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South Carolina firearms statistics

How many guns South Carolina 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 South Carolina compares · U.S. statistics · South Carolina directory

  1. 764,904firearms made in South Carolina in 2024, 4th of 50 states and 8.0% of U.S. productionATF · 2024
  2. 1,494federal firearms license records, 20th of 50 statesATF · Aug 2026
  3. 199,114paid hunting-license holders, 35th of 50 statesUSFWS · license year 2024
  4. 350,316FBI background checks in 2025, 25.2% of them for permits. A check is not a saleFBI · 2025, 12 months
  5. 765private jobs making small arms in 2025, paying $79,156 on averageBLS · 2025
  6. $11,071,422Wildlife Restoration apportionment for fiscal 2026, 39th of 50 statesUSFWS · FY 2026
  7. $15.6 millionof firearms and ammunition exported from South Carolina in 2025, across 3 product groupsCensus · 2025, 12 months

How many guns are made in South Carolina?

Plants in South Carolina reported making 764,904 firearms in 2024, down 2.7% from 2023. That is 8.0% of U.S. production, 4th among the states. The high was 786,226 in 2023. [1] See gun manufacturers in South Carolina for the makers listed in our directory.

Firearms manufactured in South Carolina, 2004–2024 firearms

  • Hatched: withheld

2024: 764,904 · 2023: 786,226 · 2.7% fewer

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

  • 764,904firearms reported by plants in South Carolina for 2024, 8.0% of U.S. production; 786,226 for 2023ATF AFMER · calendar year 2024 · South CarolinaCite

What South Carolina makes

Pistols were 35.1% of South Carolina production in 2024.

  1. Pistols268,672 35.1%
  2. Rifles163,296 21.3%
  3. Shotguns749 0.1%
  4. Revolvers31 <0.1%

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

Largest filings in South Carolina, 2024

Each row is one plant’s ATF filing. Names appear as filed and are not yet matched to manufacturer pages. South Carolina had 67 filings in 2024.

Largest filings, 2024
#FilingPlant cityFirearms, 2024Share of South Carolina
1Palmetto State Armory, LLCWest Columbia · 50.4%West Columbia385,30450.4%
2DC Machine LLCSummerville · 21.0%Summerville160,82521.0%
3FN America, LLCColumbia · 15.8%Columbia120,76815.8%
4American Tactical Inc.Summerville · 8.3%Summerville63,2998.3%
5JJE - H&R, LLCWest Columbia · 0.8%West Columbia6,4800.8%
6Palmetto State Armory LLCMyrtle Beach · 0.6%Myrtle Beach4,8210.6%
7Palmetto State Armory LLCSummerville · 0.6%Summerville4,3720.6%
8PTR Industries Inc.Aynor · 0.5%Aynor4,1570.5%
9Grit Grips LLCNorth Charleston · 0.4%North Charleston2,9800.4%
10Lead Star Ltd CoWest Columbia · 0.4%West Columbia2,9720.4%

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

Production by city

Summerville has the most filings (7), and West Columbia reported the most firearms.

