Skip to main content

USA Arms · Everything Firearms Nationwide

USA Arms
Menu

Pennsylvania firearms statistics

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

  1. 95,610firearms made in Pennsylvania in 2024, 19th of 50 states and 1.0% of U.S. productionATF · 2024
  2. 3,237federal firearms license records, 3rd of 50 statesATF · Aug 2026
  3. 1,031,218paid hunting-license holders, 2nd of 50 statesUSFWS · license year 2024
  4. 1,083,778FBI background checks in 2025, 33.5% of them for permits. A check is not a saleFBI · 2025, 12 months
  5. 1,197private jobs making small arms in 2025, paying $69,885 on averageBLS · 2025
  6. $30,594,626Wildlife Restoration apportionment for fiscal 2026, 3rd of 50 statesUSFWS · FY 2026
  7. $15.0 millionof firearms and ammunition exported from Pennsylvania in 2025, across 4 product groupsCensus · 2025, 12 months

How many guns are made in Pennsylvania?

Plants in Pennsylvania reported making 95,610 firearms in 2024, up 6.4% from 2023. That is 1.0% of U.S. production, 19th among the states. The high was 228,400 in 2021. [1] See gun manufacturers in Pennsylvania for the makers listed in our directory.

Firearms manufactured in Pennsylvania, 2004–2024 firearms

  • Hatched: withheld

2024: 95,610 · 2023: 89,882 · 6.4% more

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

  • 95,610firearms reported by plants in Pennsylvania for 2024, 1.0% of U.S. production; 89,882 for 2023ATF AFMER · calendar year 2024 · PennsylvaniaCite

What Pennsylvania makes

Rifles were 66.3% of Pennsylvania production in 2024.

  1. Rifles63,386 66.3%
  2. Pistols15,086 15.8%
  3. Shotguns3,713 3.9%
  4. Revolvers69 0.1%

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

Largest filings in Pennsylvania, 2024

Each row is one plant’s ATF filing. Names appear as filed and are not yet matched to manufacturer pages. Pennsylvania had 122 filings in 2024.

Largest filings, 2024
#FilingPlant cityFirearms, 2024Share of Pennsylvania
1Keystone Sporting Arms LLCMilton · 33.4%Milton31,95533.4%
2IWI US Inc.Middletown · 30.4%Middletown29,03730.4%
3Saeilo Inc.Greeley · 12.3%Greeley11,78812.3%
4Gwynedd Manufacturing Inc.North Wales · 11.5%North Wales10,99311.5%
5Ossur Consulting LLCHarrisburg · 2.6%Harrisburg2,5002.6%
6SSK Firearms, Inc.Quakertown · 2.0%Quakertown1,8852.0%
7Warwick Tactical LLCLandisville · 1.6%Landisville1,5111.6%
8Elsner Engineering Works, Inc.Hanover · 1.5%Hanover1,4531.5%
9Pneu Dart Inc.Williamsport · 1.1%Williamsport1,0651.1%
10Er Shaw Inc.Bridgeville · 0.5%Bridgeville4480.5%

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

Production by city

North Wales has the most filings (2), and Milton reported the most firearms.

  1. Milton31,955 1 filing
  2. Middletown29,037 1 filing
  3. Greeley11,788 1 filing
  4. North Wales11,023 2 filings
  5. Harrisburg2,500 1 filing
  6. Quakertown2,106 2 filings
  7. Landisville1,511 1 filing
  8. Hanover1,457 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.

Show all 21 years
Firearms made in Pennsylvania, in all and by type
YearFirearms madeRiflesPistolsShotgunsRevolvers
2024Firearms made95,610Rifles63,386Sum of 122 filingsPistols15,086Sum of 122 filingsShotguns3,713Sum of 122 filingsRevolvers69Sum of 122 filings
2023Firearms made89,882Rifles52,417Sum of 129 filingsPistols21,289Sum of 129 filingsShotguns5,264Sum of 129 filingsRevolvers143Sum of 129 filings
2022Firearms madeWithheldRiflesNot reportedPistolsNot reportedShotgunsNot reportedRevolversNot reported
2021Firearms made228,400Rifles124,960Sum of 110 filingsPistols67,099Sum of 110 filingsShotguns19,938Sum of 110 filingsRevolvers2Sum of 110 filings
2020Firearms made102,560Rifles59,903Sum of 101 filingsPistols17,855Sum of 101 filingsShotguns13,085Sum of 101 filingsRevolvers4Sum of 101 filings
2019Firearms made53,871Rifles38,544Sum of 79 filingsPistols1,056Sum of 79 filingsShotguns8Sum of 79 filingsRevolvers66Sum of 79 filings
2018Firearms made54,013Rifles51,744Pistols1,338Shotguns13Revolvers6
2017Firearms made19,793Rifles17,859Sum of 68 filingsPistols1,121Sum of 68 filingsShotguns20Sum of 68 filingsRevolvers1Sum of 68 filings
2016Firearms made85,589Rifles83,688Sum of 73 filingsPistols1,152Sum of 73 filingsShotguns16Sum of 73 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 73 filings
2015Firearms made84,982Rifles81,485Sum of 68 filingsPistols1,473Sum of 68 filingsShotguns15Sum of 68 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 68 filings
2014Firearms made84,182Rifles79,311Sum of 67 filingsPistols1,371Sum of 67 filingsShotguns850Sum of 67 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 67 filings
2013Firearms made122,106Rifles107,704Sum of 59 filingsPistols2,283Sum of 59 filingsShotguns15Sum of 59 filingsRevolvers106Sum of 59 filings
Earlier years, 2004–2012
Firearms made in Pennsylvania, in all and by type, 2004–2012
YearFirearms madeRiflesPistolsShotgunsRevolvers
2012Firearms made88,040Rifles75,188Sum of 56 filingsPistols895Sum of 56 filingsShotguns44Sum of 56 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 56 filings
2011Firearms made61,037Rifles57,446Sum of 38 filingsPistols112Sum of 38 filingsShotguns13Sum of 38 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 38 filings
2010Firearms made51,268Rifles48,359Sum of 33 filingsPistols1,098Sum of 33 filingsShotguns168Sum of 33 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 33 filings
2009Firearms made54,957Rifles46,226Sum of 35 filingsPistols1,213Sum of 35 filingsShotguns26Sum of 35 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 35 filings
2008Firearms made67,792Rifles67,563Sum of 30 filingsPistols32Sum of 30 filingsShotguns2Sum of 30 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 30 filings
2007Firearms made49,939Rifles49,710Sum of 26 filingsPistols23Sum of 26 filingsShotguns41Sum of 26 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 26 filings
2006Firearms made42,801Rifles42,651Sum of 21 filingsPistols5Sum of 21 filingsShotguns50Sum of 21 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 21 filings
2005Firearms made33,027Rifles33,015Sum of 13 filingsPistols0Sum of 13 filingsShotguns12Sum of 13 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 13 filings
2004Firearms made31,469Rifles31,390Sum of 11 filingsPistols1Sum of 11 filingsShotguns30Sum of 11 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 11 filings
Cite a figure from this section (24)

