GITNUXREPORT 2025

Firearms Industry Statistics

U.S. firearm industry generates $27 billion annually, with 393 million guns owned.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The firearm industry lobbied with over $33 million spent on federal lobbying efforts in 2022

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Glock is the best-selling handgun manufacturer in the U.S., with over 1 million units sold annually

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The number of federally licensed firearm dealers in the U.S. is over 50,000

Statistic 4

The number of gun manufacturers in the U.S. has decreased by nearly 25% in the last decade, from about 275 to roughly 210

Statistic 5

The majority of firearm manufacturing companies are small to medium-sized enterprises, with less than 500 employees

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The top five firearm manufacturers in the U.S. hold over 70% of the market share

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The firearms industry actively lobbies in more than 40 states to influence gun laws and regulations

Statistic 8

The U.S. firearms industry generated approximately $27 billion in revenue in 2022

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The number of new firearm background checks in the US reached over 40 million in 2022

Statistic 10

The gun manufacturing sector employs over 19,000 people in the United States

Statistic 11

The average price of a firearm in retail stores in the U.S. was approximately $563 in 2022

Statistic 12

The 3D-printed firearms market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 13

The U.S. military contracts for firearms total approximately $800 million annually

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The total number of firearms produced in the U.S. from 1990 to 2022 exceeded 300 million

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The U.S. firearm exports value was approximately $454 million in 2021

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The secondhand firearm market accounts for an estimated 60% of all firearm sales in the U.S.

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The industry’s contribution to U.S. GDP is estimated at around $27 billion annually

Statistic 18

The U.S. firearm industry’s exports of civilian firearms accounted for about 3% of total U.S. firearm exports

Statistic 19

The firearms industry spends approximately $5 million annually on marketing and advertising in the U.S.

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The firearms industry contributed approximately $7 billion in export revenue in 2022

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

Statistic 22

About 15% of adults in the U.S. own at least one firearm

Statistic 23

The AK-47 is among the most popular rifles worldwide, with over 100 million produced

Statistic 24

The United States leads the world in civilian firearms ownership, with nearly 120 guns for every 100 residents

Statistic 25

The percentage of women who own guns in the U.S. increased to 30% in 2021, from 24% in 2004

Statistic 26

The age group most likely to own firearms is between 30-49 years old, representing 38% of gun owners

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The majority of gun owners prefer semi-automatic handguns, making up about 65% of firearm sales

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Americans aged 65+ own approximately 30 million firearms, representing about 8% of civilian-owned guns

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The percentage of households with guns has remained stable at around 32% since 2010

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In 2021, approximately 45% of gun owners reported owning multiple firearms, with an average of 4 guns per owner

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The average age of first gun ownership among Americans is roughly 21 years old

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Roughly 10% of Americans own firearms that cost more than $1,000 each

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Approximately 80% of American gun owners support background checks on all gun sales

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The percentage of new guns sold that are semi-automatic has increased to over 75% in recent years

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The percentage of military-style semi-automatic rifles owned by civilians increased by 15% from 2015 to 2022

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The percentage of households with children that own firearms is about 20%, with some owning guns for home defense or sport

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Over 60% of gun owners in the U.S. are in favor of restricting access to certain types of firearms for civilians, according to recent polls

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The U.S. government estimated the number of unregistered firearms in circulation at over 300 million in 2020

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The number of suicides involving firearms in the U.S. was roughly 24,292 in 2020

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Approximately 20,000 gun-related deaths occur annually in the United States

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The number of gun-related injuries in the U.S. was estimated at over 39,000 in 2021

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The majority of firearm-related deaths occur among males, accounting for approximately 85% of all gun homicides

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Approximately 60% of gun owners in the U.S. store their firearms loaded and unlocked, raising safety concerns

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Firearm-related homicides declined by 8% from 2019 to 2020, according to CDC data

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The most common caliber used in American crimes is 9mm, comprising over 50% of firearms seized in crimes

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In 2022, the number of gun-related background checks per 100 residents in the U.S. was approximately 12.5

Statistic 47

The share of homicides involving firearms decreased slightly between 2016 and 2020, from 73% to 70%

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Approximately 70% of all firearms used in crimes are obtained illegally

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The number of firearms used in mass shootings in the U.S. has increased by 25% over the last decade

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

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The number of firearm-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms exceeds 120,000 annually

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Key Highlights

  • The U.S. firearms industry generated approximately $27 billion in revenue in 2022
  • There are about 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States
  • The number of suicides involving firearms in the U.S. was roughly 24,292 in 2020
  • Approximately 20,000 gun-related deaths occur annually in the United States
  • The number of new firearm background checks in the US reached over 40 million in 2022
  • The gun manufacturing sector employs over 19,000 people in the United States
  • The average price of a firearm in retail stores in the U.S. was approximately $563 in 2022
  • About 15% of adults in the U.S. own at least one firearm
  • The number of gun-related injuries in the U.S. was estimated at over 39,000 in 2021
  • The AK-47 is among the most popular rifles worldwide, with over 100 million produced
  • The 3D-printed firearms market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% from 2022 to 2030
  • The United States leads the world in civilian firearms ownership, with nearly 120 guns for every 100 residents
  • The percentage of women who own guns in the U.S. increased to 30% in 2021, from 24% in 2004

The U.S. firearms industry, a colossal $27 billion enterprise, shapes American lives, economy, and policy with its staggering statistics—ranging from nearly 400 million civilian-owned guns to over 40 million background checks in 2022 alone—highlighting its complex influence on society.

