Illinois firearms statistics

Name: Illinois firearms statistics
Creator: USA Arms
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

How many guns Illinois makes and who makes them, the jobs and pay behind them, licenses, background checks, exports, hunting licenses and conservation money. Every figure comes from a federal source and keeps that source’s own period.

Newest data: FBI checks through August 2026 · ATF licenses, August 2026 · ATF production, 2024 · BLS jobs, 2025. How Illinois compares · U.S. statistics · Illinois directory

213,446firearms made in Illinois in 2024, 13th of 50 states and 2.2% of U.S. productionATF · 2024
1,414federal firearms license records, 24th of 50 statesATF · Aug 2026
282,380paid hunting-license holders, 22nd of 50 statesUSFWS · license year 2024
2,546,739FBI background checks in 2025, 83.7% of them for permits. A check is not a saleFBI · 2025, 12 months
1,279private jobs making ammunition in 2025, paying $111,526 on averageBLS · 2025
$16,595,276Wildlife Restoration apportionment for fiscal 2026, 22nd of 50 statesUSFWS · FY 2026
$130.8 millionof firearms and ammunition exported from Illinois in 2025, across 5 product groupsCensus · 2025, 12 months

How many guns are made in Illinois?

Plants in Illinois reported making 213,446 firearms in 2024, down 30.2% from 2023. That is 2.2% of U.S. production, 13th among the states. The high was 647,423 in 2021. [1] See gun manufacturers in Illinois for the makers listed in our directory.

Firearms manufactured in Illinois, 2004–2024 firearms

Hatched: withheld

2024: 213,446 · 2023: 305,918 · 30.2% fewer

2022 withheld222,102206,290647,423222,102206,290647,423647,423

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report (AFMER), plants in Illinois, by calendar year. ATF withheld the state’s figures for 2022 and 1992–2003.

213,446firearms reported by plants in Illinois for 2024, 2.2% of U.S. production; 305,918 for 2023ATF AFMER · calendar year 2024 · IllinoisCite

What Illinois makes

Pistols were 57.1% of Illinois production in 2024.

Pistols121,799 57.1%
Rifles73,066 34.2%
Shotguns2,495 1.2%
Revolvers431 0.2%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024. Each type adds up what Illinois plants reported.

Largest filings in Illinois, 2024

Each row is one plant’s ATF filing. Names appear as filed and are not yet matched to manufacturer pages. Illinois had 34 filings in 2024.

Largest filings, 2024
#	Filing	Plant city	Firearms, 2024	Share of Illinois
1	Springfield Inc.Geneseo · 85.8%	Geneseo	183,136	85.8%
2	Dr Guns LLCLake Zurich · 6.1%	Lake Zurich	13,043	6.1%
3	Lets Go Baby LLCMcHenry · 2.7%	McHenry	5,845	2.7%
4	Rock River Arms Inc.Colona · 1.8%	Colona	3,788	1.8%
5	Dr Guns LLCLake Zurich · 1.3%	Lake Zurich	2,881	1.3%
6	DS Arms, IncorporatedLake Barrington · 1.1%	Lake Barrington	2,349	1.1%
7	Armsco Inc.Des Plaines · 0.8%	Des Plaines	1,796	0.8%
8	Individual licenseeMonee · <0.1%	Monee	95	<0.1%
9	Sportswereus Inc.Carpentersville · <0.1%	Carpentersville	83	<0.1%
10	Manufacture Design Innovation, Inc.Gilberts · <0.1%	Gilberts	61	<0.1%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024 filings. A filing covers one plant, so it is not a company total.

Production by city

Lake Zurich has the most filings (3), and Geneseo reported the most firearms.

Geneseo183,136 1 filing
Lake Zurich15,935 3 filings
McHenry5,845 1 filing
Colona3,790 2 filings
Lake Barrington2,349 1 filing
Des Plaines1,796 1 filing
Quincy104 2 filings
Monee103 2 filings

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024. A filing’s city is where the plant is, not always where the company is based.

Who makes America's guns?Illinois’s largest filings each year · compare Illinois with another state or year

Show all 21 years

Firearms made in Illinois, in all and by type
Year	Firearms made	Pistols	Rifles	Shotguns	Revolvers
2024	Firearms made213,446	Pistols121,799Sum of 34 filings	Rifles73,066Sum of 34 filings	Shotguns2,495Sum of 34 filings	Revolvers431Sum of 34 filings
2023	Firearms made305,918	Pistols180,465Sum of 37 filings	Rifles97,819Sum of 37 filings	Shotguns436Sum of 37 filings	Revolvers544Sum of 37 filings
2022	Firearms madeWithheld	PistolsNot reported	RiflesNot reported	ShotgunsNot reported	RevolversNot reported
2021	Firearms made647,423	Pistols155,376Sum of 43 filings	Rifles480,404Sum of 43 filings	Shotguns1,425Sum of 43 filings	Revolvers15Sum of 43 filings
2020	Firearms made433,603	Pistols166,741Sum of 34 filings	Rifles258,638Sum of 34 filings	Shotguns1,190Sum of 34 filings	Revolvers15Sum of 34 filings
2019	Firearms made8,212	Pistols611Sum of 30 filings	Rifles2,775Sum of 30 filings	Shotguns192Sum of 30 filings	Revolvers20Sum of 30 filings
2018	Firearms made222,102	Pistols141,275Sum of 39 filings	Rifles75,908Sum of 39 filings	Shotguns561Sum of 39 filings	Revolvers19Sum of 39 filings
2017	Firearms made173,481	Pistols81,825Sum of 35 filings	Rifles86,342Sum of 35 filings	Shotguns2,359Sum of 35 filings	Revolvers2Sum of 35 filings
2016	Firearms made206,290	Pistols79,966	Rifles119,578	Shotguns2,927	Revolvers1
2015	Firearms made123,938	Pistols60,253Sum of 33 filings	Rifles59,271Sum of 33 filings	Shotguns2,139Sum of 33 filings	Revolvers4Sum of 33 filings
2014	Firearms made163,841	Pistols77,776Sum of 35 filings	Rifles77,490Sum of 35 filings	Shotguns3,924Sum of 35 filings	Revolvers0Sum of 35 filings
2013	Firearms made176,613	Pistols55,792Sum of 31 filings	Rifles87,659Sum of 31 filings	Shotguns8,378Sum of 31 filings	Revolvers10Sum of 31 filings

Earlier years, 2004–2012

Firearms made in Illinois, in all and by type, 2004–2012
Year	Firearms made	Pistols	Rifles	Shotguns	Revolvers
2012	Firearms made186,995	Pistols66,085Sum of 22 filings	Rifles102,991Sum of 22 filings	Shotguns1,141Sum of 22 filings	Revolvers0Sum of 22 filings
2011	Firearms made128,230	Pistols53,757Sum of 20 filings	Rifles72,673Sum of 20 filings	Shotguns8Sum of 20 filings	Revolvers2Sum of 20 filings
2010	Firearms made83,782	Pistols17,139	Rifles65,007	Shotguns0	Revolvers1
2009	Firearms made94,500	Pistols16,915Sum of 17 filings	Rifles77,561Sum of 17 filings	Shotguns19Sum of 17 filings	Revolvers1Sum of 17 filings
2008	Firearms made77,031	Pistols11,314Sum of 12 filings	Rifles62,232Sum of 12 filings	Shotguns0Sum of 12 filings	Revolvers0Sum of 12 filings
2007	Firearms made69,675	Pistols15,921Sum of 14 filings	Rifles52,853Sum of 14 filings	Shotguns0Sum of 14 filings	Revolvers0Sum of 14 filings
2006	Firearms made54,493	Pistols9,089Sum of 10 filings	Rifles43,592Sum of 10 filings	Shotguns1Sum of 10 filings	Revolvers0Sum of 10 filings
2005	Firearms made40,916	Pistols7,834	Rifles33,023	Shotguns0	Revolvers0
2004	Firearms made21,902	Pistols2,012Sum of 6 filings	Rifles19,890Sum of 6 filings	Shotguns0Sum of 6 filings	Revolvers0Sum of 6 filings

Cite a figure from this section (24)