How many people make firearms in Pennsylvania?

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories makers (industry code NAICS 332994) in Pennsylvania had 1,197 jobs at 29 establishments in 2025. Average pay was $69,885 a year. The most since 2022 was 1,306 in 2024. [5]

Private employment in small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing, Pennsylvania, 1990–2025 jobs, annual average

2025: 1,197 · 2024: 1,306 · 8.3% fewer

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

  • 1,197private jobs making small arms, ordnance and accessories in Pennsylvania at 29 establishments, paying $69,885 on averageBLS QCEW · 2025 annual average · PennsylvaniaCite
  • 1.24job concentration (location quotient): small arms manufacturing is 1.2 times as large a share of Pennsylvania jobs as of U.S. jobsBLS QCEW · 2025 · NAICS 332994Cite
  • $281,188,000shipped by 26 small arms plants with 806 employees and a $46,455,000 payrollEconomic Census · 2022 · NAICS 332994Cite
  • $161,633,000shipped by 7 ammunition plants with 533 employees and a $35,868,000 payrollEconomic Census · 2022 · NAICS 332992Cite

Counties with the most small arms plants, 2025

  1. Bucks County4 establishments
  2. Luzerne County4 establishments
  3. Montgomery County4 establishments
  4. Blair County3 establishments
  5. Pike County2 establishments
  6. York County2 establishments
  7. Allegheny County2 establishments
  8. Centre 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 36 years · jobs, pay and plants
Jobs and pay, 2025, private employers
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)Ammunition (332992)
JobsSmall arms (332994)1,197Ammunition (332992)100
Average annual paySmall arms (332994)$69,885Ammunition (332992)$67,073
Total wagesSmall arms (332994)$83,657,813Ammunition (332992)$6,729,642
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)29Ammunition (332992)7

Source: BLS QCEW, 2025.

Federal government small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs in Pennsylvania, 2025: 315, with $28,278,842 in wages.

Establishments, shipments and payroll, 2022 Economic Census
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)Ammunition (332992)
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)26Ammunition (332992)7
EmployeesSmall arms (332994)806Ammunition (332992)533
Value of shipmentsSmall arms (332994)$281,188,000Ammunition (332992)$161,633,000
Value addedSmall arms (332994)$159,893,000Ammunition (332992)$97,380,000
Annual payrollSmall arms (332994)$46,455,000Ammunition (332992)$35,868,000

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

Private firearm industry jobs by year, Pennsylvania
YearSmall arms jobsAmmunition jobs
2025Small arms jobs1,197Ammunition jobs100
2024Small arms jobs1,306Ammunition jobs109
2023Small arms jobs1,166Ammunition jobs103
2022Small arms jobs1,067Ammunition jobs105
2021Small arms jobs1,138Ammunition jobs107
2020Small arms jobs1,142Ammunition jobs59
2019Small arms jobs1,083Ammunition jobs47
2018Small arms jobs966Ammunition jobs117
2017Small arms jobs898Ammunition jobs115
2016Small arms jobs575Ammunition jobs105
2015Small arms jobs540Ammunition jobs41
2014Small arms jobs408Ammunition jobs39
Earlier years, 1990–2013
Private firearm industry jobs by year, Pennsylvania, 1990–2013
YearSmall arms jobsAmmunition jobs
2013Small arms jobs498Ammunition jobs34
2012Small arms jobs660Ammunition jobs30
2011Small arms jobs716Ammunition jobs32
2010Small arms jobs136Ammunition jobsNot published
2009Small arms jobs168Ammunition jobsNot published
2008Small arms jobs128Ammunition jobsNot published
2007Small arms jobsNot publishedAmmunition jobsNot published
2006Small arms jobs89Ammunition jobsNot published
2005Small arms jobs133Ammunition jobsNot published
2004Small arms jobs136Ammunition jobsNot published
2003Small arms jobs157Ammunition jobsNot published
2002Small arms jobs155Ammunition jobsNot published
2001Small arms jobs113Ammunition jobsNot published
2000Small arms jobs84Ammunition jobsNot published
1999Small arms jobs65Ammunition jobsNot published
1998Small arms jobs56Ammunition jobsNot published
1997Small arms jobs49Ammunition jobsNot published
1996Small arms jobs78Ammunition jobsNot published
1995Small arms jobs163Ammunition jobsNot published
1994Small arms jobs333Ammunition jobsNot published
1993Small arms jobs322Ammunition jobsNot published
1992Small arms jobs346Ammunition jobsNot published
1991Small arms jobs366Ammunition jobsNot published
1990Small arms jobs375Ammunition jobsNot published
Cite a figure from this section (21)

How many federal firearms licenses are there in Pennsylvania?

ATF’s August 2026 list holds 3,237 license records in Pennsylvania, 50 fewer than a year earlier. Of those, 2,213 are dealers and 792 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 Pennsylvania.

Dealer and manufacturer license records in Pennsylvania, 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.

  • 3,237federal firearms license records on the August 2026 list, all 8 listed types together; 3,287 a year earlierATF Federal Firearms Listings · August 2026 · PennsylvaniaCite

License types, August 2026

  1. Dealers (type 01)2,213 68.4%
  2. Manufacturers (type 07)792 24.5%
  3. Importers (type 08)92 2.8%
  4. Ammunition manufacturers (type 06)81 2.5%
  5. Destructive-device manufacturers (type 10)33 1.0%
  6. Destructive-device importers (type 11)18 0.6%
  7. Destructive-device dealers (type 09)7 0.2%
  8. Pawnbrokers (type 02)1 <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.