  1. West Columbia394,767 4 filings
  2. Summerville228,530 7 filings
  3. Columbia120,830 6 filings
  4. Myrtle Beach4,840 2 filings
  5. Aynor4,157 1 filing
  6. North Charleston2,980 1 filing
  7. Charleston2,830 2 filings
  8. Prosperity2,053 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 South Carolina, in all and by type
YearFirearms madePistolsRiflesShotgunsRevolvers
2024Firearms made764,904Pistols268,672Sum of 67 filingsRifles163,296Sum of 67 filingsShotguns749Sum of 67 filingsRevolvers31Sum of 67 filings
2023Firearms made786,226Pistols242,892Sum of 59 filingsRifles171,453Sum of 59 filingsShotguns1,111Sum of 59 filingsRevolvers39Sum of 59 filings
2022Firearms madeWithheldPistolsNot reportedRiflesNot reportedShotgunsNot reportedRevolversNot reported
2021Firearms made240,114Pistols159,065Sum of 55 filingsRifles64,769Sum of 55 filingsShotguns913Sum of 55 filingsRevolvers6Sum of 55 filings
2020Firearms made589,819Pistols158,467Sum of 50 filingsRifles109,161Sum of 50 filingsShotguns2,227Sum of 50 filingsRevolvers51Sum of 50 filings
2019Firearms made475,058Pistols97,535Sum of 37 filingsRifles85,634Sum of 37 filingsShotguns1,663Sum of 37 filingsRevolvers3Sum of 37 filings
2018Firearms made393,311Pistols79,117Sum of 44 filingsRifles65,741Sum of 44 filingsShotguns3,117Sum of 44 filingsRevolvers1Sum of 44 filings
2017Firearms made300,340Pistols70,118Sum of 41 filingsRifles95,724Sum of 41 filingsShotguns1,434Sum of 41 filingsRevolvers1Sum of 41 filings
2016Firearms made265,299Pistols6,057Sum of 36 filingsRifles119,335Sum of 36 filingsShotguns2,017Sum of 36 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 36 filings
2015Firearms made224,301Pistols38,294Sum of 34 filingsRifles87,858Sum of 34 filingsShotguns2Sum of 34 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 34 filings
2014Firearms made183,743Pistols46,333Sum of 27 filingsRifles59,716Sum of 27 filingsShotguns2Sum of 27 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 27 filings
2013Firearms made241,350Pistols110,324Sum of 30 filingsRifles66,129Sum of 30 filingsShotguns0Sum of 30 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 30 filings
Earlier years, 2004–2012
Firearms made in South Carolina, in all and by type, 2004–2012
YearFirearms madePistolsRiflesShotgunsRevolvers
2012Firearms made137,657Pistols56,165Sum of 24 filingsRifles53,209Sum of 24 filingsShotguns0Sum of 24 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 24 filings
2011Firearms made80,686Pistols37,709Sum of 18 filingsRifles42,473Sum of 18 filingsShotguns6Sum of 18 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 18 filings
2010Firearms made44,308Pistols19,389Sum of 11 filingsRifles24,633Sum of 11 filingsShotguns0Sum of 11 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 11 filings
2009Firearms made39,514Pistols17,530Sum of 7 filingsRifles21,984Sum of 7 filingsShotguns0Sum of 7 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 7 filings
2008Firearms made17,468Pistols11,829Sum of 11 filingsRifles5,639Sum of 11 filingsShotguns0Sum of 11 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 11 filings
2007Firearms made19,054Pistols18,889Sum of 5 filingsRifles142Sum of 5 filingsShotguns0Sum of 5 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 5 filings
2006Firearms made11,636Pistols11,636Sum of 2 filingsRifles0Sum of 2 filingsShotguns0Sum of 2 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 2 filings
2005Firearms made2,179Pistols2,178Rifles1Shotguns0Revolvers0
2004Firearms made828Pistols651Sum of 3 filingsRifles177Sum of 3 filingsShotguns0Sum of 3 filingsRevolvers0Sum of 3 filings
Cite a figure from this section (24)

How many people make firearms in South Carolina?

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories makers (industry code NAICS 332994) in South Carolina had 765 jobs at 23 establishments in 2025. Average pay was $79,156 a year. The most since 2022 was 820 in 2024. [5]

Private employment in small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing, South Carolina, 2002–2025 jobs, annual average

2025: 765 · 2024: 820 · 6.7% fewer

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

  • 765private jobs making small arms, ordnance and accessories in South Carolina at 23 establishments, paying $79,156 on averageBLS QCEW · 2025 annual average · South CarolinaCite
  • 2.06job concentration (location quotient): small arms manufacturing is 2.1 times as large a share of South Carolina jobs as of U.S. jobsBLS QCEW · 2025 · NAICS 332994Cite
  • $192,214,000shipped by 7 small arms plants with 949 employees and a $59,682,000 payrollEconomic Census · 2022 · NAICS 332994Cite

Counties with the most small arms plants, 2025

  1. Horry County3 establishments
  2. Greenville County3 establishments
  3. Richland County2 establishments
  4. Lexington County2 establishments
  5. Charleston County2 establishments
  6. Aiken County1 establishment
  7. Kershaw County1 establishment
  8. Anderson 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 24 years · jobs, pay and plants
Jobs and pay, 2025, private employers
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)Ammunition (332992)
JobsSmall arms (332994)765Ammunition (332992)Not published
Average annual paySmall arms (332994)$79,156Ammunition (332992)Not published
Total wagesSmall arms (332994)$60,561,213Ammunition (332992)Not published
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)23Ammunition (332992)2

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

Establishments, shipments and payroll, 2022 Economic Census
MeasureSmall arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)Ammunition (332992)
EstablishmentsSmall arms (332994)7Ammunition (332992)Withheld
EmployeesSmall arms (332994)949Ammunition (332992)Withheld
Value of shipmentsSmall arms (332994)$192,214,000Ammunition (332992)Withheld
Value addedSmall arms (332994)WithheldAmmunition (332992)Withheld
Annual payrollSmall arms (332994)$59,682,000Ammunition (332992)Withheld

