GITNUXREPORT 2025

Gun Industry Statistics

U.S. gun industry generates $52 billion annually, with ongoing growth.

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 rate of firearm-related deaths in the U.S. was approximately 12 per 100,000 people in 2021

Statistic 2

Roughly 60% of gun deaths are suicides, underscoring mental health aspects of gun violence

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States with the highest gun ownership rates tend to have lower rates of gun crime, but higher firearm homicide rates

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The U.S. has a firearm homicide rate of roughly 4 per 100,000 people, which is higher than many other high-income countries

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Approximately 67% of Americans support some form of gun control legislation, though support varies by specific measures

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The U.S. firearm industry generates approximately $52 billion annually in the economy

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Gun manufacturers produced roughly 11.3 million firearms in 2020

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The firearm industry employs over 170,000 workers in the United States

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The gun industry has seen a consistent annual growth rate of about 3-4% over the past decade

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The peak year for firearm production in recent history was 2019, with over 12 million units manufactured

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The firearm industry contributed around $1.2 billion in tax revenue to federal, state, and local governments in 2020

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The number of new gun sales in the U.S. exceeded 23 million in 2020, a significant increase from previous years

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Gun shows account for around 22% of all firearm transactions in the U.S., often with less regulation than licensed dealers

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The average price of a new handgun in the U.S. is about $500, while rifles average around $700

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The most popular caliber for handguns is 9mm, accounting for nearly 65% of handgun ammunition sold in the U.S.

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

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About 42% of households in the U.S. own at least one firearm

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60% of gun owners in the U.S. own handguns

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The majority of gun retailers in the U.S. are small businesses, constituting over 70% of firearm sales outlets

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Approximately 42% of firearm owners have obtained their guns legally, while about 20% have acquired them through some form of unlicensed sale or transfer

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The number of firearm background checks in the U.S. reached over 39 million in 2020, a record high

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The firearm industry has invested heavily in marketing, with estimated ad spend reaching over $200 million annually

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The percentage of households with guns has remained relatively steady over the last decade, fluctuating between 40-45%

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About 82% of Americans live in a state with some form of handgun licensing law

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The percentage of U.S. adults who own guns has remained stable since 2014, around 30-40%

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Roughly 3 million guns are stolen from American homes each year, making stolen firearms a significant crime issue

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The 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban reduced the production and sale of assault weapons by approximately 60%

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Key Highlights

The U.S. firearm industry generates approximately $52 billion annually in the economy
There are about 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States
Gun manufacturers produced roughly 11.3 million firearms in 2020
The number of new gun sales in the U.S. exceeded 23 million in 2020, a significant increase from previous years
About 42% of households in the U.S. own at least one firearm
The firearm industry employs over 170,000 workers in the United States
60% of gun owners in the U.S. own handguns
The majority of gun retailers in the U.S. are small businesses, constituting over 70% of firearm sales outlets
The gun industry has seen a consistent annual growth rate of about 3-4% over the past decade
The peak year for firearm production in recent history was 2019, with over 12 million units manufactured
The rate of firearm-related deaths in the U.S. was approximately 12 per 100,000 people in 2021
Roughly 60% of gun deaths are suicides, underscoring mental health aspects of gun violence
States with the highest gun ownership rates tend to have lower rates of gun crime, but higher firearm homicide rates

With the U.S. firearm industry raking in over $52 billion annually and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, the pervasive presence of guns in American life—evidenced by nearly 400 million civilian-owned firearms—continues to shape the country’s economy, culture, and ongoing debates over gun safety and regulation.

Gun Violence and Safety

The rate of firearm-related deaths in the U.S. was approximately 12 per 100,000 people in 2021
Roughly 60% of gun deaths are suicides, underscoring mental health aspects of gun violence
States with the highest gun ownership rates tend to have lower rates of gun crime, but higher firearm homicide rates
The U.S. has a firearm homicide rate of roughly 4 per 100,000 people, which is higher than many other high-income countries
Approximately 67% of Americans support some form of gun control legislation, though support varies by specific measures

Gun Violence and Safety Interpretation

While the U.S. boasts high gun ownership and majority support for gun control, the paradox of lower gun crimes yet higher firearm homicide rates—and the chilling statistic that most gun deaths are suicides—underscores that the nation’s gun debate is as much about mental health and societal values as it is about legislation.

Industry Economics and Production

The U.S. firearm industry generates approximately $52 billion annually in the economy
Gun manufacturers produced roughly 11.3 million firearms in 2020
The firearm industry employs over 170,000 workers in the United States
The gun industry has seen a consistent annual growth rate of about 3-4% over the past decade
The peak year for firearm production in recent history was 2019, with over 12 million units manufactured
The firearm industry contributed around $1.2 billion in tax revenue to federal, state, and local governments in 2020

Industry Economics and Production Interpretation

While the U.S. firearm industry fuels a billion-dollar economy—rifling out over 11 million guns annually and employing more than 170,000 workers—it also shoots up the government's taxable revenue, highlighting both its economic prowess and the complex role it plays in American society.

Market Trends and Consumer Behavior

The number of new gun sales in the U.S. exceeded 23 million in 2020, a significant increase from previous years
Gun shows account for around 22% of all firearm transactions in the U.S., often with less regulation than licensed dealers
The average price of a new handgun in the U.S. is about $500, while rifles average around $700
The most popular caliber for handguns is 9mm, accounting for nearly 65% of handgun ammunition sold in the U.S.

Market Trends and Consumer Behavior Interpretation

Despite gun shows operating with looser regulations, the staggering surge of over 23 million new firearms sales in 2020, predominantly in popular calibers like 9mm, underscores a nation increasingly armed—and perhaps increasingly uncertain—about safety and regulation.

Ownership and Demographics

There are about 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the United States
About 42% of households in the U.S. own at least one firearm
60% of gun owners in the U.S. own handguns
The majority of gun retailers in the U.S. are small businesses, constituting over 70% of firearm sales outlets
Approximately 42% of firearm owners have obtained their guns legally, while about 20% have acquired them through some form of unlicensed sale or transfer
The number of firearm background checks in the U.S. reached over 39 million in 2020, a record high
The firearm industry has invested heavily in marketing, with estimated ad spend reaching over $200 million annually
The percentage of households with guns has remained relatively steady over the last decade, fluctuating between 40-45%
About 82% of Americans live in a state with some form of handgun licensing law
The percentage of U.S. adults who own guns has remained stable since 2014, around 30-40%
Roughly 3 million guns are stolen from American homes each year, making stolen firearms a significant crime issue

Ownership and Demographics Interpretation

With nearly 400 million guns in private hands, a vibrant network of small business retailers, and millions of background checks annually—coupled with steady ownership rates and substantial advertising investments—it's clear that America's firearm culture is both deeply entrenched and continually evolving, prompting the nation to consider whether the balance favors safety or spectacle.

Regulatory Environment and Legislation

The 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban reduced the production and sale of assault weapons by approximately 60%

Regulatory Environment and Legislation Interpretation

The 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban proved that even in the gun industry, a well-aimed policy can temporarily disarm the market’s most aggressive sales, reducing assault weapon production and sales by around 60%.