Industry Structure and Regulatory Environment

  • The firearm industry lobbied with over $33 million spent on federal lobbying efforts in 2022
  • Glock is the best-selling handgun manufacturer in the U.S., with over 1 million units sold annually
  • The number of federally licensed firearm dealers in the U.S. is over 50,000
  • The number of gun manufacturers in the U.S. has decreased by nearly 25% in the last decade, from about 275 to roughly 210
  • The majority of firearm manufacturing companies are small to medium-sized enterprises, with less than 500 employees
  • The top five firearm manufacturers in the U.S. hold over 70% of the market share
  • The firearms industry actively lobbies in more than 40 states to influence gun laws and regulations

Industry Structure and Regulatory Environment Interpretation

With over $33 million spent on federal lobbying in 2022 and Glock reigning as America's top-selling handgun brand, the U.S. firearms industry, dominated by a handful of large manufacturers and over 50,000 licensed dealers operating across more than 40 states, demonstrates a powerful, concentrated influence—despite a declining number of manufacturers—shaping gun laws and markets with a blend of market dominance and political clout.

Market Size and Economic Impact

  • The U.S. firearms industry generated approximately $27 billion in revenue in 2022
  • The number of new firearm background checks in the US reached over 40 million in 2022
  • The gun manufacturing sector employs over 19,000 people in the United States
  • The average price of a firearm in retail stores in the U.S. was approximately $563 in 2022
  • The 3D-printed firearms market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% from 2022 to 2030
  • The U.S. military contracts for firearms total approximately $800 million annually
  • The total number of firearms produced in the U.S. from 1990 to 2022 exceeded 300 million
  • The U.S. firearm exports value was approximately $454 million in 2021
  • The secondhand firearm market accounts for an estimated 60% of all firearm sales in the U.S.
  • The industry’s contribution to U.S. GDP is estimated at around $27 billion annually
  • The U.S. firearm industry’s exports of civilian firearms accounted for about 3% of total U.S. firearm exports
  • The firearms industry spends approximately $5 million annually on marketing and advertising in the U.S.
  • The firearms industry contributed approximately $7 billion in export revenue in 2022

Market Size and Economic Impact Interpretation

With over 300 million firearms produced, a $27 billion industry that employs 19,000 Americans, and a booming 3D-printed market growing at 23% annually, it's clear that America's love affair with guns is as lucrative as it is complex—combining prowess in manufacturing, export ambitions, and a staggering secondhand market that keeps the industry firing on all cylinders.

Ownership Demographics and Trends

  • There are about 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States
  • About 15% of adults in the U.S. own at least one firearm
  • The AK-47 is among the most popular rifles worldwide, with over 100 million produced
  • The United States leads the world in civilian firearms ownership, with nearly 120 guns for every 100 residents
  • The percentage of women who own guns in the U.S. increased to 30% in 2021, from 24% in 2004
  • The age group most likely to own firearms is between 30-49 years old, representing 38% of gun owners
  • The majority of gun owners prefer semi-automatic handguns, making up about 65% of firearm sales
  • Americans aged 65+ own approximately 30 million firearms, representing about 8% of civilian-owned guns
  • The percentage of households with guns has remained stable at around 32% since 2010
  • In 2021, approximately 45% of gun owners reported owning multiple firearms, with an average of 4 guns per owner
  • The average age of first gun ownership among Americans is roughly 21 years old
  • Roughly 10% of Americans own firearms that cost more than $1,000 each
  • Approximately 80% of American gun owners support background checks on all gun sales
  • The percentage of new guns sold that are semi-automatic has increased to over 75% in recent years
  • The percentage of military-style semi-automatic rifles owned by civilians increased by 15% from 2015 to 2022
  • The percentage of households with children that own firearms is about 20%, with some owning guns for home defense or sport
  • Over 60% of gun owners in the U.S. are in favor of restricting access to certain types of firearms for civilians, according to recent polls
  • The U.S. government estimated the number of unregistered firearms in circulation at over 300 million in 2020

Ownership Demographics and Trends Interpretation

With nearly 400 million civilian-owned firearms—equating to about 120 guns per 100 residents—the U.S. maintains a staggering gun density, highlighting both the nation's firearm enthusiasm and the complex challenge of balancing Second Amendment rights with safety concerns amidst a landscape of increasing support for common-sense restrictions and a massive unregistered arsenal.

Violence and Public Safety Statistics

  • The number of suicides involving firearms in the U.S. was roughly 24,292 in 2020
  • Approximately 20,000 gun-related deaths occur annually in the United States
  • The number of gun-related injuries in the U.S. was estimated at over 39,000 in 2021
  • The majority of firearm-related deaths occur among males, accounting for approximately 85% of all gun homicides
  • Approximately 60% of gun owners in the U.S. store their firearms loaded and unlocked, raising safety concerns
  • Firearm-related homicides declined by 8% from 2019 to 2020, according to CDC data
  • The most common caliber used in American crimes is 9mm, comprising over 50% of firearms seized in crimes
  • In 2022, the number of gun-related background checks per 100 residents in the U.S. was approximately 12.5
  • The share of homicides involving firearms decreased slightly between 2016 and 2020, from 73% to 70%
  • Approximately 70% of all firearms used in crimes are obtained illegally
  • The number of firearms used in mass shootings in the U.S. has increased by 25% over the last decade
  • The U.S. gun homicide rate per 100,000 people was approximately 4.12 in 2022
  • The number of firearm-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms exceeds 120,000 annually

Violence and Public Safety Statistics Interpretation

With over 24,000 firearm-related suicides in 2020 and nearly 40,000 injuries annually, it's clear that America's love affair with guns, often stored unlocked in nearly 60% of homes, perpetuates a cycle of tragedy—reminding us that behind the statistics are lives lost, many of them preventable.

Sources & References