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

Private small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs by year, South Carolina
YearJobs
2025Jobs765
2024Jobs820
2023Jobs784
2022Jobs743
2021Jobs746
2020Jobs662
2019Jobs600
2018Jobs622
2017Jobs680
2016JobsNot published
2015JobsNot published
2014JobsNot published
Earlier years, 2002–2013
Private small arms, ordnance and accessories jobs by year, South Carolina, 2002–2013
YearJobs
2013JobsNot published
2012JobsNot published
2011JobsNot published
2010JobsNot published
2009JobsNot published
2008JobsNot published
2007JobsNot published
2006JobsNot published
2005JobsNot published
2004JobsNot published
2003Jobs518
2002Jobs504
Cite a figure from this section (19)

How many federal firearms licenses are there in South Carolina?

ATF’s August 2026 list holds 1,494 license records in South Carolina, 7 fewer than a year earlier. Of those, 811 are dealers and 455 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 South Carolina.

Dealer and manufacturer license records in South Carolina, 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.

  • 1,494federal firearms license records on the August 2026 list, all 7 listed types together; 1,501 a year earlierATF Federal Firearms Listings · August 2026 · South CarolinaCite

License types, August 2026

  1. Dealers (type 01)811 54.3%
  2. Manufacturers (type 07)455 30.5%
  3. Pawnbrokers (type 02)134 9.0%
  4. Importers (type 08)38 2.5%
  5. Ammunition manufacturers (type 06)35 2.3%
  6. Destructive-device importers (type 11)11 0.7%
  7. Destructive-device manufacturers (type 10)10 0.7%

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 South Carolina. They are left out, not counted as zero.