Show all 68 months by type
License records in Pennsylvania by type, by month
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Importer (08)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Destructive-device importer (11)Destructive-device dealer (09)Pawnbroker (02)
August 2026All types3,237Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)2,213Manufacturer (07)792Importer (08)92Ammunition manufacturer (06)81Destructive-device manufacturer (10)33Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
July 2026All types3,257Dealer (01)2,222Manufacturer (07)801Importer (08)92Ammunition manufacturer (06)81Destructive-device manufacturer (10)34Destructive-device importer (11)19Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
June 2026All types3,256Dealer (01)2,227Manufacturer (07)796Importer (08)91Ammunition manufacturer (06)83Destructive-device manufacturer (10)32Destructive-device importer (11)19Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
May 2026All types3,254Dealer (01)2,230Manufacturer (07)791Importer (08)90Ammunition manufacturer (06)83Destructive-device manufacturer (10)33Destructive-device importer (11)19Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
April 2026All types3,249Dealer (01)2,234Manufacturer (07)786Importer (08)90Ammunition manufacturer (06)82Destructive-device manufacturer (10)31Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
March 2026All types3,251Dealer (01)2,242Manufacturer (07)782Importer (08)87Ammunition manufacturer (06)83Destructive-device manufacturer (10)31Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
February 2026All types3,250Dealer (01)2,250Manufacturer (07)775Importer (08)85Ammunition manufacturer (06)83Destructive-device manufacturer (10)31Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
January 2026All types3,242Dealer (01)2,249Manufacturer (07)770Importer (08)84Ammunition manufacturer (06)83Destructive-device manufacturer (10)30Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
December 2025All types3,258Dealer (01)2,260Manufacturer (07)774Importer (08)84Ammunition manufacturer (06)84Destructive-device manufacturer (10)30Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
November 2025All types3,084Sum of 8 reported license types. Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDealer (01)2,127Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listManufacturer (07)741Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listImporter (08)82Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listAmmunition manufacturer (06)82Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device manufacturer (10)26Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device importer (11)18Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device dealer (09)7Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listPawnbroker (02)1Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list
October 2025All types2,984Dealer (01)2,061Manufacturer (07)713Importer (08)80Ammunition manufacturer (06)80Destructive-device manufacturer (10)25Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
September 2025All types3,271Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)2,280Manufacturer (07)767Importer (08)84Ammunition manufacturer (06)86Destructive-device manufacturer (10)28Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
August 2025All types3,287Dealer (01)2,289Manufacturer (07)773Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)89Destructive-device manufacturer (10)28Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)7Pawnbroker (02)1
July 2025All types3,284Dealer (01)2,299Manufacturer (07)759Importer (08)81Ammunition manufacturer (06)89Destructive-device manufacturer (10)28Destructive-device importer (11)19Destructive-device dealer (09)8Pawnbroker (02)1
June 2025All types3,273Dealer (01)2,297Manufacturer (07)755Importer (08)79Ammunition manufacturer (06)89Destructive-device manufacturer (10)26Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)8Pawnbroker (02)1
May 2025All types3,283Dealer (01)2,308Manufacturer (07)752Importer (08)78Ammunition manufacturer (06)91Destructive-device manufacturer (10)26Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
April 2025All types3,292Dealer (01)2,315Manufacturer (07)755Importer (08)80Ammunition manufacturer (06)90Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
March 2025All types3,297Dealer (01)2,320Manufacturer (07)754Importer (08)81Ammunition manufacturer (06)90Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
February 2025All types3,293Dealer (01)2,318Manufacturer (07)752Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)89Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
January 2025All types3,301Dealer (01)2,323Manufacturer (07)754Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)90Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
December 2024All types3,297Dealer (01)2,324Manufacturer (07)752Importer (08)79Ammunition manufacturer (06)90Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
November 2024All types3,326Dealer (01)2,349Manufacturer (07)754Importer (08)80Ammunition manufacturer (06)91Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
October 2024All types3,339Dealer (01)2,360Manufacturer (07)754Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)91Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
September 2024All types3,339Dealer (01)2,365Manufacturer (07)750Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)91Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
Earlier months, January 2021 – August 2024
License records in Pennsylvania by type, by month, January 2021 – August 2024
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Importer (08)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)Destructive-device importer (11)Destructive-device dealer (09)Pawnbroker (02)
August 2024All types3,359Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)2,385Manufacturer (07)747Importer (08)81Ammunition manufacturer (06)95Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
July 2024All types3,353Dealer (01)2,384Manufacturer (07)742Importer (08)81Ammunition manufacturer (06)95Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
June 2024All types3,360Dealer (01)2,388Manufacturer (07)743Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)96Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
May 2024All types3,351Dealer (01)2,380Manufacturer (07)741Importer (08)84Ammunition manufacturer (06)96Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
April 2024All types3,363Dealer (01)2,386Manufacturer (07)743Importer (08)85Ammunition manufacturer (06)97Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
March 2024All types3,350Dealer (01)2,381Manufacturer (07)739Importer (08)84Ammunition manufacturer (06)96Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)16Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
February 2024All types3,372Dealer (01)2,403Manufacturer (07)739Importer (08)83Ammunition manufacturer (06)96Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
January 2024All types3,372Dealer (01)2,402Manufacturer (07)739Importer (08)84Ammunition manufacturer (06)96Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
December 2023All types3,367Dealer (01)2,403Manufacturer (07)732Importer (08)85Ammunition manufacturer (06)98Destructive-device manufacturer (10)21Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
November 2023All types3,396Dealer (01)2,422Manufacturer (07)737Importer (08)87Ammunition manufacturer (06)101Destructive-device manufacturer (10)21Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
October 2023All types3,384Dealer (01)2,418Manufacturer (07)730Importer (08)86Ammunition manufacturer (06)100Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
September 2023All types3,396Dealer (01)2,431Manufacturer (07)728Importer (08)86Ammunition manufacturer (06)99Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
August 2023All types3,405Dealer (01)2,443Manufacturer (07)724Importer (08)86Ammunition manufacturer (06)100Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
July 2023All types3,381Dealer (01)2,428Manufacturer (07)715Importer (08)86Ammunition manufacturer (06)100Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)18Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
June 2023All types3,398Dealer (01)2,455Manufacturer (07)707Importer (08)86Ammunition manufacturer (06)100Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
May 2023All types3,399Dealer (01)2,461Manufacturer (07)702Importer (08)86Ammunition manufacturer (06)100Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
April 2023All types3,398Dealer (01)2,469Manufacturer (07)695Importer (08)86Ammunition manufacturer (06)98Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)17Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
March 2023All types3,389Dealer (01)2,471Manufacturer (07)684Importer (08)86Ammunition manufacturer (06)99Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)16Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
February 2023All types3,396Dealer (01)2,486Manufacturer (07)679Importer (08)83Ammunition manufacturer (06)99Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)16Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
January 2023All types3,389Dealer (01)2,484Manufacturer (07)675Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)100Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
December 2022All types3,389Dealer (01)2,490Manufacturer (07)669Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)100Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
November 2022All types3,378Dealer (01)2,483Manufacturer (07)664Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)101Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
October 2022All types3,363Dealer (01)2,479Manufacturer (07)652Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)102Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
September 2022All types3,369Dealer (01)2,492Manufacturer (07)645Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)102Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
August 2022All types3,366Dealer (01)2,501Manufacturer (07)633Importer (08)82Ammunition manufacturer (06)102Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
July 2022All types3,347Dealer (01)2,497Manufacturer (07)620Importer (08)81Ammunition manufacturer (06)101Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
June 2022All types3,341Dealer (01)2,503Manufacturer (07)607Importer (08)79Ammunition manufacturer (06)103Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)11Pawnbroker (02)1
May 2022All types3,339Dealer (01)2,507Manufacturer (07)597Importer (08)77Ammunition manufacturer (06)106Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)16Destructive-device dealer (09)11Pawnbroker (02)1
April 2022All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not availableDestructive-device dealer (09)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not available
March 2022All types3,313Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)2,501Manufacturer (07)580Importer (08)75Ammunition manufacturer (06)105Destructive-device manufacturer (10)25Destructive-device importer (11)16Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
February 2022All types3,308Dealer (01)2,501Manufacturer (07)576Importer (08)75Ammunition manufacturer (06)104Destructive-device manufacturer (10)25Destructive-device importer (11)16Destructive-device dealer (09)10Pawnbroker (02)1
January 2022All types3,297Dealer (01)2,497Manufacturer (07)569Importer (08)75Ammunition manufacturer (06)105Destructive-device manufacturer (10)26Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
December 2021All types3,280Dealer (01)2,491Manufacturer (07)562Importer (08)72Ammunition manufacturer (06)104Destructive-device manufacturer (10)26Destructive-device importer (11)15Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
November 2021All types3,277Dealer (01)2,494Manufacturer (07)555Importer (08)72Ammunition manufacturer (06)107Destructive-device manufacturer (10)25Destructive-device importer (11)14Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
October 2021All types3,256Dealer (01)2,483Manufacturer (07)548Importer (08)72Ammunition manufacturer (06)106Destructive-device manufacturer (10)24Destructive-device importer (11)13Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
September 2021All types3,257Dealer (01)2,489Manufacturer (07)545Importer (08)72Ammunition manufacturer (06)105Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)13Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
August 2021All types3,232Dealer (01)2,478Manufacturer (07)534Importer (08)70Ammunition manufacturer (06)104Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)13Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
July 2021All types3,246Dealer (01)2,493Manufacturer (07)535Importer (08)70Ammunition manufacturer (06)102Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)13Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
June 2021All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not availableDestructive-device dealer (09)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not available
May 2021All types3,209Sum of 8 reported license typesDealer (01)2,489Manufacturer (07)513Importer (08)63Ammunition manufacturer (06)99Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)12Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
April 2021All types3,204Dealer (01)2,488Manufacturer (07)510Importer (08)62Ammunition manufacturer (06)99Destructive-device manufacturer (10)23Destructive-device importer (11)12Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
March 2021All types3,184Dealer (01)2,482Manufacturer (07)502Importer (08)59Ammunition manufacturer (06)98Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
February 2021All types3,171Dealer (01)2,477Manufacturer (07)499Importer (08)56Ammunition manufacturer (06)96Destructive-device manufacturer (10)22Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
January 2021All types3,159Dealer (01)2,481Manufacturer (07)488Importer (08)54Ammunition manufacturer (06)95Destructive-device manufacturer (10)21Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device dealer (09)9Pawnbroker (02)1
Cite a figure from this section (9)