In 2024, 213,446 firearms were manufactured in Illinois, as reported to ATF in the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report.Cite
In 2024, 121,799 pistols were manufactured in Illinois, as reported to ATF in the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2024, 73,066 rifles were manufactured in Illinois, as reported to ATF in the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2024, 2,495 shotguns were manufactured in Illinois, as reported to ATF in the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2024, 431 revolvers were manufactured in Illinois, as reported to ATF in the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2023, 305,918 firearms were manufactured in Illinois, as reported to ATF in the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (SPRINGFIELD INC, Geneseo) reported 183,136 firearms made in Geneseo, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (DR GUNS LLC, Lake Zurich) reported 13,043 firearms made in Lake Zurich, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (LETS GO BABY LLC, McHenry) reported 5,845 firearms made in McHenry, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (ROCK RIVER ARMS INC, Colona) reported 3,788 firearms made in Colona, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (DR GUNS LLC, Lake Zurich) reported 2,881 firearms made in Lake Zurich, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (DS ARMS, INCORPORATED, Lake Barrington) reported 2,349 firearms made in Lake Barrington, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (ARMSCO INC, Des Plaines) reported 1,796 firearms made in Des Plaines, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (one licensee) reported 95 firearms made in Monee, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (SPORTSWEREUS INC, Carpentersville) reported 83 firearms made in Carpentersville, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, one ATF manufacturing filing (MANUFACTURE DESIGN INNOVATION, INC, Gilberts) reported 61 firearms made in Gilberts, Illinois.Cite
In 2024, ATF manufacturing filings in Geneseo, Illinois reported 183,136 firearms made.Cite
In 2024, ATF manufacturing filings in Lake Zurich, Illinois reported 15,935 firearms made.Cite
In 2024, ATF manufacturing filings in McHenry, Illinois reported 5,845 firearms made.Cite
In 2024, ATF manufacturing filings in Colona, Illinois reported 3,790 firearms made.Cite
In 2024, ATF manufacturing filings in Lake Barrington, Illinois reported 2,349 firearms made.Cite
In 2024, ATF manufacturing filings in Des Plaines, Illinois reported 1,796 firearms made.Cite
In 2024, ATF manufacturing filings in Quincy, Illinois reported 104 firearms made.Cite
In 2024, ATF manufacturing filings in Monee, Illinois reported 103 firearms made.Cite

How many people make firearms in Illinois?

Private ammunition makers (industry code NAICS 332992) in Illinois had 1,279 jobs at 9 establishments in 2025. Average pay was $111,526 a year. The most since 2022 was 1,315 in 2024. BLS last published small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs for Illinois for 2024: 598. [5]

Private employment in ammunition manufacturing, Illinois, 2001–2025 jobs, annual average

2025: 1,279 · 2024: 1,315 · 2.7% fewer

From 2022, includes other ordnance1,2791,96920011,2791,2791,9692001

Source: BLS county and state jobs counts (QCEW), Illinois, private employers. From 2022, BLS counts other ordnance makers in this industry too, so years on either side of the line are not compared. Years BLS withheld are gaps.

1,279private jobs making ammunition in Illinois at 9 establishments, paying $111,526 on averageBLS QCEW · 2025 annual average · IllinoisCite
2.92job concentration (location quotient): ammunition manufacturing is 2.9 times as large a share of Illinois jobs as of U.S. jobsBLS QCEW · 2025 · NAICS 332992Cite
$485,412,000shipped by 14 small arms plants; payroll withheld by CensusEconomic Census · 2022 · NAICS 332994Cite

Counties with the most small arms plants, 2025

Cook County6 establishments
Lake County2 establishments
Henry County2 establishments
Adams County1 establishment
Bureau County1 establishment
DuPage County1 establishment
McHenry County1 establishment
Madison County1 establishment

Source: BLS QCEW, private small arms establishments (NAICS 332994) by county, 2025. BLS publishes every county’s establishment count but withholds most county job counts.

Show all 25 years · jobs, pay and plants

Jobs and pay, 2025, private employers
Measure	Small arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)	Ammunition (332992)
Jobs	Small arms (332994)Not published	Ammunition (332992)1,279
Average annual pay	Small arms (332994)Not published	Ammunition (332992)$111,526
Total wages	Small arms (332994)Not published	Ammunition (332992)$142,595,367
Establishments	Small arms (332994)22	Ammunition (332992)9

Source: BLS QCEW, 2025. “Not published” means BLS withheld the figure or has none for Illinois.

Federal government small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs in Illinois, 2025: 1,740, with $162,072,712 in wages.

Establishments, shipments and payroll, 2022 Economic Census
Measure	Small arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)	Ammunition (332992)
Establishments	Small arms (332994)14	Ammunition (332992)Withheld
Employees	Small arms (332994)Withheld	Ammunition (332992)1,238
Value of shipments	Small arms (332994)$485,412,000	Ammunition (332992)Withheld
Value added	Small arms (332994)$275,885,000	Ammunition (332992)Withheld
Annual payroll	Small arms (332994)Withheld	Ammunition (332992)$113,661,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census.

Private firearm industry jobs by year, Illinois
Year	Ammunition jobs	Small arms jobs
2025	Ammunition jobs1,279	Small arms jobsNot published
2024	Ammunition jobs1,315	Small arms jobs598
2023	Ammunition jobs1,273	Small arms jobs617
2022	Ammunition jobs1,229	Small arms jobs704
2021	Ammunition jobs1,230	Small arms jobs762
2020	Ammunition jobs1,190	Small arms jobs674
2019	Ammunition jobs1,225	Small arms jobs675
2018	Ammunition jobs1,110	Small arms jobs678
2017	Ammunition jobs1,094	Small arms jobs835
2016	Ammunition jobs1,132	Small arms jobsNot published
2015	Ammunition jobs1,174	Small arms jobsNot published
2014	Ammunition jobs1,372	Small arms jobsNot published

Earlier years, 1990–2013

Private firearm industry jobs by year, Illinois, 1990–2013
Year	Ammunition jobs	Small arms jobs
2013	Ammunition jobs1,457	Small arms jobsNot published
2012	Ammunition jobs1,527	Small arms jobsNot published
2011	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobsNot published
2010	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobsNot published
2009	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobsNot published
2008	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobsNot published
2007	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs262
2006	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs245
2005	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs247
2004	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs228
2003	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs226
2002	Ammunition jobs1,896	Small arms jobs195
2001	Ammunition jobs1,969	Small arms jobs180
2000	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs175
1999	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs166
1998	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs124
1997	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs109
1996	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs82
1995	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs82
1994	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs77
1993	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs70
1992	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs141
1990	Ammunition jobsNot published	Small arms jobs30

Cite a figure from this section (22)

In 2025, private employers in Illinois had 1,279 jobs in ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturing, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
In 2025, private ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturing in Illinois had an employment location quotient of 2.92, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. Above 1, the industry’s share of jobs there is larger than its share nationally.Cite
In 2025, private employers in Illinois paid $142,595,367 in total wages for ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturing jobs, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
In 2022, small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturers in Illinois shipped products worth $485,412,000, according to the 2022 Economic Census.Cite
BLS did not publish the 2025 job count for private small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing in Illinois in its Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
BLS did not publish the 2025 average annual pay for private small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing in Illinois in its Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
In 2025, average annual pay for private ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturing jobs in Illinois was $111,526, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
BLS did not publish the 2025 total wages for private small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing in Illinois in its Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
In 2025, Illinois had 22 private small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing establishments, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
In 2025, Illinois had 9 private ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturing establishments, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
In 2022, Illinois had 14 small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing establishments, according to the 2022 Economic Census.Cite
The 2022 Economic Census withheld the establishment count for ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturing in Illinois.Cite
The 2022 Economic Census withheld the employee count for small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing in Illinois.Cite
In 2022, ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturers in Illinois had 1,238 employees, according to the 2022 Economic Census.Cite
The 2022 Economic Census withheld the value of shipments for ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturing in Illinois.Cite
In 2022, small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing in Illinois added $275,885,000 in value, according to the 2022 Economic Census.Cite
The 2022 Economic Census withheld the value added for ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturing in Illinois.Cite
The 2022 Economic Census withheld the annual payroll for small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing in Illinois.Cite
In 2022, ammunition (NAICS 332992) manufacturers in Illinois had an annual payroll of $113,661,000, according to the 2022 Economic Census.Cite
In 2024, private employers in Illinois had 598 jobs in small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
In 2025, federal government employers in Illinois had 1,740 jobs in small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite
In 2025, federal government employers in Illinois paid $162,072,712 in total wages for small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994) manufacturing jobs, according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.Cite

How many federal firearms licenses are there in Illinois?

ATF’s August 2026 list holds 1,414 license records in Illinois, 13 fewer than a year earlier. Of those, 987 are dealers and 295 are manufacturers. A record is one license, not one store, and one business can hold several. [2] License records are not storefronts: to find a store, see gun shops in Illinois.

Dealer and manufacturer license records in Illinois, January 2021 to August 2026 records

Dealers (type 01)
Manufacturers (type 07)

987295987295987295

Source: ATF Federal Firearms Listings, monthly lists. Months ATF did not publish are gaps, not zeros. ATF’s October and November 2025 lists came out during the federal shutdown (October 1 to November 12, 2025), when ATF paused license renewals. Both are about 10% short in every state and license type, and the count recovers in December: licenses waiting on renewal were left off, not closed.

