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Kentucky firearms statistics

How many guns Kentucky 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 Kentucky compares · U.S. statistics · Kentucky directory

  1. 613,225firearms made in Kentucky in 2024, 7th of 50 states and 6.4% of U.S. productionATF · 2024
  2. 1,442federal firearms license records, 23rd of 50 statesATF · Aug 2026
  3. 315,758paid hunting-license holders, 18th of 50 statesUSFWS · license year 2024
  4. 2,522,704FBI background checks in 2025, 89.5% of them for permits. A check is not a saleFBI · 2025, 12 months
  5. 944private jobs making small arms in 2025, paying $116,248 on averageBLS · 2025
  6. $13,967,424Wildlife Restoration apportionment for fiscal 2026, 34th of 50 statesUSFWS · FY 2026
  7. $5.8 millionof firearms and ammunition exported from Kentucky in 2025, all in one product groupCensus · 2025, 12 months

How many guns are made in Kentucky?

Plants in Kentucky reported making 613,225 firearms in 2024, up 80.8% from 2023. That is 6.4% of U.S. production, 7th among the states. The high was 648,735 in 2015. [1] See gun manufacturers in Kentucky for the makers listed in our directory.

Firearms manufactured in Kentucky, 2004–2024 firearms

  • Hatched: withheld

2024: 613,225 · 2023: 339,165 · 80.8% more

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

  • 613,225firearms reported by plants in Kentucky for 2024, 6.4% of U.S. production; 339,165 for 2023ATF AFMER · calendar year 2024 · KentuckyCite

What Kentucky makes

Rifles were 11.8% of Kentucky production in 2024.

  1. Rifles72,539 11.8%
  2. Pistols4,360 0.7%
  3. Shotguns104 <0.1%
  4. Revolvers35 <0.1%

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

Largest filings in Kentucky, 2024

Each row is one plant’s ATF filing. Names appear as filed and are not yet matched to manufacturer pages. Kentucky had 56 filings in 2024.

Largest filings, 2024
#FilingPlant cityFirearms, 2024Share of Kentucky
1WM C Anderson Inc.Hebron · 99.8%Hebron611,87799.8%
2J & T Munitions Inc.Winchester · <0.1%Winchester249<0.1%
3Custom Shooting Technologies Inc.Bagdad · <0.1%Bagdad166<0.1%
4Superior Gunworx LLCLeitchfield · <0.1%Leitchfield144<0.1%
5D-K Production Group LLCMill Springs · <0.1%Mill Springs122<0.1%
6Impact Armory & Service LLCLexington · <0.1%Lexington84<0.1%
7Thoroughbred Armament Company LLCFlatwoods · <0.1%Flatwoods79<0.1%
8Mize Machine Inc.Hopkinsville · <0.1%Hopkinsville77<0.1%
9Individual licenseeLouisville · <0.1%Louisville49<0.1%
10RDS Shooter Support LLCWinchester · <0.1%Winchester34<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

Lexington has the most filings (6), and Hebron reported the most firearms.

  1. Hebron611,877 1 filing
  2. Winchester283 2 filings
  3. Bagdad166 1 filing
  4. Leitchfield144 1 filing
  5. Lexington129 6 filings
  6. Mill Springs122 1 filing
  7. Hopkinsville90 3 filings
  8. Flatwoods79 1 filing

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

Show all 21 years
Firearms made in Kentucky, in all and by type
YearFirearms madeRiflesPistolsShotgunsRevolvers
2024Firearms made613,225Rifles72,539Sum of 56 filingsPistols4,360Sum of 56 filingsShotguns104Sum of 56 filingsRevolvers35Sum of 56 filings
2023Firearms made339,165Rifles28,387Sum of 47 filingsPistols1,342Sum of 47 filingsShotguns24Sum of 47 filingsRevolvers34Sum of 47 filings
2022Firearms madeWithheldRiflesNot reportedPistolsNot reportedShotgunsNot reportedRevolversNot reported
2021Firearms made510,679Rifles34,833Sum of 39 filingsPistols1,729Sum of 39 filingsShotguns27Sum of 39 filingsRevolvers31Sum of 39 filings
2020Firearms made466,790Rifles25,409Sum of 33 filingsPistols622Sum of 33 filingsShotguns42Sum of 33 filingsRevolvers36Sum of 33 filings
2019Firearms made347,480Rifles3,706Sum of 30 filingsPistols195Sum of 30 filingsShotguns6Sum of 30 filingsRevolvers34Sum of 30 filings
2018Firearms made336,926Rifles13,716Sum of 24 filingsPistols78Sum of 24 filingsShotguns1Sum of 24 filingsRevolvers22Sum of 24 filings
2017Firearms made216,330Rifles3,067Sum of 23 filingsPistols1,542Sum of 23 filingsShotguns0Sum of 23 filingsRevolvers15Sum of 23 filings
2016Firearms made460,181Rifles454,881Sum of 25 filingsPistols3,748Sum of 25 filingsShotguns0Sum of 25 filingsRevolvers10Sum of 25 filings
2015Firearms made648,735Rifles647,758Sum of 30 filingsPistols90Sum of 30 filingsShotguns3Sum of 30 filingsRevolvers15Sum of 30 filings
2014Firearms made492,480Rifles491,870Sum of 26 filingsPistols96Sum of 26 filingsShotguns0Sum of 26 filingsRevolvers2Sum of 26 filings
2013Firearms made493,086Rifles485,284Sum of 23 filingsPistols36Sum of 23 filingsShotguns6Sum of 23 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 23 filings
Earlier years, 2004–2012
Firearms made in Kentucky, in all and by type, 2004–2012
YearFirearms madeRiflesPistolsShotgunsRevolvers
2012Firearms made406,518Rifles400,291Sum of 25 filingsPistols148Sum of 25 filingsShotguns2Sum of 25 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 25 filings
2011Firearms made333,918Rifles331,264Sum of 22 filingsPistols181Sum of 22 filingsShotguns0Sum of 22 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 22 filings
2010Firearms made185,676Rifles182,771Sum of 15 filingsPistols128Sum of 15 filingsShotguns0Sum of 15 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 15 filings
2009Firearms made152,763Rifles140,387Sum of 11 filingsPistols160Sum of 11 filingsShotguns0Sum of 11 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 11 filings
2008Firearms made145,988Rifles144,613Sum of 8 filingsPistols843Sum of 8 filingsShotguns1Sum of 8 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 8 filings
2007Firearms made130,082Rifles129,510Sum of 9 filingsPistols363Sum of 9 filingsShotguns2Sum of 9 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 9 filings
2006Firearms made136,664Rifles136,276Sum of 6 filingsPistols366Sum of 6 filingsShotguns0Sum of 6 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 6 filings
2005Firearms made116,746Rifles115,997Pistols365Shotguns0Revolvers0
2004Firearms made104,859Rifles104,534Sum of 5 filingsPistols325Sum of 5 filingsShotguns0Sum of 5 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 5 filings
Cite a figure from this section (24)

How many people make firearms in Kentucky?