How many background checks does Pennsylvania run?

The FBI’s background check system (NICS) logged 1,083,778 checks in Pennsylvania in 2025, down 2.3% from 2024. Permit checks were 33.5% of them, and a permit check is not a purchase. From January through August 2026 the count was 735,966, against 682,294 a year earlier. [4]

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

2025: 1,083,778 · 2024: 1,109,012 · 2.3% fewer

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

  • 1,083,778firearm background checks in Pennsylvania in 2025, 362,926 of them permit checksFBI NICS · 2025 · sum of 12 monthly totalsCite

What the checks were for, 2025

  1. Handgun456,477 42.1%
  2. Permit362,923 33.5%
  3. Long gun251,396 23.2%
  4. Returned handgun9,011 0.8%
  5. Administrative2,773 0.3%
  6. Returned long gun1,034 0.1%
  7. All other types164 <0.1%

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, Pennsylvania counts by type, 2025. The types add up to the year’s 1,083,778 checks.

Show every year and month
FBI NICS background checks in Pennsylvania by year
YearChecks
2025Checks1,083,778
2024Checks1,109,012
2023Checks1,154,761
2022Checks1,229,129
2021Checks1,408,165
2020Checks1,452,921
2019Checks987,886
2018Checks1,021,943
2017Checks1,062,651
2016Checks1,143,220
2015Checks993,429
2014Checks899,241
Earlier years, 1999–2013
FBI NICS background checks in Pennsylvania by year, 1999–2013
YearChecks
2013Checks1,044,731
2012Checks968,534
2011Checks718,934
2010Checks626,677
2009Checks641,696
2008Checks598,544
2007Checks562,603
2006Checks520,454
2005Checks482,977
2004Checks504,813
2003Checks515,896
2002Checks567,702
2001Checks509,881
2000Checks481,294
1999Checks541,555
FBI NICS background checks in Pennsylvania by month
MonthChecks
August 2026Checks88,754
July 2026Checks82,856
June 2026Checks83,252
May 2026Checks85,277
April 2026Checks96,065
March 2026Checks113,864
February 2026Checks94,405
January 2026Checks91,493
December 2025Checks100,149
November 2025Checks99,090
October 2025Checks105,214
September 2025Checks97,031
August 2025Checks87,607
July 2025Checks81,871
June 2025Checks80,856
May 2025Checks79,736
April 2025Checks83,373
March 2025Checks95,751
February 2025Checks84,547
January 2025Checks88,553
December 2024Checks102,804
November 2024Checks104,766
October 2024Checks99,323
September 2024Checks87,592
Earlier months, November 1998 – August 2024
FBI NICS background checks in Pennsylvania by month, November 1998 – August 2024
MonthChecks
August 2024Checks90,983
July 2024Checks81,027
June 2024Checks75,594
May 2024Checks81,703
April 2024Checks92,911
March 2024Checks109,990
February 2024Checks96,517
January 2024Checks85,802
December 2023Checks107,048
November 2023Checks105,129
October 2023Checks100,813
September 2023Checks82,073
August 2023Checks84,378
July 2023Checks76,555
June 2023Checks84,403
May 2023Checks87,799
April 2023Checks97,960
March 2023Checks122,065
February 2023Checks104,827
January 2023Checks101,711
December 2022Checks115,360
November 2022Checks106,439
October 2022Checks100,930
September 2022Checks95,909
August 2022Checks97,000
July 2022Checks93,961
June 2022Checks104,824
May 2022Checks88,898
April 2022Checks102,997
March 2022Checks124,456
February 2022Checks105,057
January 2022Checks93,298
December 2021Checks120,487
November 2021Checks109,089
October 2021Checks110,047
September 2021Checks101,592
August 2021Checks103,036
July 2021Checks99,708
June 2021Checks100,422
May 2021Checks102,373
April 2021Checks132,512
March 2021Checks154,301
February 2021Checks114,482
January 2021Checks160,116
December 2020Checks126,942
November 2020Checks149,401
October 2020Checks145,680
September 2020Checks134,626
August 2020Checks131,205
July 2020Checks142,966
June 2020Checks151,738
May 2020Checks87,752
April 2020Checks76,134
March 2020Checks125,013
February 2020Checks93,240
January 2020Checks88,224
December 2019Checks96,382
November 2019Checks92,011
October 2019Checks86,066
September 2019Checks77,630
August 2019Checks83,346
July 2019Checks66,052
June 2019Checks66,423
May 2019Checks72,244
April 2019Checks79,853
March 2019Checks105,892
February 2019Checks84,567
January 2019Checks77,420
December 2018Checks98,737
November 2018Checks93,168
October 2018Checks80,946
September 2018Checks70,420
August 2018Checks74,944
July 2018Checks66,391
June 2018Checks71,106
May 2018Checks75,296
April 2018Checks91,401
March 2018Checks123,031
February 2018Checks98,075
January 2018Checks78,428
December 2017Checks107,730
November 2017Checks104,479
October 2017Checks87,064
September 2017Checks77,003
August 2017Checks79,020
July 2017Checks73,654
June 2017Checks76,201
May 2017Checks79,725
April 2017Checks85,908
March 2017Checks110,334
February 2017Checks95,585
January 2017Checks85,948
December 2016Checks111,913
November 2016Checks118,378
October 2016Checks103,095
September 2016Checks86,424
August 2016Checks86,652
July 2016Checks86,137
June 2016Checks80,806
May 2016Checks70,244
April 2016Checks88,140
March 2016Checks105,145
February 2016Checks104,116
January 2016Checks102,170
December 2015Checks153,826