1,414federal firearms license records on the August 2026 list, all 8 listed types together; 1,427 a year earlierATF Federal Firearms Listings · August 2026 · IllinoisCite

License types, August 2026

Dealers (type 01)987 69.8%
Manufacturers (type 07)295 20.9%
Ammunition manufacturers (type 06)44 3.1%
Pawnbrokers (type 02)38 2.7%
Importers (type 08)35 2.5%
Destructive-device manufacturers (type 10)7 0.5%
Destructive-device importers (type 11)6 0.4%
Destructive-device dealers (type 09)2 0.1%

Source: ATF Federal Firearms Listings, August 2026. ATF’s public list leaves out collector (type 03) licenses, so they are not counted here. That does not mean there are none.

How do federal firearms license counts and types differ by state?Illinois’s license mix against the U.S. · compare Illinois with another state

Show all 68 months by type

License records in Illinois by type, by month
Month	All listed types	Dealer (01)	Manufacturer (07)	Ammunition manufacturer (06)	Pawnbroker (02)	Importer (08)	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)	Destructive-device importer (11)	Destructive-device dealer (09)
August 2026	All types1,414Sum of 8 reported license types	Dealer (01)987	Manufacturer (07)295	Ammunition manufacturer (06)44	Pawnbroker (02)38	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
July 2026	All types1,415	Dealer (01)991	Manufacturer (07)296	Ammunition manufacturer (06)43	Pawnbroker (02)35	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
June 2026	All types1,414	Dealer (01)991	Manufacturer (07)297	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)34	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
May 2026	All types1,406	Dealer (01)984	Manufacturer (07)298	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)33	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
April 2026	All types1,408	Dealer (01)988	Manufacturer (07)296	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)33	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
March 2026	All types1,410	Dealer (01)988	Manufacturer (07)296	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)34	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
February 2026	All types1,411	Dealer (01)988	Manufacturer (07)297	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)34	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
January 2026	All types1,408	Dealer (01)991	Manufacturer (07)294	Ammunition manufacturer (06)41	Pawnbroker (02)32	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
December 2025	All types1,408	Dealer (01)993	Manufacturer (07)291	Ammunition manufacturer (06)41	Pawnbroker (02)32	Importer (08)36	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
November 2025	All types1,303Sum of 8 reported license types. Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list	Dealer (01)921Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list	Manufacturer (07)267Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list	Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list	Pawnbroker (02)31Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list	Importer (08)31Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list	Destructive-device importer (11)6Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list	Destructive-device dealer (09)2Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list
October 2025	All types1,257	Dealer (01)891	Manufacturer (07)255	Ammunition manufacturer (06)38	Pawnbroker (02)28	Importer (08)30	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
September 2025	All types1,419Sum of 8 reported license types	Dealer (01)1,003	Manufacturer (07)290	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)33	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
August 2025	All types1,427	Dealer (01)1,011	Manufacturer (07)289	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)33	Importer (08)36	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
July 2025	All types1,429	Dealer (01)1,016	Manufacturer (07)286	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)35	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
June 2025	All types1,431	Dealer (01)1,023	Manufacturer (07)283	Ammunition manufacturer (06)41	Pawnbroker (02)35	Importer (08)33	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
May 2025	All types1,431	Dealer (01)1,026	Manufacturer (07)282	Ammunition manufacturer (06)40	Pawnbroker (02)33	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
April 2025	All types1,433	Dealer (01)1,027	Manufacturer (07)282	Ammunition manufacturer (06)40	Pawnbroker (02)34	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
March 2025	All types1,426	Dealer (01)1,021	Manufacturer (07)279	Ammunition manufacturer (06)41	Pawnbroker (02)35	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
February 2025	All types1,434	Dealer (01)1,027	Manufacturer (07)279	Ammunition manufacturer (06)42	Pawnbroker (02)36	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
January 2025	All types1,442	Dealer (01)1,032	Manufacturer (07)280	Ammunition manufacturer (06)43	Pawnbroker (02)36	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
December 2024	All types1,447	Dealer (01)1,037	Manufacturer (07)279	Ammunition manufacturer (06)43	Pawnbroker (02)36	Importer (08)36	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
November 2024	All types1,454	Dealer (01)1,044	Manufacturer (07)280	Ammunition manufacturer (06)43	Pawnbroker (02)36	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
October 2024	All types1,465	Dealer (01)1,051	Manufacturer (07)282	Ammunition manufacturer (06)45	Pawnbroker (02)36	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
September 2024	All types1,470	Dealer (01)1,055	Manufacturer (07)282	Ammunition manufacturer (06)45	Pawnbroker (02)37	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2

Earlier months, January 2021 – August 2024

License records in Illinois by type, by month, January 2021 – August 2024
Month	All listed types	Dealer (01)	Manufacturer (07)	Ammunition manufacturer (06)	Pawnbroker (02)	Importer (08)	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)	Destructive-device importer (11)	Destructive-device dealer (09)
August 2024	All types1,477Sum of 8 reported license types	Dealer (01)1,060	Manufacturer (07)282	Ammunition manufacturer (06)46	Pawnbroker (02)38	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
July 2024	All types1,484	Dealer (01)1,071	Manufacturer (07)279	Ammunition manufacturer (06)46	Pawnbroker (02)38	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
June 2024	All types1,490	Dealer (01)1,074	Manufacturer (07)281	Ammunition manufacturer (06)47	Pawnbroker (02)38	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
May 2024	All types1,503	Dealer (01)1,084	Manufacturer (07)282	Ammunition manufacturer (06)46	Pawnbroker (02)39	Importer (08)37	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
April 2024	All types1,510	Dealer (01)1,088	Manufacturer (07)283	Ammunition manufacturer (06)47	Pawnbroker (02)39	Importer (08)38	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
March 2024	All types1,514	Dealer (01)1,091	Manufacturer (07)282	Ammunition manufacturer (06)47	Pawnbroker (02)39	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
February 2024	All types1,517	Dealer (01)1,094	Manufacturer (07)285	Ammunition manufacturer (06)47	Pawnbroker (02)39	Importer (08)38	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)4	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
January 2024	All types1,524	Dealer (01)1,098	Manufacturer (07)287	Ammunition manufacturer (06)47	Pawnbroker (02)40	Importer (08)38	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)4	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
December 2023	All types1,535	Dealer (01)1,107	Manufacturer (07)286	Ammunition manufacturer (06)48	Pawnbroker (02)40	Importer (08)39	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
November 2023	All types1,551	Dealer (01)1,120	Manufacturer (07)287	Ammunition manufacturer (06)48	Pawnbroker (02)41	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
October 2023	All types1,549	Dealer (01)1,123	Manufacturer (07)283	Ammunition manufacturer (06)48	Pawnbroker (02)41	Importer (08)39	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
September 2023	All types1,569	Dealer (01)1,140	Manufacturer (07)284	Ammunition manufacturer (06)48	Pawnbroker (02)42	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
August 2023	All types1,562	Dealer (01)1,139	Manufacturer (07)279	Ammunition manufacturer (06)47	Pawnbroker (02)42	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
July 2023	All types1,574	Dealer (01)1,152	Manufacturer (07)278	Ammunition manufacturer (06)47	Pawnbroker (02)42	Importer (08)41	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)4	Destructive-device dealer (09)2
June 2023	All types1,600	Dealer (01)1,173	Manufacturer (07)278	Ammunition manufacturer (06)49	Pawnbroker (02)42	Importer (08)42	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
May 2023	All types1,615	Dealer (01)1,190	Manufacturer (07)275	Ammunition manufacturer (06)50	Pawnbroker (02)43	Importer (08)41	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
April 2023	All types1,615	Dealer (01)1,190	Manufacturer (07)272	Ammunition manufacturer (06)52	Pawnbroker (02)43	Importer (08)42	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
March 2023	All types1,612	Dealer (01)1,190	Manufacturer (07)269	Ammunition manufacturer (06)52	Pawnbroker (02)44	Importer (08)41	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
February 2023	All types1,618	Dealer (01)1,199	Manufacturer (07)266	Ammunition manufacturer (06)52	Pawnbroker (02)44	Importer (08)41	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
January 2023	All types1,621	Dealer (01)1,200	Manufacturer (07)268	Ammunition manufacturer (06)51	Pawnbroker (02)45	Importer (08)41	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
December 2022	All types1,626	Dealer (01)1,207	Manufacturer (07)267	Ammunition manufacturer (06)50	Pawnbroker (02)46	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
November 2022	All types1,632	Dealer (01)1,213	Manufacturer (07)267	Ammunition manufacturer (06)50	Pawnbroker (02)46	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
October 2022	All types1,637	Dealer (01)1,221	Manufacturer (07)265	Ammunition manufacturer (06)49	Pawnbroker (02)46	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
September 2022	All types1,652	Dealer (01)1,232	Manufacturer (07)267	Ammunition manufacturer (06)50	Pawnbroker (02)46	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
August 2022	All types1,662	Dealer (01)1,243	Manufacturer (07)265	Ammunition manufacturer (06)50	Pawnbroker (02)47	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9	Destructive-device importer (11)5	Destructive-device dealer (09)3
July 2022	All types1,672	Dealer (01)1,250	Manufacturer (07)265	Ammunition manufacturer (06)50	Pawnbroker (02)47	Importer (08)41	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
June 2022	All types1,685	Dealer (01)1,258	Manufacturer (07)266	Ammunition manufacturer (06)53	Pawnbroker (02)47	Importer (08)41	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
May 2022	All types1,686	Dealer (01)1,258	Manufacturer (07)265	Ammunition manufacturer (06)54	Pawnbroker (02)49	Importer (08)40	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
April 2022	All typesNot available	Dealer (01)Not available	Manufacturer (07)Not available	Ammunition manufacturer (06)Not available	Pawnbroker (02)Not available	Importer (08)Not available	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Not available	Destructive-device importer (11)Not available	Destructive-device dealer (09)Not available
March 2022	All types1,683Sum of 8 reported license types	Dealer (01)1,265	Manufacturer (07)258	Ammunition manufacturer (06)53	Pawnbroker (02)49	Importer (08)37	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
February 2022	All types1,690	Dealer (01)1,270	Manufacturer (07)259	Ammunition manufacturer (06)54	Pawnbroker (02)49	Importer (08)37	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
January 2022	All types1,695	Dealer (01)1,276	Manufacturer (07)258	Ammunition manufacturer (06)54	Pawnbroker (02)49	Importer (08)37	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
December 2021	All types1,699	Dealer (01)1,285	Manufacturer (07)254	Ammunition manufacturer (06)53	Pawnbroker (02)49	Importer (08)37	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
November 2021	All types1,708	Dealer (01)1,293	Manufacturer (07)253	Ammunition manufacturer (06)53	Pawnbroker (02)50	Importer (08)38	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
October 2021	All types1,732	Dealer (01)1,319	Manufacturer (07)251	Ammunition manufacturer (06)54	Pawnbroker (02)50	Importer (08)37	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
September 2021	All types1,726	Dealer (01)1,322	Manufacturer (07)245	Ammunition manufacturer (06)53	Pawnbroker (02)50	Importer (08)35	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)6	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
August 2021	All types1,717	Dealer (01)1,319	Manufacturer (07)239	Ammunition manufacturer (06)53	Pawnbroker (02)50	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)7	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
July 2021	All types1,735	Dealer (01)1,337	Manufacturer (07)239	Ammunition manufacturer (06)53	Pawnbroker (02)50	Importer (08)34	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)11	Destructive-device importer (11)7	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
June 2021	All typesNot available	Dealer (01)Not available	Manufacturer (07)Not available	Ammunition manufacturer (06)Not available	Pawnbroker (02)Not available	Importer (08)Not available	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Not available	Destructive-device importer (11)Not available	Destructive-device dealer (09)Not available
May 2021	All types1,728Sum of 8 reported license types	Dealer (01)1,336	Manufacturer (07)236	Ammunition manufacturer (06)52	Pawnbroker (02)51	Importer (08)32	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10	Destructive-device importer (11)7	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
April 2021	All types1,757	Dealer (01)1,368	Manufacturer (07)234	Ammunition manufacturer (06)52	Pawnbroker (02)52	Importer (08)30	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10	Destructive-device importer (11)7	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
March 2021	All types1,759	Dealer (01)1,374	Manufacturer (07)232	Ammunition manufacturer (06)52	Pawnbroker (02)52	Importer (08)28	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10	Destructive-device importer (11)7	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
February 2021	All types1,783	Dealer (01)1,403	Manufacturer (07)228	Ammunition manufacturer (06)52	Pawnbroker (02)52	Importer (08)27	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10	Destructive-device importer (11)7	Destructive-device dealer (09)4
January 2021	All types1,793	Dealer (01)1,418	Manufacturer (07)225	Ammunition manufacturer (06)52	Pawnbroker (02)52	Importer (08)25	Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10	Destructive-device importer (11)7	Destructive-device dealer (09)4