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories makers (industry code NAICS 332994) in Kentucky had 944 jobs at 24 establishments in 2025. Average pay was $116,248 a year. Jobs were highest in 2022, at 1,056, the first year BLS counted other ordnance makers too. [5]

Private employment in small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing, Kentucky, 2001–2025 jobs, annual average

2025: 944 · 2024: 970 · 2.7% fewer

Source: BLS county and state jobs counts (QCEW), Kentucky, 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.

  • 944private jobs making small arms, ordnance and accessories in Kentucky at 24 establishments, paying $116,248 on averageBLS QCEW · 2025 annual average · KentuckyCite
  • 2.97job concentration (location quotient): small arms manufacturing is 3.0 times as large a share of Kentucky jobs as of U.S. jobsBLS QCEW · 2025 · NAICS 332994Cite

Counties with the most small arms plants, 2025

  1. Boone County4 establishments
  2. Jefferson County4 establishments
  3. Madison County2 establishments
  4. Calloway County2 establishments
  5. Boyd County1 establishment
  6. Grant County1 establishment
  7. Kenton County1 establishment
  8. Shelby 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
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)Ammunition (332992)
JobsSmall arms (332994)944Ammunition (332992)Not published
Average annual paySmall arms (332994)$116,248Ammunition (332992)Not published
Total wagesSmall arms (332994)$109,709,128Ammunition (332992)Not published
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)24Ammunition (332992)1

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

Establishments, shipments and payroll, 2022 Economic Census
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)8
EmployeesSmall arms (332994)728
Value of shipmentsSmall arms (332994)Withheld
Value addedSmall arms (332994)Withheld
Annual payrollSmall arms (332994)Withheld

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

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs by year, Kentucky
YearJobs
2025Jobs944
2024Jobs970
2023Jobs1,019
2022Jobs1,056
2021Jobs1,124
2020Jobs988
2019Jobs900
2018JobsNot published
2017JobsNot published
2016Jobs582
2015Jobs588
2014Jobs624
Earlier years, 2001–2013
Private small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs by year, Kentucky, 2001–2013
YearJobs
2013Jobs659
2012JobsNot published
2011JobsNot published
2010JobsNot published
2009JobsNot published
2008JobsNot published
2007Jobs17
2006Jobs19
2005Jobs28
2004Jobs28
2003Jobs82
2002Jobs79
2001Jobs76
Cite a figure from this section (14)

How many federal firearms licenses are there in Kentucky?

ATF’s August 2026 list holds 1,442 license records in Kentucky, 35 fewer than a year earlier. Of those, 811 are dealers and 333 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 Kentucky.

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

  • Dealers (type 01)
  • Manufacturers (type 07)

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.

  • 1,442federal firearms license records on the August 2026 list, all 7 listed types together; 1,477 a year earlierATF Federal Firearms Listings · August 2026 · KentuckyCite

License types, August 2026

  1. Dealers (type 01)811 56.2%
  2. Manufacturers (type 07)333 23.1%
  3. Pawnbrokers (type 02)245 17.0%
  4. Ammunition manufacturers (type 06)25 1.7%
  5. Importers (type 08)18 1.2%
  6. Destructive-device manufacturers (type 10)5 0.3%
  7. Destructive-device importers (type 11)5 0.3%

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. ATF’s August 2026 list has no destructive-device dealer (type 09) records for Kentucky. They are left out, not counted as zero.

