Concealed carry permits: 22 million in 2023.
Home defense top reason for ownership 72%.
AR-15 ownership: 20 million rifles.
Suppressors registered: 3.5 million.
Hunting license holders: 15 million.
Target shooting most popular activity.
Urban ownership rising 15% post-2020.
Black ownership doubled to 24% since 2017.
Hispanic ownership: 20% of adults.
Gen Z buyers: 21% of new owners.
Smart gun interest low: 10%.
Ammo shortage impacted 70% buyers.
Range visits: 200 million annually.
Multi-gun owners: 40% of households.
Self-defense training demand up 25%.
Custom gun market: $2 billion.
Vintage firearms collectibles value up 12%.
Electric bike gun racks sales surge.
Red dot sights adoption: 50% handguns.
3D printed gun kits: 10,000 sold online.
Ghost gun prevalence: 5% of traced firearms.
Modular firearms popularity: 30% sales.

Market Trends Interpretation

America is clearly arming itself with a purpose, moving beyond tradition into a culture where self-reliance, customization, and diverse personal defense are not just growing but becoming thoroughly mainstream.

Production and Manufacturing

U.S. firearms production reached 23.4 million units in 2021.
Pistol production hit 11.5 million in 2021.
Rifle production totaled 7.0 million firearms in 2021.
Shotgun production was 1.2 million in 2021.
Other firearms production reached 3.7 million in 2021.
Firearms production in 2020 was 22.6 million units.
2022 pistol production was 12.4 million.
U.S. manufacturers produced 8.3 million rifles in 2022.
Shotgun output in 2022 was 1.1 million.
Revolvers production was 474,000 in 2022.
Firearms production peaked at 27.5 million in 2016.
2019 production totaled 20.4 million firearms.
Handgun production dominated with 13.7 million in 2020.
Long gun production was 9.1 million in 2020.
AR-15 style rifles production estimated at 2.5 million annually.
2018 firearms production was 16.2 million.
Semi-automatic pistol production leads industry output.
U.S. frames/receivers produced: 24.3 million in 2021.
2023 preliminary production data shows 16.8 million firearms.
Polymer frame pistols production surged 20% in 2021.
Ruger produced over 2 million firearms in 2022.
Smith & Wesson output: 1.8 million units in FY2023.
Glock Inc. U.S. production exceeds 1 million annually.
Remington Arms annual capacity pre-bankruptcy: 2 million.
Sig Sauer production: 1.2 million firearms in 2022.
Sturm, Ruger & Co. shipped 1.9 million in 2023.
Colt's Manufacturing output: 500,000 units yearly average.
Henry Repeating Arms produces 500,000 firearms annually.
Barrett Firearms production: 20,000 rifles per year.
Daniel Defense annual production: 100,000 AR-15s.
Total U.S. handgun production 2015-2021 averaged 10 million/year.

Production and Manufacturing Interpretation

America's enduring love affair with the handgun continues apace, producing enough pistols each year to ensure that, statistically speaking, someone somewhere is always having a very bad day.

Sales and Revenue

NICS checks reached 39.7 million in 2021.
Firearm retail sales estimated at $19 billion in 2021.
Black Friday 2021 gun sales: 1 million+
2020 saw 21.5 million NICS checks.
Handgun sales dominate 62% of market in 2022.
Modern sporting rifle sales: 25 million since 1990.
GunBroker.com sales volume: $1 billion+ annually.
2022 NICS checks: 28.8 million.
Firearms industry revenue: $68 billion in 2023.
Ammo sales revenue: $10 billion in 2021.
Private sales estimated 40% of total transactions.
Cyber Monday 2022 gun sales record: 180,000.
Pistol sales 2021: 13 million estimated.
Rifle sales surged 50% during 2020 pandemic.
Sporting goods stores gun sales: $15 billion.
Online gun sales grew 30% YoY in 2022.
FFL dealer sales volume: 80% of retail market.
Holiday season 2023 NICS: 7 million checks.
Used gun market: $5 billion annually.
Suppressors sales: 500,000 units in 2022.
Optics and accessories sales: $4 billion.
Concealed carry weapon sales peak in 2021.
Gun show sales estimated $1-2 billion yearly.
2023 projected sales: 20 million firearms.
Smith & Wesson revenue: $1.1 billion FY2023.
Vista Outdoor sales: $3 billion in 2023.
Sturm Ruger revenue: $700 million in 2023.
Firearms industry supports $70 billion economic output.

Sales and Revenue Interpretation

Despite the deafening political debate, the only thing louder than the arguments about guns is the unmistakable cha-ching of a uniquely American industry thriving, arming, and accessorizing itself to the tune of tens of billions annually.

Sources & References

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