Cite a figure from this section (9)

In August 2026, Illinois had 1,414 federal firearms license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In August 2026, Illinois had 987 dealer (type 01) license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings.Cite
In August 2026, Illinois had 295 manufacturer (type 07) license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings.Cite
In August 2026, Illinois had 44 ammunition manufacturer (type 06) license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings.Cite
In August 2026, Illinois had 38 pawnbroker (type 02) license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings.Cite
In August 2026, Illinois had 35 importer (type 08) license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings.Cite
In August 2026, Illinois had 7 destructive device manufacturer (type 10) license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings.Cite
In August 2026, Illinois had 6 destructive device importer (type 11) license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings.Cite
In August 2026, Illinois had 2 destructive device dealer (type 09) license records in ATF’s Federal Firearms Licensee listings.Cite

How many background checks does Illinois run?

The FBI’s background check system (NICS) logged 2,546,739 checks in Illinois in 2025, down 8.0% from 2024. Permit checks were 83.7% of them, and a permit check is not a purchase. From January through August 2026 the count was 1,856,352, against 1,792,845 a year earlier. [4]

FBI NICS background checks in Illinois per year, 1999–2025 checks

2025: 2,546,739 · 2024: 2,768,955 · 8.0% fewer

8,474,5058.47M8.47M

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, Illinois monthly counts added up by calendar year. A year is shown only when all twelve months are reported.

2,546,739firearm background checks in Illinois in 2025, 2,132,563 of them permit checksFBI NICS · 2025 · sum of 12 monthly totalsCite

What the checks were for, 2025

Permit recheck1,978,285 77.7%
Handgun272,940 10.7%
Permit154,278 6.1%
Long gun128,563 5.0%
Other firearm12,659 0.5%
Returned handgun11 <0.1%
All other types3 <0.1%

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, Illinois counts by type, 2025. The types add up to the year’s 2,546,739 checks.

Show every year and month

FBI NICS background checks in Illinois by year
Year	Checks
2025	Checks2,546,739
2024	Checks2,768,955
2023	Checks3,961,236
2022	Checks4,476,055
2021	Checks8,474,505
2020	Checks7,455,065
2019	Checks4,949,570
2018	Checks2,831,447
2017	Checks1,601,087
2016	Checks1,924,070
2015	Checks1,247,398
2014	Checks1,344,096

Earlier years, 1999–2013

FBI NICS background checks in Illinois by year, 1999–2013
Year	Checks
2013	Checks1,280,613
2012	Checks1,036,061
2011	Checks828,962
2010	Checks695,300
2009	Checks752,071
2008	Checks615,941
2007	Checks536,975
2006	Checks527,698
2005	Checks527,134
2004	Checks590,417
2003	Checks515,917
2002	Checks446,138
2001	Checks462,702
2000	Checks449,771
1999	Checks484,848

FBI NICS background checks in Illinois by month
Month	Checks
August 2026	Checks240,871
July 2026	Checks249,475
June 2026	Checks289,275
May 2026	Checks208,636
April 2026	Checks209,854
March 2026	Checks240,594
February 2026	Checks195,195
January 2026	Checks222,452
December 2025	Checks189,589
November 2025	Checks185,634
October 2025	Checks197,166
September 2025	Checks181,505
August 2025	Checks171,314
July 2025	Checks175,755
June 2025	Checks164,500
May 2025	Checks179,096
April 2025	Checks234,355
March 2025	Checks284,978
February 2025	Checks272,467
January 2025	Checks310,380
December 2024	Checks295,035
November 2024	Checks285,759
October 2024	Checks231,025
September 2024	Checks211,218