November 2015Checks103,836
October 2015Checks82,552
September 2015Checks70,156
August 2015Checks69,162
July 2015Checks65,250
June 2015Checks64,122
May 2015Checks62,676
April 2015Checks74,820
March 2015Checks92,329
February 2015Checks81,379
January 2015Checks73,321
December 2014Checks95,384
November 2014Checks87,572
October 2014Checks83,119
September 2014Checks71,450
August 2014Checks67,743
July 2014Checks59,582
June 2014Checks56,296
May 2014Checks63,261
April 2014Checks74,553
March 2014Checks93,402
February 2014Checks76,916
January 2014Checks69,963
December 2013Checks87,441
November 2013Checks88,985
October 2013Checks79,205
September 2013Checks70,015
August 2013Checks70,687
July 2013Checks60,876
June 2013Checks61,992
May 2013Checks70,882
April 2013Checks90,995
March 2013Checks114,209
February 2013Checks113,841
January 2013Checks135,603
December 2012Checks133,241
November 2012Checks99,829
October 2012Checks79,821
September 2012Checks72,565
August 2012Checks75,174
July 2012Checks64,227
June 2012Checks60,533
May 2012Checks62,343
April 2012Checks71,690
March 2012Checks93,005
February 2012Checks89,424
January 2012Checks66,682
December 2011Checks84,456
November 2011Checks73,684
October 2011Checks63,135
September 2011Checks58,671
August 2011Checks54,953
July 2011Checks45,686
June 2011Checks46,403
May 2011Checks48,401
April 2011Checks62,023
March 2011Checks72,258
February 2011Checks60,141
January 2011Checks49,123
December 2010Checks63,510
November 2010Checks67,443
October 2010Checks57,446
September 2010Checks52,002
August 2010Checks47,362
July 2010Checks43,054
June 2010Checks43,153
May 2010Checks41,779
April 2010Checks50,249
March 2010Checks65,871
February 2010Checks47,352
January 2010Checks47,456
December 2009Checks56,361
November 2009Checks60,101
October 2009Checks56,079
September 2009Checks50,424
August 2009Checks44,917
July 2009Checks42,862
June 2009Checks43,428
May 2009Checks45,804
April 2009Checks59,806
March 2009Checks69,675
February 2009Checks57,544
January 2009Checks54,695
December 2008Checks67,891
November 2008Checks78,828
October 2008Checks55,218
September 2008Checks46,220
August 2008Checks41,911
July 2008Checks38,271
June 2008Checks36,218
May 2008Checks40,630
April 2008Checks45,947
March 2008Checks56,009
February 2008Checks46,646
January 2008Checks44,755
December 2007Checks53,595
November 2007Checks55,819
October 2007Checks52,339
September 2007Checks45,849
August 2007Checks47,292
July 2007Checks38,988
June 2007Checks40,403
May 2007Checks38,977
April 2007Checks45,337
March 2007Checks55,043
February 2007Checks43,391
January 2007Checks45,570
December 2006Checks59,565
November 2006Checks56,941
October 2006Checks49,449
September 2006Checks46,540
August 2006Checks38,133
July 2006Checks31,458
June 2006Checks33,260
May 2006Checks34,441
April 2006Checks39,155
March 2006Checks50,469
February 2006Checks41,779
January 2006Checks39,264
December 2005Checks50,324
November 2005Checks51,365
October 2005Checks44,662
September 2005Checks41,556
August 2005Checks35,736
July 2005Checks32,467
June 2005Checks31,555
May 2005Checks32,401
April 2005Checks40,417
March 2005Checks48,806
February 2005Checks39,452
January 2005Checks34,236
December 2004Checks51,249
November 2004Checks54,967
October 2004Checks49,783
September 2004Checks41,867
August 2004Checks36,989
July 2004Checks34,235
June 2004Checks32,506
May 2004Checks32,281
April 2004Checks41,282
March 2004Checks50,690
February 2004Checks40,847
January 2004Checks38,117
December 2003Checks48,979
November 2003Checks55,272
October 2003Checks51,311
September 2003Checks43,833
August 2003Checks38,578
July 2003Checks32,286
June 2003Checks32,905
May 2003Checks37,419
April 2003Checks42,563
March 2003Checks52,909
February 2003Checks40,231
January 2003Checks39,610
December 2002Checks50,909
November 2002Checks62,360
October 2002Checks58,871
September 2002Checks47,875
August 2002Checks44,403
July 2002Checks38,259
June 2002Checks36,303
May 2002Checks40,223
April 2002Checks46,684
March 2002Checks54,478
February 2002Checks44,417
January 2002Checks42,920
December 2001Checks57,465
November 2001Checks63,805
October 2001Checks63,468
September 2001Checks49,455
August 2001Checks35,334
July 2001Checks28,635
June 2001Checks29,275
May 2001Checks30,679
April 2001Checks36,360
March 2001Checks44,975
February 2001Checks36,228
January 2001Checks34,202
December 2000Checks45,608
November 2000Checks54,089
October 2000Checks48,477
September 2000Checks41,872
August 2000Checks34,999
July 2000Checks31,171
June 2000Checks31,442
May 2000Checks32,796
April 2000Checks39,189
March 2000Checks48,600
February 2000Checks37,931
January 2000Checks35,120
December 1999Checks57,974
November 1999Checks66,033
October 1999Checks56,297
September 1999Checks45,129
August 1999Checks43,037
July 1999Checks35,319
June 1999Checks34,503
May 1999Checks36,831
April 1999Checks43,248
March 1999Checks51,500
February 1999Checks39,417
January 1999Checks32,267
December 1998Checks48,300
November 1998Checks17Partial month: NICS began on November 30, 1998
Cite a figure from this section (14)