Show all 68 months by type
License records in Kentucky by type, by month
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Pawnbroker (02)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Importer (08)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Destructive-device importer (11)
August 2026All types1,442Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)811Manufacturer (07)333Pawnbroker (02)245Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
July 2026All types1,447Dealer (01)822Manufacturer (07)329Pawnbroker (02)242Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
June 2026All types1,454Dealer (01)829Manufacturer (07)329Pawnbroker (02)241Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
May 2026All types1,452Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)830Manufacturer (07)328Pawnbroker (02)239Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
April 2026All types1,446Dealer (01)827Manufacturer (07)324Pawnbroker (02)241Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
March 2026All types1,446Dealer (01)827Manufacturer (07)324Pawnbroker (02)242Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
February 2026All types1,461Dealer (01)835Manufacturer (07)325Pawnbroker (02)247Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
January 2026All types1,458Dealer (01)839Manufacturer (07)322Pawnbroker (02)244Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4Destructive-device importer (11)5
December 2025All types1,466Dealer (01)844Manufacturer (07)322Pawnbroker (02)246Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)19Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4Destructive-device importer (11)5
November 2025All types1,344Sum of 8 reported license types. Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDealer (01)772Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listManufacturer (07)301Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listPawnbroker (02)219Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listAmmunition manufacturer (06)24Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listImporter (08)18Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device manufacturer (10)4Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device importer (11)5Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list
October 2025All types1,304Dealer (01)754Manufacturer (07)295Pawnbroker (02)206Ammunition manufacturer (06)24Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)3Destructive-device importer (11)3
September 2025All types1,475Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)848Manufacturer (07)329Pawnbroker (02)246Ammunition manufacturer (06)24Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4Destructive-device importer (11)5
August 2025All types1,477Dealer (01)852Manufacturer (07)324Pawnbroker (02)248Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4Destructive-device importer (11)5
July 2025All types1,488Dealer (01)857Manufacturer (07)324Pawnbroker (02)253Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4Destructive-device importer (11)5
June 2025All types1,498Dealer (01)862Manufacturer (07)325Pawnbroker (02)255Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)6
May 2025All types1,500Dealer (01)869Manufacturer (07)322Pawnbroker (02)253Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)6
April 2025All types1,504Dealer (01)872Manufacturer (07)320Pawnbroker (02)256Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
March 2025All types1,502Dealer (01)875Manufacturer (07)312Pawnbroker (02)257Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
February 2025All types1,510Dealer (01)883Manufacturer (07)312Pawnbroker (02)257Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
January 2025All types1,520Dealer (01)888Manufacturer (07)313Pawnbroker (02)259Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
December 2024All types1,517Dealer (01)887Manufacturer (07)311Pawnbroker (02)259Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5Destructive-device importer (11)5
November 2024All types1,529Dealer (01)895Manufacturer (07)312Pawnbroker (02)260Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
October 2024All types1,525Dealer (01)895Manufacturer (07)306Pawnbroker (02)263Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
September 2024All types1,527Dealer (01)898Manufacturer (07)306Pawnbroker (02)263Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
Earlier months, January 2021 – August 2024
License records in Kentucky by type, by month, January 2021 – August 2024
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Pawnbroker (02)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Importer (08)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Destructive-device importer (11)
August 2024All types1,535Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)908Manufacturer (07)300Pawnbroker (02)265Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
July 2024All types1,540Dealer (01)914Manufacturer (07)297Pawnbroker (02)266Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)22Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
June 2024All types1,542Dealer (01)918Manufacturer (07)293Pawnbroker (02)268Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)22Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
May 2024All types1,543Dealer (01)919Manufacturer (07)290Pawnbroker (02)269Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)23Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
April 2024All types1,566Dealer (01)942Manufacturer (07)290Pawnbroker (02)270Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
March 2024All types1,570Dealer (01)942Manufacturer (07)289Pawnbroker (02)274Ammunition manufacturer (06)30Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
February 2024All types1,578Dealer (01)947Manufacturer (07)289Pawnbroker (02)278Ammunition manufacturer (06)30Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
January 2024All types1,581Dealer (01)950Manufacturer (07)287Pawnbroker (02)280Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
December 2023All types1,588Dealer (01)955Manufacturer (07)287Pawnbroker (02)282Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
November 2023All types1,601Dealer (01)968Manufacturer (07)283Pawnbroker (02)286Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
October 2023All types1,611Dealer (01)974Manufacturer (07)285Pawnbroker (02)287Ammunition manufacturer (06)30Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
September 2023All types1,613Dealer (01)977Manufacturer (07)282Pawnbroker (02)290Ammunition manufacturer (06)30Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
August 2023All types1,622Dealer (01)978Manufacturer (07)284Pawnbroker (02)295Ammunition manufacturer (06)30Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
July 2023All types1,619Dealer (01)979Manufacturer (07)281Pawnbroker (02)294Ammunition manufacturer (06)30Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
June 2023All types1,616Dealer (01)981Manufacturer (07)280Pawnbroker (02)291Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
May 2023All types1,621Dealer (01)992Manufacturer (07)275Pawnbroker (02)291Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
April 2023All types1,623Dealer (01)994Manufacturer (07)271Pawnbroker (02)294Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
March 2023All types1,616Dealer (01)994Manufacturer (07)266Pawnbroker (02)293Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
February 2023All types1,623Dealer (01)1,003Manufacturer (07)262Pawnbroker (02)295Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
January 2023All types1,615Dealer (01)1,002Manufacturer (07)258Pawnbroker (02)293Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
December 2022All types1,627Dealer (01)1,016Manufacturer (07)255Pawnbroker (02)294Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
November 2022All types1,630Dealer (01)1,020Manufacturer (07)255Pawnbroker (02)293Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
October 2022All types1,629Dealer (01)1,022Manufacturer (07)255Pawnbroker (02)290Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
September 2022All types1,633Dealer (01)1,030Manufacturer (07)250Pawnbroker (02)290Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
August 2022All types1,637Dealer (01)1,038Manufacturer (07)247Pawnbroker (02)289Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)21Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
July 2022All types1,651Dealer (01)1,050Manufacturer (07)246Pawnbroker (02)293Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
June 2022All types1,658Dealer (01)1,055Manufacturer (07)250Pawnbroker (02)291Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
May 2022All types1,638Dealer (01)1,048Manufacturer (07)241Pawnbroker (02)291Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)19Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
April 2022All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not available
March 2022All types1,645Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,062Manufacturer (07)235Pawnbroker (02)289Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)19Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
February 2022All types1,645Dealer (01)1,066Manufacturer (07)232Pawnbroker (02)288Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)19Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6Destructive-device importer (11)5
January 2022All types1,645Dealer (01)1,066Manufacturer (07)232Pawnbroker (02)287Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)19Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
December 2021All types1,643Dealer (01)1,062Manufacturer (07)233Pawnbroker (02)288Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
November 2021All types1,647Dealer (01)1,063Manufacturer (07)231Pawnbroker (02)291Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
October 2021All types1,647Dealer (01)1,069Manufacturer (07)225Pawnbroker (02)292Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
September 2021All types1,662Dealer (01)1,069Manufacturer (07)226Pawnbroker (02)305Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
August 2021All types1,659Dealer (01)1,067Manufacturer (07)224Pawnbroker (02)305Ammunition manufacturer (06)28Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
July 2021All types1,664Dealer (01)1,072Manufacturer (07)223Pawnbroker (02)307Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
June 2021All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not available
May 2021All types1,655Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)1,076Manufacturer (07)214Pawnbroker (02)304Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Importer (08)20Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
April 2021All types1,648Dealer (01)1,075Manufacturer (07)210Pawnbroker (02)306Ammunition manufacturer (06)23Importer (08)19Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)5
March 2021All types1,631Dealer (01)1,067Manufacturer (07)204Pawnbroker (02)305Ammunition manufacturer (06)22Importer (08)18Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)6
February 2021All types1,614Dealer (01)1,059Manufacturer (07)193Pawnbroker (02)307Ammunition manufacturer (06)23Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)6
January 2021All types1,616Dealer (01)1,063Manufacturer (07)192Pawnbroker (02)306Ammunition manufacturer (06)23Importer (08)17Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7Destructive-device importer (11)6
Cite a figure from this section (8)

How many background checks does Kentucky run?