Earlier months, November 1998 – August 2024

FBI NICS background checks in Illinois by month, November 1998 – August 2024
Month	Checks
August 2024	Checks214,553
July 2024	Checks211,860
June 2024	Checks179,756
May 2024	Checks174,194
April 2024	Checks220,416
March 2024	Checks259,369
February 2024	Checks248,767
January 2024	Checks237,003
December 2023	Checks234,874
November 2023	Checks261,188
October 2023	Checks254,303
September 2023	Checks222,356
August 2023	Checks237,846
July 2023	Checks227,972
June 2023	Checks271,382
May 2023	Checks377,463
April 2023	Checks437,555
March 2023	Checks499,315
February 2023	Checks412,005
January 2023	Checks524,977
December 2022	Checks477,301
November 2022	Checks453,252
October 2022	Checks402,829
September 2022	Checks370,928
August 2022	Checks380,262
July 2022	Checks327,083
June 2022	Checks315,073
May 2022	Checks279,089
April 2022	Checks302,986
March 2022	Checks385,030
February 2022	Checks308,269
January 2022	Checks473,953
December 2021	Checks437,647
November 2021	Checks303,670
October 2021	Checks251,681
September 2021	Checks347,462
August 2021	Checks426,563
July 2021	Checks656,778
June 2021	Checks764,884
May 2021	Checks998,326
April 2021	Checks955,439
March 2021	Checks1,427,917
February 2021	Checks902,020
January 2021	Checks1,002,118
December 2020	Checks829,983
November 2020	Checks550,784
October 2020	Checks473,595
September 2020	Checks421,030
August 2020	Checks587,224
July 2020	Checks714,424
June 2020	Checks706,404
May 2020	Checks661,470
April 2020	Checks632,564
March 2020	Checks645,109
February 2020	Checks620,067
January 2020	Checks612,411
December 2019	Checks548,192
November 2019	Checks450,084
October 2019	Checks478,329
September 2019	Checks483,162
August 2019	Checks491,715
July 2019	Checks439,458
June 2019	Checks373,166
May 2019	Checks381,771
April 2019	Checks405,464
March 2019	Checks376,018
February 2019	Checks190,886
January 2019	Checks331,325
December 2018	Checks302,031
November 2018	Checks296,910
October 2018	Checks237,224
September 2018	Checks228,695
August 2018	Checks242,864
July 2018	Checks198,971
June 2018	Checks225,006
May 2018	Checks233,963
April 2018	Checks238,774
March 2018	Checks271,714
February 2018	Checks185,288
January 2018	Checks170,007
December 2017	Checks163,756
November 2017	Checks150,588
October 2017	Checks122,798
September 2017	Checks116,449
August 2017	Checks126,921
July 2017	Checks108,000
June 2017	Checks113,889
May 2017	Checks121,746
April 2017	Checks135,507
March 2017	Checks163,728
February 2017	Checks139,697
January 2017	Checks138,008
December 2016	Checks137,994
November 2016	Checks161,604
October 2016	Checks169,348
September 2016	Checks127,535
August 2016	Checks185,912
July 2016	Checks168,227
June 2016	Checks164,500
May 2016	Checks119,574
April 2016	Checks154,306
March 2016	Checks175,762
February 2016	Checks169,908
January 2016	Checks189,400
December 2015	Checks182,255
November 2015	Checks129,861
October 2015	Checks95,886
September 2015	Checks94,476
August 2015	Checks94,314
July 2015	Checks95,297
June 2015	Checks80,431
May 2015	Checks76,538
April 2015	Checks118,541
March 2015	Checks96,770
February 2015	Checks86,317
January 2015	Checks96,712
December 2014	Checks147,220
November 2014	Checks104,606
October 2014	Checks103,053
September 2014	Checks117,143
August 2014	Checks91,721
July 2014	Checks86,596
June 2014	Checks112,407
May 2014	Checks92,638
April 2014	Checks105,924
March 2014	Checks145,597
February 2014	Checks115,903
January 2014	Checks121,288
December 2013	Checks91,077
November 2013	Checks90,868
October 2013	Checks101,416
September 2013	Checks67,839
August 2013	Checks85,074
July 2013	Checks82,699
June 2013	Checks105,012
May 2013	Checks109,338
April 2013	Checks132,255
March 2013	Checks137,812
February 2013	Checks127,615
January 2013	Checks149,608
December 2012	Checks112,141
November 2012	Checks91,889
October 2012	Checks78,049
September 2012	Checks71,123
August 2012	Checks85,626
July 2012	Checks65,557
June 2012	Checks75,388
May 2012	Checks78,257
April 2012	Checks93,918
March 2012	Checks105,812
February 2012	Checks88,343
January 2012	Checks89,958
December 2011	Checks97,520
November 2011	Checks85,419
October 2011	Checks69,530
September 2011	Checks66,147
August 2011	Checks66,058
July 2011	Checks58,099
June 2011	Checks56,547
May 2011	Checks55,615
April 2011	Checks68,667
March 2011	Checks81,115
February 2011	Checks59,431
January 2011	Checks64,814
December 2010	Checks69,260
November 2010	Checks63,906
October 2010	Checks62,384
September 2010	Checks58,617
August 2010	Checks59,738
July 2010	Checks50,122
June 2010	Checks52,369
May 2010	Checks45,009
April 2010	Checks53,929
March 2010	Checks65,629
February 2010	Checks55,994
January 2010	Checks58,343
December 2009	Checks68,399
November 2009	Checks64,018
October 2009	Checks65,610
September 2009	Checks60,010
August 2009	Checks54,912
July 2009	Checks47,204
June 2009	Checks52,126
May 2009	Checks64,049
April 2009	Checks82,671
March 2009	Checks72,066
February 2009	Checks58,938
January 2009	Checks62,068
December 2008	Checks69,626
November 2008	Checks64,537
October 2008	Checks56,784
September 2008	Checks54,261
August 2008	Checks47,407
July 2008	Checks41,247
June 2008	Checks36,378
May 2008	Checks41,563
April 2008	Checks50,664
March 2008	Checks55,221
February 2008	Checks47,375
January 2008	Checks50,878
December 2007	Checks46,517
November 2007	Checks51,699
October 2007	Checks49,990
September 2007	Checks45,681
August 2007	Checks46,053
July 2007	Checks36,100
June 2007	Checks36,530
May 2007	Checks40,710
April 2007	Checks40,643
March 2007	Checks51,379
February 2007	Checks43,080
January 2007	Checks48,593
December 2006	Checks50,696
November 2006	Checks48,006
October 2006	Checks49,208
September 2006	Checks46,972
August 2006	Checks47,203
July 2006	Checks32,176
June 2006	Checks35,893
May 2006	Checks40,427
April 2006	Checks42,889
March 2006	Checks42,644
February 2006	Checks50,584
January 2006	Checks41,000
December 2005	Checks59,658
November 2005	Checks42,416
October 2005	Checks41,194
September 2005	Checks48,703
August 2005	Checks46,717
July 2005	Checks33,135
June 2005	Checks33,367
May 2005	Checks31,098
April 2005	Checks31,934
March 2005	Checks51,660
February 2005	Checks47,431
January 2005	Checks59,821
December 2004	Checks65,640
November 2004	Checks65,211
October 2004	Checks55,301
September 2004	Checks42,102
August 2004	Checks45,720
July 2004	Checks35,221
June 2004	Checks40,789
May 2004	Checks35,814
April 2004	Checks44,701
March 2004	Checks51,428
February 2004	Checks51,698
January 2004	Checks56,792
December 2003	Checks56,386
November 2003	Checks51,054
October 2003	Checks51,128
September 2003	Checks47,580
August 2003	Checks45,035
July 2003	Checks30,227
June 2003	Checks27,243
May 2003	Checks33,123
April 2003	Checks43,935
March 2003	Checks46,415
February 2003	Checks43,597
January 2003	Checks40,194
December 2002	Checks42,982
November 2002	Checks45,317
October 2002	Checks41,917
September 2002	Checks36,661
August 2002	Checks37,385
July 2002	Checks31,426
June 2002	Checks27,581
May 2002	Checks32,981
April 2002	Checks38,283
March 2002	Checks38,538
February 2002	Checks34,238
January 2002	Checks38,829
December 2001	Checks49,225
November 2001	Checks53,751
October 2001	Checks53,613
September 2001	Checks38,726
August 2001	Checks39,017
July 2001	Checks32,121
June 2001	Checks27,854
May 2001	Checks28,069
April 2001	Checks30,716
March 2001	Checks39,288
February 2001	Checks34,322
January 2001	Checks36,000
December 2000	Checks39,724
November 2000	Checks42,378
October 2000	Checks43,841
September 2000	Checks37,925
August 2000	Checks42,307
July 2000	Checks27,627
June 2000	Checks28,722
May 2000	Checks30,664
April 2000	Checks34,673
March 2000	Checks44,109
February 2000	Checks38,528
January 2000	Checks39,273
December 1999	Checks51,796
November 1999	Checks53,201
October 1999	Checks49,471
September 1999	Checks42,852
August 1999	Checks38,023
July 1999	Checks29,826
June 1999	Checks31,962
May 1999	Checks32,377
April 1999	Checks38,343
March 1999	Checks43,089
February 1999	Checks38,449
January 1999	Checks35,459
December 1998	Checks41,455
November 1998	Checks22Partial month: NICS began on November 30, 1998

Cite a figure from this section (14)

In 2025, the FBI reported 2,546,739 firearm background checks (NICS) for Illinois (USA Arms calculation). A check is not a sale.Cite
In 2025, the FBI reported 2,132,563 permit and permit-recheck checks (NICS) for Illinois (USA Arms calculation). A permit check is not a purchase.Cite
In 2024, the FBI reported 2,768,955 firearm background checks (NICS) for Illinois (USA Arms calculation). A check is not a sale.Cite
In August 2026, the FBI reported 240,871 firearm background checks (NICS) for Illinois. A check is not a sale.Cite
In August 2025, the FBI reported 171,314 firearm background checks (NICS) for Illinois. A check is not a sale.Cite
From January 2026 through August 2026, the FBI reported 1,856,352 firearm background checks (NICS) for Illinois (USA Arms calculation). A check is not a sale.Cite
From January 2025 through August 2025, the FBI reported 1,792,845 firearm background checks (NICS) for Illinois (USA Arms calculation). A check is not a sale.Cite
In 2025, the FBI reported 1,978,285 permit recheck background checks (NICS) for Illinois. A check is not a sale.Cite
In 2025, the FBI reported 272,940 handgun background checks (NICS) for Illinois. A check is not a sale.Cite
In 2025, the FBI reported 154,278 permit background checks (NICS) for Illinois. A check is not a sale.Cite
In 2025, the FBI reported 128,563 long gun background checks (NICS) for Illinois. A check is not a sale.Cite
In 2025, the FBI reported 12,659 other-firearm background checks (NICS) for Illinois. A check is not a sale.Cite
In 2025, the FBI reported 11 returned handgun background checks (NICS) for Illinois. A check is not a sale.Cite
In 2025, the FBI reported 3 background checks (NICS) of other types for Illinois (USA Arms calculation). A check is not a sale.Cite

What does Illinois export?