What does Pennsylvania export?

Firearm and ammunition exports that started their trip in Pennsylvania came to $15.0 million in 2025, across 4 product groups. Cartridges and parts were 77.1% of that. [7]

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

2025: $15,031,650 · 2024: $17,003,986 · 11.6% 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. Cartridges and parts$11,587,758
  2. Rifles$1,887,085
  3. Shotgun shells and parts$1,342,180
  4. Other explosive-charge firearms$214,627

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Pennsylvania, 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. United Arab Emirates$2,696,244
  2. Canada$2,137,544
  3. Ukraine$2,004,072
  4. South Africa$1,090,326
  5. Switzerland$976,828
  6. Moldova$816,671
  7. Poland$683,487
  8. Finland$594,701

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from Pennsylvania, 2025. USA Arms adds up every month and product group Census reported for each destination; 44 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 Pennsylvania, product groups added up by USA Arms
YearExports
2025Exports$15,031,6504 product families
2024Exports$17,003,9867 product families
2023Exports$18,542,7776 product families
2022Exports$140,856,108
2021Exports$6,444,7775 product families
2020Exports$12,151,5166 product families
2019Exports$12,941,636
2018Exports$28,425,637
2017Exports$13,924,098
2016Exports$46,547,5127 product families
2015Exports$14,265,8946 product families
2014Exports$5,487,9895 product families
Earlier years, 2010–2013
Firearm and ammunition exports from Pennsylvania, product groups added up by USA Arms, 2010–2013
YearExports
2013Exports$4,006,2964 product families
2012Exports$15,489,7176 product families
2011Exports$8,500,4655 product families
2010Exports$5,855,8077 product families
Cite a figure from this section (13)

How many hunting licenses does Pennsylvania certify?

Pennsylvania certified 1,031,218 paid hunting-license holders for license year 2024. Hunters bought 2,576,648 resident and 134,353 nonresident licenses, for $43,051,513 in all. A holder is one certification, not one person: someone licensed in two states counts in each. [3]