The FBI’s background check system (NICS) logged 2,522,704 checks in Kentucky in 2025, down 32.6% from 2024. Permit checks were 89.5% of them, and a permit check is not a purchase. From January through August 2026 the count was 804,885, against 2,131,586 a year earlier. [4]

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

2025: 2,522,704 · 2024: 3,741,704 · 32.6% fewer

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

  • 2,522,704firearm background checks in Kentucky in 2025, 2,257,254 of them permit checksFBI NICS · 2025 · sum of 12 monthly totalsCite

What the checks were for, 2025

  1. Permit recheck2,249,980 89.2%
  2. Handgun122,699 4.9%
  3. Long gun101,937 4.0%
  4. Redemption handgun15,952 0.6%
  5. Redemption long gun8,883 0.4%
  6. Multiple firearms8,304 0.3%
  7. All other types14,949 0.6%

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, Kentucky counts by type, 2025. The types add up to the year’s 2,522,704 checks.

Show every year and month
FBI NICS background checks in Kentucky by year
YearChecks
2025Checks2,522,704
2024Checks3,741,704
2023Checks3,685,843
2022Checks4,016,510
2021Checks3,848,061
2020Checks3,330,462
2019Checks4,120,892
2018Checks4,912,441
2017Checks4,641,480
2016Checks3,676,847
2015Checks3,218,371
2014Checks2,492,184
Earlier years, 1999–2013
FBI NICS background checks in Kentucky by year, 1999–2013
YearChecks
2013Checks1,578,331
2012Checks2,589,358
2011Checks2,280,832
2010Checks2,385,579
2009Checks2,189,578
2008Checks1,881,101
2007Checks1,587,850
2006Checks791,599
2005Checks232,589
2004Checks234,974
2003Checks226,869
2002Checks229,423
2001Checks238,996
2000Checks229,896
1999Checks248,212
FBI NICS background checks in Kentucky by month
MonthChecks
August 2026Checks104,210
July 2026Checks272,859
June 2026Checks21,598
May 2026Checks24,294
April 2026Checks27,738
March 2026Checks31,106
February 2026Checks31,763
January 2026Checks291,317
December 2025Checks36,857
November 2025Checks31,856
October 2025Checks297,083
September 2025Checks25,322
August 2025Checks23,907
July 2025Checks294,874
June 2025Checks296,185
May 2025Checks297,467
April 2025Checks301,412
March 2025Checks307,599
February 2025Checks304,861
January 2025Checks305,281
December 2024Checks319,479
November 2024Checks316,780
October 2024Checks309,780
September 2024Checks307,059
Earlier months, November 1998 – August 2024
FBI NICS background checks in Kentucky by month, November 1998 – August 2024
MonthChecks
August 2024Checks307,824
July 2024Checks304,664
June 2024Checks303,790
May 2024Checks302,948
April 2024Checks310,512
March 2024Checks319,814
February 2024Checks321,300
January 2024Checks317,754
December 2023Checks333,763
November 2023Checks332,787
October 2023Checks164,242
September 2023Checks284,622
August 2023Checks254,242
July 2023Checks326,586
June 2023Checks335,656
May 2023Checks338,009
April 2023Checks342,513
March 2023Checks351,093
February 2023Checks297,902
January 2023Checks324,428
December 2022Checks338,625
November 2022Checks335,435
October 2022Checks330,427
September 2022Checks330,999
August 2022Checks261,153
July 2022Checks325,084
June 2022Checks338,173
May 2022Checks338,283
April 2022Checks347,125
March 2022Checks358,839
February 2022Checks357,772
January 2022Checks354,595
December 2021Checks375,026
November 2021Checks372,237
October 2021Checks370,434
September 2021Checks370,706
August 2021Checks375,270
July 2021Checks332,946
June 2021Checks323,280
May 2021Checks158,983
April 2021Checks38,414
March 2021Checks330,476
February 2021Checks378,499
January 2021Checks421,790
December 2020Checks407,522
November 2020Checks377,139
October 2020Checks181,425
September 2020Checks36,139
August 2020Checks39,157
July 2020Checks292,534
June 2020Checks395,188
May 2020Checks394,969
April 2020Checks205,536
March 2020Checks235,305
February 2020Checks398,247
January 2020Checks367,301
December 2019Checks405,291
November 2019Checks391,747
October 2019Checks303,650
September 2019Checks286,064
August 2019Checks315,348
July 2019Checks319,270
June 2019Checks369,622
May 2019Checks332,076
April 2019Checks381,411
March 2019Checks379,268
February 2019Checks328,572
January 2019Checks308,573
December 2018Checks404,143
November 2018Checks422,343
October 2018Checks413,568
September 2018Checks409,385
August 2018Checks411,800
July 2018Checks393,583
June 2018Checks411,606
May 2018Checks395,487
April 2018Checks409,485
March 2018Checks421,247
February 2018Checks417,418
January 2018Checks402,376
December 2017Checks417,841
November 2017Checks404,508
October 2017Checks401,155
September 2017Checks398,706
August 2017Checks394,718
July 2017Checks390,494
June 2017Checks392,002
May 2017Checks391,740
April 2017Checks392,685
March 2017Checks397,959
February 2017Checks313,748
January 2017Checks345,924
December 2016Checks397,059
November 2016Checks330,444
October 2016Checks378,973
September 2016Checks298,753
August 2016Checks29,746
July 2016Checks363,085
June 2016Checks360,293
May 2016Checks321,666
April 2016Checks306,214
March 2016Checks321,318
February 2016Checks266,913
January 2016Checks302,383
December 2015Checks308,824
November 2015Checks295,891
October 2015Checks276,162
September 2015Checks262,693
August 2015Checks286,463
July 2015Checks220,018
June 2015Checks242,027
May 2015Checks271,614
April 2015Checks253,890
March 2015Checks281,518
February 2015Checks198,493
January 2015Checks320,778
December 2014Checks295,697
November 2014Checks84,113
October 2014Checks31,756
September 2014Checks80,383
August 2014Checks232,853
July 2014Checks248,979
June 2014Checks214,382
May 2014Checks230,610
April 2014Checks274,155
March 2014Checks280,948
February 2014Checks259,837
January 2014Checks258,471
December 2013Checks231,210
November 2013Checks208,696
October 2013Checks204,305
September 2013Checks54,426
August 2013Checks27,296
July 2013Checks29,719
June 2013Checks29,195
May 2013Checks25,271
April 2013Checks39,190
March 2013Checks243,253
February 2013Checks247,260
January 2013Checks238,510
December 2012Checks260,207
November 2012Checks219,921
October 2012Checks220,986
September 2012Checks216,886
August 2012Checks216,276
July 2012Checks209,830
June 2012Checks209,443
May 2012Checks204,954
April 2012Checks204,963
March 2012Checks211,057
February 2012Checks215,496
January 2012Checks199,339
December 2011Checks213,645
November 2011Checks203,683
October 2011Checks196,026
September 2011Checks194,180
August 2011Checks189,671
July 2011Checks184,356
June 2011Checks183,978
May 2011Checks180,713
April 2011Checks184,195
March 2011Checks184,546
February 2011Checks188,375
January 2011Checks177,464
December 2010Checks188,188
November 2010Checks181,908
October 2010Checks177,281
September 2010Checks172,165
August 2010Checks181,135
July 2010Checks219,640
June 2010Checks216,147
May 2010Checks213,810
April 2010Checks211,261
March 2010Checks211,068
February 2010Checks211,077
January 2010Checks201,899
December 2009Checks209,466
November 2009Checks195,656
October 2009Checks194,580
September 2009Checks187,031
August 2009Checks182,433
July 2009Checks179,312
June 2009Checks175,957
May 2009Checks174,703
April 2009Checks174,987
March 2009Checks175,314
February 2009Checks173,104
January 2009Checks167,035
December 2008Checks169,865
November 2008Checks170,669
October 2008Checks162,086
September 2008Checks155,795
August 2008Checks154,192
July 2008Checks184,555
June 2008Checks146,583
May 2008Checks150,272
April 2008Checks148,367
March 2008Checks146,516
February 2008Checks148,628
January 2008Checks143,573
December 2007Checks151,630
November 2007Checks144,176
October 2007Checks141,264
September 2007Checks134,456
August 2007Checks134,729
July 2007Checks121,163
June 2007Checks128,745
May 2007Checks125,970
April 2007Checks124,816
March 2007Checks127,759
February 2007Checks127,538
January 2007Checks125,604
December 2006Checks135,157
November 2006Checks126,127
October 2006Checks121,114
September 2006Checks120,706
August 2006Checks113,059
July 2006Checks58,454
June 2006Checks14,936
May 2006Checks17,563
April 2006Checks20,703
March 2006Checks20,689
February 2006Checks23,169
January 2006Checks19,922
December 2005Checks33,154
November 2005Checks25,200
October 2005Checks20,809
September 2005Checks18,361
August 2005Checks17,018
July 2005Checks14,152
June 2005Checks13,457
May 2005Checks12,669
April 2005Checks16,961
March 2005Checks19,902
February 2005Checks21,806
January 2005Checks19,100
December 2004Checks32,460
November 2004Checks26,223
October 2004Checks23,503
September 2004Checks18,802
August 2004Checks17,314
July 2004Checks14,663
June 2004Checks13,113
May 2004Checks12,385
April 2004Checks16,778
March 2004Checks18,647
February 2004Checks21,118
January 2004Checks19,968
December 2003Checks30,782
November 2003Checks23,773
October 2003Checks23,222
September 2003Checks17,307
August 2003Checks18,267
July 2003Checks13,348
June 2003Checks12,708
May 2003Checks14,032
April 2003Checks15,413
March 2003Checks18,342
February 2003Checks21,067
January 2003Checks18,608
December 2002Checks29,722
November 2002Checks25,714
October 2002Checks22,037
September 2002Checks17,645
August 2002Checks18,976
July 2002Checks13,240
June 2002Checks12,525
May 2002Checks13,687
April 2002Checks16,031
March 2002Checks19,630
February 2002Checks21,575
January 2002Checks18,641
December 2001Checks32,626
November 2001Checks28,614
October 2001Checks24,942
September 2001Checks20,022
August 2001Checks19,612
July 2001Checks13,077
June 2001Checks13,848
May 2001Checks12,909
April 2001Checks14,259
March 2001Checks20,312
February 2001Checks20,955
January 2001Checks17,820
December 2000Checks29,852
November 2000Checks25,539
October 2000Checks21,371
September 2000Checks20,108
August 2000Checks18,049
July 2000Checks13,354
June 2000Checks13,879
May 2000Checks12,913
April 2000Checks16,387
March 2000Checks19,364
February 2000Checks21,621
January 2000Checks17,459
December 1999Checks35,408
November 1999Checks28,229
October 1999Checks23,993
September 1999Checks19,990
August 1999Checks18,205
July 1999Checks15,838
June 1999Checks14,373
May 1999Checks13,777
April 1999Checks17,439
March 1999Checks20,740
February 1999Checks22,311
January 1999Checks17,909
December 1998Checks31,029
November 1998Checks840Partial month: NICS began on November 30, 1998
Cite a figure from this section (14)