Firearm and ammunition exports that started their trip in Illinois came to $130.8 million in 2025, across 5 product groups. Cartridges and parts were 82.8% of that. [7]

Firearm and ammunition exports from Illinois, 2010–2025 current dollars

2025: $130,764,664 · 2024: $95,501,793 · 36.9% more

$157.6 million$157.6M$157.6M

Source: Census international trade, exports by the state where they start their trip to the border, which is not always where they were made. USA Arms adds up the product groups Census reported each year, and the groups can differ from year to year.

By product, 2025

Cartridges and parts$108,240,080
Shotgun shells and parts$14,995,062
Pistols and revolvers$5,431,063
Rifles$1,976,181
Shotguns and combination guns$122,278

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Illinois, 2025. USA Arms adds up each product’s twelve months; a product Census did not report every month is left out. Monthly values by product and country through December 2025 are in Census trade data.

Where the exports went, 2025

Kuwait$25,063,405
Israel$22,002,480
United Kingdom$20,212,050
Australia$16,787,507
Canada$16,367,777
Belgium$7,865,930
Denmark$5,768,265
Poland$2,241,911

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Illinois, 2025. USA Arms adds up every month and product group Census reported for each destination; 48 destinations in all, the largest 8 shown. A destination is where the goods were bound, not always where they were used.

Show all 16 years

Firearm and ammunition exports from Illinois, product groups added up by USA Arms
Year	Exports
2025	Exports$130,764,6645 product families
2024	Exports$95,501,7934 product families
2023	Exports$97,690,3896 product families
2022	Exports$90,592,6694 product families
2021	Exports$157,553,4495 product families
2020	Exports$47,539,5754 product families
2019	Exports$70,965,7636 product families
2018	Exports$50,649,7167 product families
2017	Exports$60,064,2355 product families
2016	Exports$70,407,985
2015	Exports$78,770,205
2014	Exports$76,689,8837 product families

Earlier years, 2010–2013

Firearm and ammunition exports from Illinois, product groups added up by USA Arms, 2010–2013
Year	Exports
2013	Exports$50,314,4826 product families
2012	Exports$58,970,7075 product families
2011	Exports$64,138,7486 product families
2010	Exports$63,588,0655 product families

Cite a figure from this section (14)

In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois came to $130,764,664, the sum of the product groups Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, Census reported $108,240,080 of cartridges and parts (HS 9306.30) exported from Illinois, counted in the state where the shipment began its trip to the border (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, Census reported $14,995,062 of shotgun shells and parts (HS 9306.21) exported from Illinois, counted in the state where the shipment began its trip to the border (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, Census reported $5,431,063 of pistols and revolvers (HS 9302.00) exported from Illinois, counted in the state where the shipment began its trip to the border (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, Census reported $1,976,181 of rifles (HS 9303.30) exported from Illinois, counted in the state where the shipment began its trip to the border (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, Census reported $122,278 of shotguns and combination guns (HS 9303.20) exported from Illinois, counted in the state where the shipment began its trip to the border (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois and went to Kuwait came to $25,063,405, the sum of every month and product group Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois and went to Israel came to $22,002,480, the sum of every month and product group Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois and went to United Kingdom came to $20,212,050, the sum of every month and product group Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois and went to Australia came to $16,787,507, the sum of every month and product group Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois and went to Canada came to $16,367,777, the sum of every month and product group Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois and went to Belgium came to $7,865,930, the sum of every month and product group Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois and went to Denmark came to $5,768,265, the sum of every month and product group Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite
In 2025, firearm and ammunition exports that began their trip to the border in Illinois and went to Poland came to $2,241,911, the sum of every month and product group Census reported (USA Arms calculation).Cite

How many hunting licenses does Illinois certify?

Illinois certified 282,380 paid hunting-license holders for license year 2024. Hunters bought 1,346,506 resident and 152,055 nonresident licenses, for $35,009,488 in all. A holder is one certification, not one person: someone licensed in two states counts in each. [3]

Paid hunting-license holders in Illinois, 1956–2024 license holders

2024: 282,380 · 2023: 281,301 · 0.4% more

282,380512,8601956516,7231974282,380512,8601956516,7231974282,380512,8601956516,7231974

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) hunting license counts, Illinois, by license year.

282,380paid hunting-license holders Illinois certified for license year 2024; the high was 516,723 in 1974USFWS certifications · 2024 · IllinoisCite

Where are hunting licenses most common?Illinois’s license holders per 100 residents, its rank and its nonresident share

Show all 69 years

Hunting licenses certified by Illinois
Year	Paid license holders	Resident licenses	Nonresident licenses	Gross cost
2024	Paid license holders282,380	Resident licenses1,346,506	Nonresident licenses152,055	Gross cost$35,009,488
2023	Paid license holders281,301	Resident licenses1,380,834	Nonresident licenses149,790	Gross cost$33,691,953
2022	Paid license holders287,438	Resident licenses1,332,428	Nonresident licenses91,817	Gross cost$31,104,023
2021	Paid license holders289,922	Resident licenses1,398,692	Nonresident licenses90,663	Gross cost$32,422,324
2020	Paid license holders276,515	Resident licenses1,329,706	Nonresident licenses83,954	Gross cost$30,395,758
2019	Paid license holders293,617	Resident licenses1,286,280	Nonresident licenses81,944	Gross cost$29,822,755
2018	Paid license holders297,243	Resident licenses1,352,722	Nonresident licenses85,013	Gross cost$31,024,125
2017	Paid license holders299,614	Resident licenses1,172,506	Nonresident licenses78,414	Gross cost$30,483,565
2016	Paid license holders306,024	Resident licenses1,203,507	Nonresident licenses83,025	Gross cost$31,945,215
2015	Paid license holders314,135	Resident licenses1,249,033	Nonresident licenses123,005	Gross cost$32,074,624
2014	Paid license holders319,588	Resident licenses1,434,829	Nonresident licenses128,880	Gross cost$33,839,806
2013	Paid license holders320,765	Resident licenses1,310,395	Nonresident licenses130,598	Gross costWithheld