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

2024: 1,031,218 · 2023: 1,016,946 · 1.4% more

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

  • 1,031,218paid hunting-license holders Pennsylvania certified for license year 2024; the high was 1,313,191 in 1981USFWS certifications · 2024 · PennsylvaniaCite
Show all 69 years
Hunting licenses certified by Pennsylvania
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2024Paid license holders1,031,218Resident licenses2,576,648Nonresident licenses134,353Gross cost$43,051,513
2023Paid license holders1,016,946Resident licenses2,478,674Nonresident licenses125,413Gross cost$42,089,401
2022Paid license holders981,320Resident licenses2,433,271Nonresident licenses120,937Gross cost$41,928,813
2021Paid license holders953,903Resident licenses2,448,930Nonresident licenses125,251Gross cost$42,569,391
2020Paid license holders929,327Resident licenses2,407,005Nonresident licenses125,251Gross cost$40,454,476
2019Paid license holders945,731Resident licenses2,299,595Nonresident licenses109,096Gross cost$37,854,162
2018Paid license holders930,815Resident licenses2,537,824Nonresident licenses108,896Gross cost$36,873,199
2017Paid license holders956,163Resident licenses2,526,957Nonresident licenses103,431Gross cost$37,061,112
2016Paid license holders975,650Resident licenses2,468,652Nonresident licenses101,278Gross cost$36,431,816
2015Paid license holders984,637Resident licenses2,279,266Nonresident licenses98,959Gross cost$37,099,197
2014Paid license holders980,613Resident licenses2,559,162Nonresident licenses105,211Gross cost$37,098,180
2013Paid license holders969,633Resident licenses2,538,755Nonresident licenses104,188Gross costWithheld
Earlier years, 1956–2012
Hunting licenses certified by Pennsylvania, 1956–2012
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2012Paid license holders964,714Resident licenses2,564,210Nonresident licenses104,732Gross costWithheld
2011Paid license holders968,735Resident licenses2,329,571Nonresident licenses98,315Gross costWithheld
2010Paid license holders970,217Resident licenses2,560,686Nonresident licenses107,863Gross costWithheld
2009Paid license holders927,655Resident licenses2,420,482Nonresident licenses106,103Gross costWithheld
2008Paid license holders925,885Resident licenses2,423,730Nonresident licenses112,646Gross costWithheld
2007Paid license holders943,222Resident licenses2,444,455Nonresident licenses118,305Gross costWithheld
2006Paid license holders981,124Resident licenses2,498,414Nonresident licenses123,913Gross costWithheld
2005Paid license holders1,006,293Resident licenses2,688,120Nonresident licenses140,078Gross costWithheld
2004Paid license holders1,018,664Resident licenses2,581,408Nonresident licenses137,216Gross costWithheld
2003Paid license holders1,017,802Resident licenses2,660,174Nonresident licenses131,249Gross costWithheld
2002Paid license holders1,048,731Resident licenses2,398,471Nonresident licenses122,202Gross costWithheld
2001Paid license holders1,017,802Resident licenses2,660,174Nonresident licenses131,249Gross costWithheld
2000Paid license holders1,048,731Resident licenses2,398,471Nonresident licenses122,202Gross cost$38,783,350
1999Paid license holders1,034,804Resident licenses2,413,839Nonresident licenses122,055Gross cost$38,301,549
1998Paid license holders1,028,297Resident licenses2,292,915Nonresident licenses117,504Gross cost$37,214,152
1997Paid license holders1,071,955Resident licenses2,391,452Nonresident licenses129,104Gross cost$25,769,926
1996Paid license holders1,066,032Resident licenses2,311,373Nonresident licenses120,525Gross cost$25,038,856
1995Paid license holders1,091,568Resident licenses2,472,535Nonresident licenses129,559Gross cost$26,214,612
1994Paid license holders1,112,964Resident licenses2,286,733Nonresident licenses121,035Gross cost$26,096,477
1993Paid license holders1,138,343Resident licenses2,311,409Nonresident licenses122,148Gross cost$26,415,516
1992Paid license holders1,149,426Resident licenses2,283,749Nonresident licenses128,435Gross cost$26,421,194
1991Paid license holders1,173,428Resident licenses2,295,172Nonresident licenses129,575Gross cost$26,852,582
1990Paid license holders1,170,602Resident licenses2,407,866Nonresident licenses129,545Gross cost$27,525,501
1989Paid license holders1,170,119Resident licenses2,381,196Nonresident licenses133,664Gross cost$27,014,200
1988Paid license holders1,168,137Resident licenses2,229,960Nonresident licenses122,497Gross cost$26,163,713
1987Paid license holders1,174,424Resident licenses2,221,570Nonresident licenses112,020Gross cost$26,064,845
1986Paid license holders1,180,175Resident licenses2,102,108Nonresident licenses120,009Gross cost$25,168,089
1985Paid license holders1,173,841Resident licenses2,078,771Nonresident licenses90,783Gross cost$24,035,936
1984Paid license holders1,167,837Resident licenses2,067,213Nonresident licenses85,276Gross cost$23,611,218
1983Paid license holders1,222,108Resident licenses2,065,565Nonresident licenses100,862Gross cost$16,639,057
1982Paid license holders1,271,634Resident licenses2,193,468Nonresident licenses104,902Gross cost$17,422,850
1981Paid license holders1,313,191Resident licenses2,083,429Nonresident licenses124,490Gross cost$14,828,523
1980Paid license holders1,312,403Resident licenses2,158,926Nonresident licenses110,335Gross cost$17,216,608
1979Paid license holders1,301,331Resident licenses2,002,658Nonresident licenses94,029Gross cost$16,573,772
1978Paid license holders1,274,763Resident licenses1,928,082Nonresident licenses96,762Gross cost$15,727,926
1977Paid license holders1,279,814Resident licenses1,829,494Nonresident licenses103,557Gross cost$14,897,767
1976Paid license holders1,286,248Resident licenses1,899,007Nonresident licenses101,968Gross cost$15,063,058
1975Paid license holders1,281,177Resident licenses1,856,341Nonresident licenses100,450Gross cost$14,885,431
1974Paid license holders1,281,323Resident licenses1,837,286Nonresident licenses101,619Gross cost$14,795,678
1973Paid license holders1,245,740Resident licenses1,748,814Nonresident licenses94,825Gross cost$14,185,508
1972Paid license holders1,186,499Resident licenses1,647,136Nonresident licenses87,478Gross cost$13,086,467
1971Paid license holders1,141,385Resident licenses1,545,855Nonresident licenses76,503Gross cost$11,106,557
1970Paid license holders1,122,399Resident licenses1,544,848Nonresident licenses70,261Gross cost$8,508,467
1969Paid license holders1,166,634Resident licenses1,573,943Nonresident licenses109,779Gross cost$8,587,242
1968Paid license holders1,134,316Resident licenses1,573,129Nonresident licenses109,435Gross cost$8,444,985
1967Paid license holders1,102,749Resident licenses1,654,089Nonresident licenses98,371Gross cost$8,108,195
1966Paid license holders1,062,121Resident licenses1,539,952Nonresident licenses80,481Gross cost$7,455,375
1965Paid license holders995,190Resident licenses1,397,878Nonresident licenses69,898Gross cost$6,219,112
1964Paid license holders955,234Resident licenses1,234,683Nonresident licenses60,263Gross cost$6,352,191
1963Paid license holders917,824Resident licenses868,972Nonresident licenses49,798Gross cost$5,501,826
1962Paid license holders862,603Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1961Paid license holders976,844Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1960Paid license holders981,527Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1959Paid license holders996,867Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1958Paid license holders990,226Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1957Paid license holders987,044Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1956Paid license holders969,692Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
Cite a figure from this section (5)

How much conservation money does Pennsylvania receive?