What does Kentucky export?

Firearm and ammunition exports that started their trip in Kentucky came to $5.8 million in 2025, all of it military weapons. [7]

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

2025: $5,838,247 · 2024: $17,354,924 · 66.4% less

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

  1. Military weapons$5,838,247

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Kentucky, 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

  1. India$4,592,961
  2. Mexico$2,342,093
  3. United Arab Emirates$1,939,516
  4. Japan$1,467,349
  5. Turkey$1,449,700
  6. Germany$437,684
  7. Mongolia$300,300
  8. Moldova$287,400

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Kentucky, 2025. USA Arms adds up every month and product group Census reported for each destination; 16 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 Kentucky, product groups added up by USA Arms
YearExports
2025Exports$5,838,2471 product family
2024Exports$17,354,9242 product families
2023Exports$14,710,026
2022Exports$9,287,7641 product family
2021Exports$7,805,6532 product families
2020Exports$1,159,097
2019Exports$41,1521 product family
2018Exports$73,860,696
2017Exports$299,5743 product families
2016Exports$5,835,959
2015Exports$207,5032 product families
2014Exports$1,177,4393 product families
Earlier years, 2010–2013
Firearm and ammunition exports from Kentucky, product groups added up by USA Arms, 2010–2013
YearExports
2013Exports$20,015,5442 product families
2012Exports$2,575,4743 product families
2011Exports$3,028,5631 product family
2010Exports$8,103,6772 product families
Cite a figure from this section (10)

How many hunting licenses does Kentucky certify?