Earlier years, 1956–2012

Hunting licenses certified by Illinois, 1956–2012
Year	Paid license holders	Resident licenses	Nonresident licenses	Gross cost
2012	Paid license holders321,858	Resident licenses1,305,206	Nonresident licenses131,473	Gross costWithheld
2011	Paid license holders321,739	Resident licenses1,313,039	Nonresident licenses135,737	Gross costWithheld
2010	Paid license holders328,995	Resident licenses1,353,577	Nonresident licenses136,316	Gross costWithheld
2009	Paid license holders333,061	Resident licenses1,379,647	Nonresident licenses140,615	Gross costWithheld
2008	Paid license holders301,688	Resident licenses1,337,971	Nonresident licenses129,887	Gross costWithheld
2007	Paid license holders328,975	Resident licenses1,313,394	Nonresident licenses117,739	Gross costWithheld
2006	Paid license holders328,975	Resident licenses1,313,394	Nonresident licenses117,739	Gross costWithheld
2005	Paid license holders336,203	Resident licenses1,211,238	Nonresident licenses68,476	Gross costWithheld
2004	Paid license holders330,360	Resident licenses1,163,565	Nonresident licenses58,367	Gross costWithheld
2003	Paid license holders293,994	Resident licenses1,057,549	Nonresident licenses44,510	Gross costWithheld
2002	Paid license holders300,883	Resident licenses1,115,583	Nonresident licenses43,859	Gross costWithheld
2001	Paid license holders293,994	Resident licenses1,057,549	Nonresident licenses44,510	Gross costWithheld
2000	Paid license holders300,883	Resident licenses1,115,583	Nonresident licenses43,859	Gross cost$14,403,458
1999	Paid license holders297,641	Resident licenses1,090,950	Nonresident licenses41,470	Gross cost$13,795,263
1998	Paid license holders310,062	Resident licenses835,725	Nonresident licenses41,090	Gross cost$11,367,854
1997	Paid license holders308,662	Resident licenses835,725	Nonresident licenses41,090	Gross cost$11,367,854
1996	Paid license holders305,663	Resident licenses1,116,709	Nonresident licenses35,135	Gross cost$12,624,633
1995	Paid license holders320,657	Resident licenses1,194,577	Nonresident licenses48,626	Gross cost$12,311,251
1994	Paid license holders328,278	Resident licenses1,211,719	Nonresident licenses40,710	Gross cost$12,732,556
1993	Paid license holders324,794	Resident licenses1,145,072	Nonresident licenses31,878	Gross cost$11,615,120
1992	Paid license holders323,991	Resident licenses1,292,440	Nonresident licenses16,797	Gross cost$10,238,096
1991	Paid license holders323,271	Resident licenses916,215	Nonresident licenses14,723	Gross cost$9,411,229
1990	Paid license holders326,194	Resident licenses948,465	Nonresident licenses14,509	Gross cost$9,355,613
1989	Paid license holders342,893	Resident licenses814,910	Nonresident licenses13,636	Gross cost$7,561,442
1988	Paid license holders329,734	Resident licenses643,587	Nonresident licenses12,937	Gross cost$6,360,386
1987	Paid license holders333,473	Resident licenses630,467	Nonresident licenses11,421	Gross cost$6,163,781
1986	Paid license holders328,369	Resident licenses604,937	Nonresident licenses11,973	Gross cost$5,547,227
1985	Paid license holders320,682	Resident licenses559,074	Nonresident licenses10,325	Gross cost$4,984,339
1984	Paid license holders314,891	Resident licenses545,929	Nonresident licenses8,525	Gross cost$4,900,895
1983	Paid license holders325,142	Resident licenses547,657	Nonresident licenses8,040	Gross cost$4,893,046
1982	Paid license holders332,877	Resident licenses559,663	Nonresident licenses9,183	Gross cost$4,936,474
1981	Paid license holders329,240	Resident licenses554,370	Nonresident licenses8,960	Gross cost$4,926,277
1980	Paid license holders351,225	Resident licenses546,038	Nonresident licenses9,767	Gross cost$4,695,100
1979	Paid license holders334,512	Resident licenses529,261	Nonresident licenses8,017	Gross cost$4,571,325
1978	Paid license holders353,449	Resident licenses525,514	Nonresident licenses9,510	Gross cost$4,746,372
1977	Paid license holders408,873	Resident licenses593,805	Nonresident licenses10,012	Gross cost$3,076,576
1976	Paid license holders422,579	Resident licenses412,159	Nonresident licenses10,420	Gross cost$1,481,665
1975	Paid license holders486,353	Resident licenses474,820	Nonresident licenses11,533	Gross cost$1,704,287
1974	Paid license holders516,723	Resident licenses503,155	Nonresident licenses13,568	Gross cost$1,830,083
1973	Paid license holders463,296	Resident licenses452,676	Nonresident licenses10,620	Gross cost$1,622,272
1972	Paid license holders493,792	Resident licenses480,650	Nonresident licenses13,142	Gross cost$1,745,275
1971	Paid license holders478,956	Resident licenses466,338	Nonresident licenses12,618	Gross cost$1,691,682
1970	Paid license holders480,190	Resident licenses468,155	Nonresident licenses12,035	Gross cost$1,725,152
1969	Paid license holders455,931	Resident licenses445,027	Nonresident licenses10,904	Gross cost$1,633,815
1968	Paid license holders438,088	Resident licenses428,198	Nonresident licenses9,890	Gross cost$1,559,980
1967	Paid license holders406,660	Resident licenses397,743	Nonresident licenses8,917	Gross cost$1,434,884
1966	Paid license holders491,725	Resident licenses484,501	Nonresident licenses7,224	Gross cost$1,691,178
1965	Paid license holders478,027	Resident licenses470,980	Nonresident licenses7,047	Gross cost$1,636,419
1964	Paid license holders459,105	Resident licenses452,478	Nonresident licenses6,627	Gross cost$1,569,100
1963	Paid license holders481,770	Resident licenses475,375	Nonresident licenses6,395	Gross cost$1,641,955
1962	Paid license holders490,043	Resident licensesWithheld	Nonresident licensesWithheld	Gross costWithheld
1961	Paid license holders479,856	Resident licensesWithheld	Nonresident licensesWithheld	Gross costWithheld
1960	Paid license holders468,586	Resident licensesWithheld	Nonresident licensesWithheld	Gross costWithheld
1959	Paid license holders476,613	Resident licensesWithheld	Nonresident licensesWithheld	Gross costWithheld
1958	Paid license holders496,696	Resident licensesWithheld	Nonresident licensesWithheld	Gross costWithheld
1957	Paid license holders507,737	Resident licensesWithheld	Nonresident licensesWithheld	Gross costWithheld
1956	Paid license holders512,860	Resident licensesWithheld	Nonresident licensesWithheld	Gross costWithheld

Cite a figure from this section (5)

For license year 2024, Illinois certified 282,380 paid hunting-license holders to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Cite
For license year 1974, Illinois certified 516,723 paid hunting-license holders to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Cite
For license year 2024, Illinois certified 1,346,506 resident hunting licenses to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Cite
For license year 2024, Illinois certified 152,055 nonresident hunting licenses to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Cite
For license year 2024, hunters paid $35,009,488 for the hunting licenses Illinois certified to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.Cite

How much conservation money does Illinois receive?

Wildlife Restoration apportioned $16,595,276 to Illinois for fiscal 2026, 7.2% less than fiscal 2025. The record was $23,822,949 in fiscal 2023. The money comes from federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery gear. [3]

Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Illinois, FY 1939–FY 2026 current dollars

FY 2026: $16,595,276 · FY 2025: $17,882,670 · 7.2% less

$23.8 millionFY 2023$23.8MFY 2023$23.8MFY 2023

Source: USFWS, Illinois, including hunter education money. Not adjusted for inflation.

$16,595,276apportioned to Illinois for fiscal 2026 through Wildlife Restoration, including hunter education; the high was $23,822,949 for fiscal 2023USFWS · FY 2026 · IllinoisCite

Show all 88 fiscal years

Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Illinois
Fiscal year	Apportioned
FY 2026	Apportioned$16,595,276
FY 2025	Apportioned$17,882,670
FY 2024	Apportioned$19,518,311
FY 2023	Apportioned$23,822,949
FY 2022	Apportioned$22,246,522
FY 2021	Apportioned$13,882,379
FY 2020	Apportioned$12,392,851
FY 2019	Apportioned$13,732,772
FY 2018	Apportioned$16,335,080
FY 2017	Apportioned$16,115,520
FY 2016	Apportioned$14,452,361
FY 2015	Apportioned$16,981,518

Earlier fiscal years, FY 1939–FY 2014

Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Illinois, FY 1939–FY 2014
Fiscal year	Apportioned
FY 2014	Apportioned$16,112,487
FY 2013	Apportioned$11,180,042
FY 2012	Apportioned$7,973,254
FY 2011	Apportioned$8,262,303
FY 2010	Apportioned$9,809,089
FY 2009	Apportioned$7,254,248
FY 2008	Apportioned$6,665,600
FY 2007	Apportioned$5,778,662
FY 2006	Apportioned$5,018,151
FY 2005	Apportioned$4,857,279
FY 2004	Apportioned$4,139,926
FY 2003	Apportioned$4,400,997
FY 2002	Apportioned$3,891,429
FY 2001	Apportioned$4,176,153
FY 2000	Apportioned$3,923,826
FY 1999	Apportioned$3,442,045
FY 1998	Apportioned$3,265,326
FY 1997	Apportioned$3,462,969
FY 1996	Apportioned$4,290,178
FY 1995	Apportioned$4,391,567
FY 1994	Apportioned$3,821,004
FY 1993	Apportioned$3,366,603
FY 1992	Apportioned$3,144,388
FY 1991	Apportioned$3,339,279
FY 1990	Apportioned$2,428,910
FY 1989	Apportioned$2,443,057
FY 1988	Apportioned$2,217,781
FY 1987	Apportioned$2,229,956
FY 1986	Apportioned$2,175,015
FY 1985	Apportioned$1,614,668
FY 1984	Apportioned$1,832,358
FY 1983	Apportioned$2,179,659
FY 1982	Apportioned$2,416,884
FY 1981	Apportioned$1,840,477
FY 1980	Apportioned$1,973,590
FY 1979	Apportioned$1,963,165
FY 1978	Apportioned$1,545,762
FY 1977	Apportioned$1,934,969
FY 1976	Apportioned$1,385,191
FY 1975	Apportioned$1,278,517
FY 1974	Apportioned$1,143,704
FY 1973	Apportioned$941,430
FY 1972	Apportioned$792,863
FY 1971	Apportioned$660,884
FY 1970	Apportioned$771,745
FY 1969	Apportioned$732,246
FY 1968	Apportioned$627,457
FY 1967	Apportioned$578,436
FY 1966	Apportioned$481,463
FY 1965	Apportioned$415,203
FY 1964	Apportioned$427,040
FY 1963	Apportioned$335,384
FY 1962	Apportioned$346,453
FY 1961	Apportioned$364,985
FY 1960	Apportioned$394,057
FY 1959	Apportioned$456,468
FY 1958	Apportioned$466,352
FY 1957	Apportioned$446,688
FY 1956	Apportioned$400,439
FY 1955	Apportioned$265,766
FY 1954	Apportioned$323,304
FY 1953	Apportioned$289,590
FY 1952	Apportioned$501,827
FY 1951	Apportioned$237,398
FY 1950	Apportioned$270,192
FY 1949	Apportioned$290,102
FY 1948	Apportioned$212,641
FY 1947	Apportioned$62,430
FY 1946	Apportioned$23,819
FY 1945	Apportioned$23,673
FY 1944	Apportioned$26,862
FY 1943	Apportioned$34,021
FY 1942	Apportioned$78,082
FY 1941	Apportioned$67,007
FY 1940	Apportioned$41,119
FY 1939	Apportioned$26,140