Wildlife Restoration apportioned $30,594,626 to Pennsylvania for fiscal 2026, 7.5% less than fiscal 2025. The record was $41,067,392 in fiscal 2023. The money comes from federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery gear. [3]

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

FY 2026: $30,594,626 · FY 2025: $33,061,757 · 7.5% less

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

  • $30,594,626apportioned to Pennsylvania for fiscal 2026 through Wildlife Restoration, including hunter education; the high was $41,067,392 for fiscal 2023USFWS · FY 2026 · PennsylvaniaCite
Show all 88 fiscal years
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Pennsylvania
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2026Apportioned$30,594,626
FY 2025Apportioned$33,061,757
FY 2024Apportioned$34,519,186
FY 2023Apportioned$41,067,392
FY 2022Apportioned$38,340,930
FY 2021Apportioned$23,776,074
FY 2020Apportioned$20,931,244
FY 2019Apportioned$23,560,142
FY 2018Apportioned$28,157,633
FY 2017Apportioned$27,913,408
FY 2016Apportioned$24,948,408
FY 2015Apportioned$29,542,027
Earlier fiscal years, FY 1939–FY 2014
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to Pennsylvania, FY 1939–FY 2014
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2014Apportioned$27,975,344
FY 2013Apportioned$19,158,429
FY 2012Apportioned$13,364,999
FY 2011Apportioned$13,444,246
FY 2010Apportioned$17,020,573
FY 2009Apportioned$12,236,088
FY 2008Apportioned$11,453,294
FY 2007Apportioned$10,084,079
FY 2006Apportioned$8,774,312
FY 2005Apportioned$8,980,993
FY 2004Apportioned$7,837,535
FY 2003Apportioned$8,020,697
FY 2002Apportioned$7,047,696
FY 2001Apportioned$7,872,824
FY 2000Apportioned$7,602,373
FY 1999Apportioned$6,582,874
FY 1998Apportioned$6,170,696
FY 1997Apportioned$6,709,212
FY 1996Apportioned$8,115,497
FY 1995Apportioned$8,546,600
FY 1994Apportioned$7,256,769
FY 1993Apportioned$6,281,908
FY 1992Apportioned$6,048,987
FY 1991Apportioned$6,289,946
FY 1990Apportioned$4,731,585
FY 1989Apportioned$4,813,433
FY 1988Apportioned$4,452,296
FY 1987Apportioned$4,453,230
FY 1986Apportioned$4,560,616
FY 1985Apportioned$3,344,127
FY 1984Apportioned$3,675,794
FY 1983Apportioned$4,427,270
FY 1982Apportioned$4,898,676
FY 1981Apportioned$3,423,489
FY 1980Apportioned$3,765,135
FY 1979Apportioned$3,465,959
FY 1978Apportioned$2,635,093
FY 1977Apportioned$3,430,486
FY 1976Apportioned$2,328,906
FY 1975Apportioned$2,170,095
FY 1974Apportioned$1,915,982
FY 1973Apportioned$1,649,787
FY 1972Apportioned$1,390,431
FY 1971Apportioned$1,262,918
FY 1970Apportioned$1,280,102
FY 1969Apportioned$1,175,477
FY 1968Apportioned$1,002,973
FY 1967Apportioned$868,659
FY 1966Apportioned$681,910
FY 1965Apportioned$659,727
FY 1964Apportioned$708,182
FY 1963Apportioned$540,101
FY 1962Apportioned$541,197
FY 1961Apportioned$558,481
FY 1960Apportioned$590,598
FY 1959Apportioned$636,910
FY 1958Apportioned$672,441
FY 1957Apportioned$638,191
FY 1956Apportioned$560,762
FY 1955Apportioned$375,395
FY 1954Apportioned$443,960
FY 1953Apportioned$402,528
FY 1952Apportioned$695,900
FY 1951Apportioned$354,723
FY 1950Apportioned$431,889
FY 1949Apportioned$456,501
FY 1948Apportioned$344,643
FY 1947Apportioned$100,613
FY 1946Apportioned$40,564
FY 1945Apportioned$38,417
FY 1944Apportioned$43,646
FY 1943Apportioned$57,372
FY 1942Apportioned$130,084
FY 1941Apportioned$119,219
FY 1940Apportioned$72,400
FY 1939Apportioned$46,026
Cite a figure from this section (2)

How does Pennsylvania compare?

Pennsylvania ranks 19th for firearms made, 3rd for license records, 6th for small arms jobs, 16th for job concentration, 2nd for hunting license holders and 3rd 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$16.1MKentuckyKY613K1.44K9442.97316K$14MLouisianaLA4.79K1.29K451K$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$20.1MRhode 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$14.4MPennsylvaniaPA95.6K3.24K1.2K1.241.03M$30.6M
  • 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 Pennsylvania

Research with Pennsylvania figures

  1. Who makes America's guns?Inside: Pennsylvania’s largest filings each year · compare Pennsylvania 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: Pennsylvania’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: Pennsylvania’s license mix against the U.S. · compare Pennsylvania with another state
  5. Where are hunting licenses most common?Inside: Pennsylvania’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, 1990–2025www.bls.gov
  6. [6] Census Bureau, Economic Census2022 Economic Census, Pennsylvaniawww.census.gov
  7. [7] Census international tradePennsylvania-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.