Kentucky certified 315,758 paid hunting-license holders for license year 2024. Hunters bought 423,497 resident and 135,518 nonresident licenses, for $24,819,538 in all. A holder is one certification, not one person: someone licensed in two states counts in each. [3]

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

2024: 315,758 · 2023: 311,137 · 1.5% more

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

  • 315,758paid hunting-license holders Kentucky certified for license year 2024; the high was 356,500 in 2014USFWS certifications · 2024 · KentuckyCite
Show all 69 years
Hunting licenses certified by Kentucky
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2024Paid license holders315,758Resident licenses423,497Nonresident licenses135,518Gross cost$24,819,538
2023Paid license holders311,137Resident licenses422,503Nonresident licenses137,914Gross cost$24,190,458
2022Paid license holders318,869Resident licenses432,892Nonresident licenses126,527Gross cost$24,284,725
2021Paid license holders321,347Resident licenses442,562Nonresident licenses112,806Gross cost$22,838,357
2020Paid license holders305,690Resident licenses412,721Nonresident licenses112,803Gross cost$22,002,841
2019Paid license holders319,690Resident licenses432,216Nonresident licenses114,649Gross cost$20,951,851
2018Paid license holders334,342Resident licenses468,895Nonresident licenses112,338Gross cost$19,369,805
2017Paid license holders346,161Resident licenses494,892Nonresident licenses109,815Gross cost$19,835,262
2016Paid license holders352,408Resident licenses512,113Nonresident licenses102,629Gross cost$19,787,571
2015Paid license holders353,098Resident licenses514,062Nonresident licenses100,058Gross cost$19,369,862
2014Paid license holders356,500Resident licenses520,032Nonresident licenses97,097Gross cost$17,236,301
2013Paid license holders340,902Resident licenses504,097Nonresident licenses90,292Gross costWithheld
Earlier years, 1956–2012
Hunting licenses certified by Kentucky, 1956–2012
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2012Paid license holders326,976Resident licenses494,854Nonresident licenses84,008Gross costWithheld
2011Paid license holders330,238Resident licenses486,527Nonresident licenses79,545Gross costWithheld
2010Paid license holders336,463Resident licenses520,526Nonresident licenses58,500Gross costWithheld
2009Paid license holders328,321Resident licenses478,817Nonresident licenses59,165Gross costWithheld
2008Paid license holders339,483Resident licenses499,322Nonresident licenses63,664Gross costWithheld
2007Paid license holders347,848Resident licenses547,486Nonresident licenses68,346Gross costWithheld
2006Paid license holders347,848Resident licenses547,486Nonresident licenses68,346Gross costWithheld
2005Paid license holders343,456Resident licenses542,084Nonresident licenses57,464Gross costWithheld
2004Paid license holders350,544Resident licenses593,701Nonresident licenses61,042Gross costWithheld
2003Paid license holders347,379Resident licenses608,399Nonresident licenses58,296Gross costWithheld
2002Paid license holders349,951Resident licenses630,234Nonresident licenses54,534Gross costWithheld
2001Paid license holders347,379Resident licenses608,399Nonresident licenses58,296Gross costWithheld
2000Paid license holders349,951Resident licenses630,234Nonresident licenses54,534Gross cost$12,468,168
1999Paid license holders355,134Resident licenses650,975Nonresident licenses53,185Gross cost$12,514,329
1998Paid license holders346,970Resident licenses661,210Nonresident licenses42,820Gross cost$10,450,971
1997Paid license holders280,991Resident licenses697,260Nonresident licenses42,948Gross cost$10,053,706
1996Paid license holders278,635Resident licenses578,445Nonresident licenses18,102Gross cost$9,691,338
1995Paid license holders271,364Resident licenses561,321Nonresident licenses16,608Gross cost$9,231,891
1994Paid license holders281,746Resident licenses502,450Nonresident licenses16,084Gross cost$7,991,430
1993Paid license holders288,770Resident licenses503,483Nonresident licenses15,557Gross cost$7,919,409
1992Paid license holders291,009Resident licenses494,604Nonresident licenses15,268Gross cost$7,801,474
1991Paid license holders307,549Resident licenses511,413Nonresident licenses16,414Gross cost$6,233,316
1990Paid license holders312,637Resident licenses508,637Nonresident licenses15,850Gross cost$6,078,378
1989Paid license holders317,687Resident licenses513,690Nonresident licenses15,503Gross cost$5,938,131
1988Paid license holders327,083Resident licenses515,541Nonresident licenses17,159Gross cost$5,947,204
1987Paid license holders323,473Resident licenses500,574Nonresident licenses13,731Gross cost$5,662,946
1986Paid license holders322,064Resident licenses537,212Nonresident licenses13,207Gross cost$4,995,204
1985Paid license holders323,418Resident licenses502,610Nonresident licenses14,673Gross cost$5,077,279
1984Paid license holders308,069Resident licenses482,132Nonresident licenses14,962Gross cost$4,094,753
1983Paid license holders305,956Resident licenses447,449Nonresident licenses10,117Gross cost$3,808,656
1982Paid license holders307,621Resident licenses443,923Nonresident licenses10,192Gross cost$3,758,921
1981Paid license holders314,773Resident licenses446,750Nonresident licenses10,491Gross cost$3,799,189
1980Paid license holders315,531Resident licenses440,279Nonresident licenses11,451Gross cost$3,355,709
1979Paid license holders311,493Resident licenses432,287Nonresident licenses11,152Gross cost$3,286,788
1978Paid license holders309,728Resident licenses356,995Nonresident licenses11,058Gross cost$3,119,835
1977Paid license holders322,050Resident licenses412,015Nonresident licenses12,511Gross cost$2,605,383
1976Paid license holders323,777Resident licenses404,640Nonresident licenses11,530Gross cost$2,506,821
1975Paid license holders323,041Resident licenses382,087Nonresident licenses10,471Gross cost$2,419,999
1974Paid license holders317,941Resident licenses308,593Nonresident licenses9,348Gross cost$1,695,058
1973Paid license holders309,177Resident licenses300,985Nonresident licenses8,192Gross cost$1,636,511
1972Paid license holders295,453Resident licenses288,192Nonresident licenses7,261Gross cost$1,437,969
1971Paid license holders276,089Resident licenses313,056Nonresident licenses10,800Gross cost$1,389,561
1970Paid license holders268,743Resident licenses264,026Nonresident licenses4,717Gross cost$1,158,140
1969Paid license holders271,764Resident licenses267,357Nonresident licenses4,407Gross cost$1,736,695
1968Paid license holders258,987Resident licenses254,895Nonresident licenses4,092Gross cost$1,094,011
1967Paid license holders256,340Resident licenses252,615Nonresident licenses3,725Gross cost$1,076,468
1966Paid license holders253,173Resident licenses249,355Nonresident licenses3,818Gross cost$1,066,284
1965Paid license holders261,982Resident licenses255,599Nonresident licenses6,383Gross cost$867,068
1964Paid license holders249,262Resident licenses243,153Nonresident licenses6,109Gross cost$825,410
1963Paid license holders236,631Resident licenses230,985Nonresident licenses5,646Gross cost$782,634
1962Paid license holders230,161Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1961Paid license holders232,597Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1960Paid license holders228,877Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1959Paid license holders254,561Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1958Paid license holders265,251Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1957Paid license holders271,916Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1956Paid license holders300,731Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
Cite a figure from this section (5)