Cite a figure from this section (2)

For fiscal year 2026, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service apportioned $16,595,276 to Illinois through Wildlife Restoration and Hunter Education.Cite
For fiscal year 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service apportioned $17,882,670 to Illinois through Wildlife Restoration and Hunter Education.Cite

How does Illinois compare?

Illinois ranks 13th for firearms made, 24th for license records, 22nd for hunting license holders and 22nd for Wildlife Restoration money. Pick a measure to see every state, or see all fifty states compared on the U.S. page.

Under 3.32K
3.32K to 18.1K
18.1K to 88.2K
88.2K to 350K
350K and up

Under 646
646 to 1.18K
1.18K to 1.49K
1.49K to 2.03K
2.03K and up

Under 123
123 to 299
299 to 765
765 to 1.17K
1.17K and up
Not published

Under 0.27
0.27 to 0.52
0.52 to 1.60
1.60 to 3.58
3.58 and up
Not published

Under 111K
111K to 251K
251K to 301K
301K to 522K
522K and up

Under $9.83M
$9.83M to $14.4M
$14.4M to $17.5M
$17.5M to $23.1M
$23.1M and up

Map and table: firearms the state’s plants reported to ATF, calendar year 2024. Darker means higher.

Map and table: federal firearms license records on ATF’s Aug 2026 list, all listed types. Darker means higher.

Map and table: private small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing jobs, 2025 annual average. Darker means higher.

Map and table: the share of the state’s private jobs in small arms manufacturing, against the U.S. share, 2025; 1.00 means the same share. Darker means higher.

Map and table: paid hunting-license holders the state certified for license year 2024. Darker means higher.

Map and table: Wildlife Restoration and hunter education money apportioned for fiscal 2026. Darker means higher.

Every state and measure
Rank	State	Firearms made, 2024	License records, Aug 2026	Small arms jobs, 2025	Job concentration, 2025	Hunting license holders, 2024	Wildlife Restoration, FY 2026
1	New Hampshire	1,381,922	602	1,697	15.40	59,947	$5,027,605
2	Tennessee	1,164,239	1,990	1,171	2.24	734,342	$24,236,720
3	Georgia	796,857	2,425	1,250	1.60	815,738	$27,695,024
4	South Carolina	764,904	1,494	765	2.06	199,114	$11,071,422
5	Texas	665,832	8,343	1,120	0.50	1,117,858	$38,857,809
6	North Carolina	656,267	3,058	1,020	1.29	581,521	$22,308,487
7	Kentucky	613,225	1,442	944	2.97	315,758	$13,967,424
8	Arizona	549,989	2,580	2,234	4.32	303,298	$23,118,473
9	Massachusetts	479,681	589	Not published	Not published	60,377	$8,289,959
10	Florida	350,157	4,558	828	0.52	265,018	$16,437,305
11	Connecticut	225,530	659	1,246	4.60	25,903	$6,023,949
12	New Jersey	222,163	380	Not published	Not published	67,305	$8,289,959
13	Illinois	213,446	1,414	Not published	Not published	282,380	$16,595,276
14	Wisconsin	205,110	1,775	1,017	2.16	652,399	$23,485,531
15	Washington	176,745	1,165	482	0.84	163,801	$15,447,463
16	Alabama	150,180	1,479	Not published	Not published	497,063	$19,216,281
17	Nevada	146,524	859	249	0.99	111,210	$15,610,455
18	Utah	135,209	1,370	700	2.51	282,841	$16,350,555
19	Pennsylvania	95,610	3,237	1,197	1.24	1,031,218	$30,594,626
20	New York	88,165	1,816	299	0.19	533,479	$20,933,144
21	Missouri	55,139	2,437	238	0.51	521,787	$22,441,430
22	Ohio	53,895	2,785	237	0.27	359,811	$16,569,111
23	Arkansas	50,803	1,500	810	3.88	331,401	$14,014,316
24	California	49,971	2,030	486	0.17	251,590	$26,821,647
25	Idaho	42,677	1,341	352	2.52	300,759	$16,597,136
26	Vermont	28,628	340	Not published	Not published	55,171	$5,027,605
27	Minnesota	26,032	1,552	1,685	3.58	527,774	$23,819,471
28	Michigan	23,914	2,436	35	0.05	632,144	$23,914,949
29	Iowa	23,190	1,456	71	0.28	222,692	$12,112,654
30	Indiana	18,136	1,731	261	0.51	252,645	$13,857,865
31	Wyoming	12,946	824	367	8.13	118,896	$14,427,611
32	Oregon	12,872	1,379	Not published	Not published	330,416	$20,075,259
33	Virginia	11,959	1,994	221	0.33	251,350	$14,312,936
34	Maryland	10,756	792	123	0.28	111,027	$7,898,984
35	Montana	10,377	1,184	314	3.83	233,193	$21,957,263
36	Kansas	8,881	1,206	53	0.23	282,124	$16,080,090
37	Oklahoma	6,011	1,704	Not published	Not published	356,283	$17,533,166
38	Louisiana	4,794	1,288	Not published	Not published	451,343	$17,626,642
39	Nebraska	4,188	804	Not published	Not published	266,748	$15,218,471
40	West Virginia	3,323	943	26	0.23	278,193	$9,827,675
41	New Mexico	2,744	689	28	0.20	160,081	$17,768,168
42	Colorado	2,313	1,679	279	0.60	378,763	$22,930,115
43	South Dakota	1,896	646	80	1.09	222,875	$14,329,482
44	North Dakota	1,659	543	Not published	Not published	148,512	$12,140,115
45	Mississippi	1,038	1,053	Not published	Not published	271,751	$12,204,415
46	Maine	735	547	Not published	Not published	208,206	$9,376,640
47	Hawaii	298	105	Not published	Not published	15,296	$5,027,605
48	Rhode Island	103	115	Not published	Not published	7,378	$5,027,605
49	Alaska	102	562	Not published	Not published	87,159	$35,595,455
50	Delaware	41	135	Not published	Not published	15,399	$5,027,605

Ranks count only states with a published value. A state without one is listed last, never as zero. Background checks are left out: state permit rules change how many checks a state runs, and a check is not a sale. Sources: ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report, ATF Federal Firearms Listings, BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, USFWS Wildlife Restoration and hunting licenses.

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[1] ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reportcalendar years 2004–2024www.atf.gov
[2] ATF Federal Firearms Listingsmonthly lists by license type, January 2021 – August 2026www.atf.gov
[3] USFWS Wildlife Restoration apportionments and hunting-license certificationshunting licenses, license years 1956–2024; apportionments, fiscal years 1939–2026www.fws.gov
[4] FBI NICS firearm checksmonthly state counts, November 1998 – August 2026; checks by type, 2025www.fbi.gov
[5] BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wagesprivate employers by industry, 2001–2025www.bls.gov
[6] Census Bureau, Economic Census2022 Economic Census, Illinoiswww.census.gov
[7] Census international tradeIllinois-origin exports by product, 2025; monthly values through December 2025www.census.gov

Each figure keeps the period its source uses: calendar years, federal fiscal years (ending September 30), license years or months. Withheld and unpublished values are labeled, never shown as zero. Partial years are labeled, never stretched to a full year. Totals that USA Arms added up say so. Found something wrong? Submit a correction.