How much conservation money does Kentucky receive?

Wildlife Restoration apportioned $13,967,424 to Kentucky for fiscal 2026, 7.2% less than fiscal 2025. The record was $19,980,030 in fiscal 2023. The money comes from federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery gear. [3]

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

FY 2026: $13,967,424 · FY 2025: $15,058,779 · 7.2% less

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

  • $13,967,424apportioned to Kentucky for fiscal 2026 through Wildlife Restoration, including hunter education; the high was $19,980,030 for fiscal 2023USFWS · FY 2026 · KentuckyCite
Show all 88 fiscal years
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Kentucky
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2026Apportioned$13,967,424
FY 2025Apportioned$15,058,779
FY 2024Apportioned$16,406,704
FY 2023Apportioned$19,980,030
FY 2022Apportioned$18,534,296
FY 2021Apportioned$11,649,958
FY 2020Apportioned$10,566,545
FY 2019Apportioned$11,874,003
FY 2018Apportioned$14,127,290
FY 2017Apportioned$13,914,162
FY 2016Apportioned$12,432,857
FY 2015Apportioned$14,369,716
Earlier fiscal years, FY 1939–FY 2014
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Kentucky, FY 1939–FY 2014
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2014Apportioned$13,387,289
FY 2013Apportioned$9,272,228
FY 2012Apportioned$6,582,966
FY 2011Apportioned$6,727,553
FY 2010Apportioned$8,530,093
FY 2009Apportioned$6,156,037
FY 2008Apportioned$5,633,083
FY 2007Apportioned$4,822,645
FY 2006Apportioned$4,188,001
FY 2005Apportioned$4,312,192
FY 2004Apportioned$3,734,407
FY 2003Apportioned$3,808,948
FY 2002Apportioned$3,381,505
FY 2001Apportioned$3,273,091
FY 2000Apportioned$3,117,435
FY 1999Apportioned$2,644,608
FY 1998Apportioned$2,520,998
FY 1997Apportioned$2,720,142
FY 1996Apportioned$3,364,656
FY 1995Apportioned$3,542,526
FY 1994Apportioned$3,080,648
FY 1993Apportioned$2,683,385
FY 1992Apportioned$2,589,506
FY 1991Apportioned$2,709,324
FY 1990Apportioned$2,011,116
FY 1989Apportioned$2,048,382
FY 1988Apportioned$1,836,405
FY 1987Apportioned$1,809,161
FY 1986Apportioned$1,765,986
FY 1985Apportioned$1,322,773
FY 1984Apportioned$1,463,691
FY 1983Apportioned$1,764,271
FY 1982Apportioned$1,916,285
FY 1981Apportioned$1,395,091
FY 1980Apportioned$1,476,369
FY 1979Apportioned$1,369,846
FY 1978Apportioned$1,038,620
FY 1977Apportioned$1,353,467
FY 1976Apportioned$913,323
FY 1975Apportioned$826,278
FY 1974Apportioned$728,437
FY 1973Apportioned$622,400
FY 1972Apportioned$524,004
FY 1971Apportioned$440,409
FY 1970Apportioned$454,783
FY 1969Apportioned$447,224
FY 1968Apportioned$381,726
FY 1967Apportioned$331,790
FY 1966Apportioned$268,815
FY 1965Apportioned$236,118
FY 1964Apportioned$243,061
FY 1963Apportioned$201,952
FY 1962Apportioned$207,909
FY 1961Apportioned$219,419
FY 1960Apportioned$249,519
FY 1959Apportioned$261,041
FY 1958Apportioned$269,269
FY 1957Apportioned$252,880
FY 1956Apportioned$223,375
FY 1955Apportioned$148,607
FY 1954Apportioned$187,680
FY 1953Apportioned$157,740
FY 1952Apportioned$272,188
FY 1951Apportioned$131,068
FY 1950Apportioned$147,327
FY 1949Apportioned$152,603
FY 1948Apportioned$99,038
FY 1947Apportioned$25,666
FY 1946Apportioned$9,992
FY 1945Apportioned$9,235
FY 1944Apportioned$11,310
FY 1943Apportioned$16,229
FY 1942Apportioned$33,031
FY 1941Apportioned$31,942
FY 1940Apportioned$19,122
FY 1939Apportioned$12,156
Cite a figure from this section (2)

How does Kentucky compare?

Kentucky ranks 7th for firearms made, 23rd for license records, 11th for small arms jobs, 8th for job concentration, 18th for hunting license holders and 34th for Wildlife Restoration money. Pick a measure to see every state, or see all fifty states compared on the U.S. page.

Measure
AlaskaAK10256287.2K$35.6MAlabamaAL150K1.48K497K$19.2MArkansasAR50.8K1.5K8103.88331K$14MArizonaAZ550K2.58K2.23K4.32303K$23.1MCaliforniaCA50K2.03K4860.17252K$26.8MColoradoCO2.31K1.68K2790.60379K$22.9MConnecticutDelawareFloridaFL350K4.56K8280.52265K$16.4MGeorgiaGA797K2.42K1.25K1.60816K$27.7MHawaiiHI29810515.3K$5.03MIowaIA23.2K1.46K710.28223K$12.1MIdahoID42.7K1.34K3522.52301K$16.6MIllinoisIL213K1.41K282K$16.6MIndianaIN18.1K1.73K2610.51253K$13.9MKansasKS8.88K1.21K530.23282K$16.1MLouisianaLA4.79K1.29K451K$17.6MMassachusettsMarylandMaineME735547208K$9.38MMichiganMI23.9K2.44K350.05632K$23.9MMinnesotaMN26K1.55K1.69K3.58528K$23.8MMissouriMO55.1K2.44K2380.51522K$22.4MMississippiMS1.04K1.05K272K$12.2MMontanaMT10.4K1.18K3143.83233K$22MNorth CarolinaNC656K3.06K1.02K1.29582K$22.3MNorth DakotaND1.66K543149K$12.1MNebraskaNE4.19K804267K$15.2MNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNM2.74K689280.20160K$17.8MNevadaNV147K8592490.99111K$15.6MNew YorkNY88.2K1.82K2990.19533K$20.9MOhioOH53.9K2.79K2370.27360K$16.6MOklahomaOK6.01K1.7K356K$17.5MOregonOR12.9K1.38K330K$20.1MPennsylvaniaPA95.6K3.24K1.2K1.241.03M$30.6MRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSC765K1.49K7652.06199K$11.1MSouth DakotaSD1.9K646801.09223K$14.3MTennesseeTN1.16M1.99K1.17K2.24734K$24.2MTexasTX666K8.34K1.12K0.501.12M$38.9MUtahUT135K1.37K7002.51283K$16.4MVirginiaVA12K1.99K2210.33251K$14.3MVermontWashingtonWA177K1.17K4820.84164K$15.4MWisconsinWI205K1.77K1.02K2.16652K$23.5MWest VirginiaWV3.32K943260.23278K$9.83MWyomingWY12.9K8243678.13119K$14.4MKentuckyKY613K1.44K9442.97316K$14M
  • 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
RankStateFirearms made, 2024License records, Aug 2026Small arms jobs, 2025Job concentration, 2025Hunting license holders, 2024Wildlife Restoration, FY 2026
1New Hampshire1,381,9226021,69715.4059,947$5,027,605
2Tennessee1,164,2391,9901,1712.24734,342$24,236,720
3Georgia796,8572,4251,2501.60815,738$27,695,024
4South Carolina764,9041,4947652.06199,114$11,071,422
5Texas665,8328,3431,1200.501,117,858$38,857,809
6North Carolina656,2673,0581,0201.29581,521$22,308,487
7Kentucky613,2251,4429442.97315,758$13,967,424
8Arizona549,9892,5802,2344.32303,298$23,118,473
9Massachusetts479,681589Not publishedNot published60,377$8,289,959
10Florida350,1574,5588280.52265,018$16,437,305
11Connecticut225,5306591,2464.6025,903$6,023,949
12New Jersey222,163380Not publishedNot published67,305$8,289,959
13Illinois213,4461,414Not publishedNot published282,380$16,595,276
14Wisconsin205,1101,7751,0172.16652,399$23,485,531
15Washington176,7451,1654820.84163,801$15,447,463
16Alabama150,1801,479Not publishedNot published497,063$19,216,281
17Nevada146,5248592490.99111,210$15,610,455
18Utah135,2091,3707002.51282,841$16,350,555
19Pennsylvania95,6103,2371,1971.241,031,218$30,594,626
20New York88,1651,8162990.19533,479$20,933,144
21Missouri55,1392,4372380.51521,787$22,441,430
22Ohio53,8952,7852370.27359,811$16,569,111
23Arkansas50,8031,5008103.88331,401$14,014,316
24California49,9712,0304860.17251,590$26,821,647
25Idaho42,6771,3413522.52300,759$16,597,136
26Vermont28,628340Not publishedNot published55,171$5,027,605
27Minnesota26,0321,5521,6853.58527,774$23,819,471
28Michigan23,9142,436350.05632,144$23,914,949
29Iowa23,1901,456710.28222,692$12,112,654
30Indiana18,1361,7312610.51252,645$13,857,865
31Wyoming12,9468243678.13118,896$14,427,611
32Oregon12,8721,379Not publishedNot published330,416$20,075,259
33Virginia11,9591,9942210.33251,350$14,312,936
34Maryland10,7567921230.28111,027$7,898,984
35Montana10,3771,1843143.83233,193$21,957,263
36Kansas8,8811,206530.23282,124$16,080,090
37Oklahoma6,0111,704Not publishedNot published356,283$17,533,166
38Louisiana4,7941,288Not publishedNot published451,343$17,626,642
39Nebraska4,188804Not publishedNot published266,748$15,218,471
40West Virginia3,323943260.23278,193$9,827,675
41New Mexico2,744689280.20160,081$17,768,168
42Colorado2,3131,6792790.60378,763$22,930,115
43South Dakota1,896646801.09222,875$14,329,482
44North Dakota1,659543Not publishedNot published148,512$12,140,115
45Mississippi1,0381,053Not publishedNot published271,751$12,204,415
46Maine735547Not publishedNot published208,206$9,376,640
47Hawaii298105Not publishedNot published15,296$5,027,605
48Rhode Island103115Not publishedNot published7,378$5,027,605
49Alaska102562Not publishedNot published87,159$35,595,455
50Delaware41135Not publishedNot published15,399$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.

Find firearms businesses in Kentucky

Research with Kentucky figures

  1. Who makes America's guns?Inside: Kentucky’s largest filings each year · compare Kentucky with another state or year
  2. When do Americans run firearm background checks?Inside: Every day since 1998 for the whole country; the FBI publishes no daily counts by state
  3. Firearm background checks per person, by stateInside: Kentucky’s rate per 1,000 residents · its yearly check mix · monthly checks since 1998
  4. How do federal firearms license counts and types differ by state?Inside: Kentucky’s license mix against the U.S. · compare Kentucky with another state
  5. Where are hunting licenses most common?Inside: Kentucky’s license holders per 100 residents, its rank and its nonresident share

All research

Sources, downloads and corrections

Every number above has its own link. Select Cite to copy a figure as one sentence with its source, period and link.

Every figure and series · CSVEvery figure and series · JSONHow we source figures

Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit USA Arms and link to this page.

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