Show all 68 months by type
License records in South Carolina by type, by month
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Pawnbroker (02)Importer (08)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Destructive-device importer (11)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)
August 2026All types1,494Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)811Manufacturer (07)455Pawnbroker (02)134Importer (08)38Ammunition manufacturer (06)35Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
July 2026All types1,508Dealer (01)823Manufacturer (07)458Pawnbroker (02)133Importer (08)38Ammunition manufacturer (06)35Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
June 2026All types1,513Dealer (01)826Manufacturer (07)459Pawnbroker (02)135Importer (08)37Ammunition manufacturer (06)35Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
May 2026All types1,515Dealer (01)828Manufacturer (07)460Pawnbroker (02)135Importer (08)36Ammunition manufacturer (06)35Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
April 2026All types1,507Dealer (01)822Manufacturer (07)458Pawnbroker (02)137Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)36Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
March 2026All types1,497Dealer (01)819Manufacturer (07)451Pawnbroker (02)137Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)36Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
February 2026All types1,498Dealer (01)821Manufacturer (07)449Pawnbroker (02)138Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)36Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
January 2026All types1,493Dealer (01)818Manufacturer (07)447Pawnbroker (02)138Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)36Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
December 2025All types1,493Dealer (01)816Manufacturer (07)447Pawnbroker (02)137Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
November 2025All types1,389Sum of 7 reported license types. Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDealer (01)765Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listManufacturer (07)414Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listPawnbroker (02)119Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listImporter (08)35Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listAmmunition manufacturer (06)37Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device importer (11)9Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this listDestructive-device manufacturer (10)10Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list
October 2025All types1,342Dealer (01)739Manufacturer (07)400Pawnbroker (02)113Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Destructive-device importer (11)9Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9
September 2025All types1,495Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)818Manufacturer (07)444Pawnbroker (02)139Importer (08)36Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
August 2025All types1,501Dealer (01)822Manufacturer (07)444Pawnbroker (02)139Importer (08)37Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
July 2025All types1,497Dealer (01)821Manufacturer (07)438Pawnbroker (02)143Importer (08)37Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
June 2025All types1,481Dealer (01)812Manufacturer (07)434Pawnbroker (02)140Importer (08)37Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
May 2025All types1,481Dealer (01)816Manufacturer (07)431Pawnbroker (02)141Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
April 2025All types1,477Dealer (01)822Manufacturer (07)423Pawnbroker (02)141Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)36Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
March 2025All types1,472Dealer (01)816Manufacturer (07)421Pawnbroker (02)141Importer (08)36Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
February 2025All types1,480Dealer (01)823Manufacturer (07)422Pawnbroker (02)140Importer (08)36Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
January 2025All types1,481Dealer (01)829Manufacturer (07)417Pawnbroker (02)141Importer (08)36Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)10
December 2024All types1,467Dealer (01)823Manufacturer (07)413Pawnbroker (02)140Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9
November 2024All types1,468Dealer (01)825Manufacturer (07)411Pawnbroker (02)140Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9
October 2024All types1,478Dealer (01)829Manufacturer (07)411Pawnbroker (02)145Importer (08)34Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9
September 2024All types1,468Dealer (01)824Manufacturer (07)410Pawnbroker (02)143Importer (08)32Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9
Earlier months, January 2021 – August 2024
License records in South Carolina by type, by month, January 2021 – August 2024
MonthAll listed typesDealer (01)Manufacturer (07)Pawnbroker (02)Importer (08)Ammunition manufacturer (06)Destructive-device importer (11)Destructive-device manufacturer (10)
August 2024All types1,482Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)840Manufacturer (07)408Pawnbroker (02)143Importer (08)31Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9
July 2024All types1,490Dealer (01)840Manufacturer (07)411Pawnbroker (02)145Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)42Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9
June 2024All types1,483Dealer (01)840Manufacturer (07)403Pawnbroker (02)144Importer (08)34Ammunition manufacturer (06)43Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)9
May 2024All types1,478Dealer (01)841Manufacturer (07)396Pawnbroker (02)145Importer (08)34Ammunition manufacturer (06)44Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8
April 2024All types1,487Dealer (01)851Manufacturer (07)392Pawnbroker (02)145Importer (08)34Ammunition manufacturer (06)47Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8
March 2024All types1,484Dealer (01)851Manufacturer (07)388Pawnbroker (02)146Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)46Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8
February 2024All types1,496Dealer (01)863Manufacturer (07)387Pawnbroker (02)147Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)46Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8
January 2024All types1,500Dealer (01)865Manufacturer (07)385Pawnbroker (02)149Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)48Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8
December 2023All types1,502Dealer (01)872Manufacturer (07)382Pawnbroker (02)147Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)48Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8
November 2023All types1,512Dealer (01)883Manufacturer (07)381Pawnbroker (02)145Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)8
October 2023All types1,516Dealer (01)890Manufacturer (07)380Pawnbroker (02)144Importer (08)35Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Destructive-device importer (11)11Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7
September 2023All types1,513Dealer (01)893Manufacturer (07)376Pawnbroker (02)144Importer (08)34Ammunition manufacturer (06)49Destructive-device importer (11)10Destructive-device manufacturer (10)7
August 2023All types1,497Dealer (01)891Manufacturer (07)368Pawnbroker (02)144Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)48Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5
July 2023All types1,495Dealer (01)891Manufacturer (07)367Pawnbroker (02)143Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)48Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5
June 2023All types1,495Dealer (01)894Manufacturer (07)364Pawnbroker (02)145Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)46Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5
May 2023All types1,480Dealer (01)886Manufacturer (07)357Pawnbroker (02)144Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)46Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
April 2023All types1,483Dealer (01)892Manufacturer (07)355Pawnbroker (02)143Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)46Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
March 2023All types1,479Dealer (01)891Manufacturer (07)353Pawnbroker (02)143Importer (08)32Ammunition manufacturer (06)46Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
February 2023All types1,478Dealer (01)892Manufacturer (07)351Pawnbroker (02)144Importer (08)32Ammunition manufacturer (06)45Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
January 2023All types1,475Dealer (01)891Manufacturer (07)348Pawnbroker (02)145Importer (08)32Ammunition manufacturer (06)45Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
December 2022All types1,477Dealer (01)894Manufacturer (07)347Pawnbroker (02)145Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)44Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
November 2022All types1,469Dealer (01)891Manufacturer (07)341Pawnbroker (02)147Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)43Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
October 2022All types1,462Dealer (01)887Manufacturer (07)339Pawnbroker (02)148Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
September 2022All types1,467Dealer (01)892Manufacturer (07)339Pawnbroker (02)148Importer (08)33Ammunition manufacturer (06)41Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
August 2022All types1,463Dealer (01)891Manufacturer (07)339Pawnbroker (02)147Importer (08)32Ammunition manufacturer (06)40Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
July 2022All types1,467Dealer (01)895Manufacturer (07)339Pawnbroker (02)149Importer (08)31Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Destructive-device importer (11)8Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
June 2022All types1,461Dealer (01)896Manufacturer (07)333Pawnbroker (02)149Importer (08)32Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
May 2022All types1,461Dealer (01)895Manufacturer (07)333Pawnbroker (02)149Importer (08)32Ammunition manufacturer (06)39Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
April 2022All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not available
March 2022All types1,456Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)897Manufacturer (07)327Pawnbroker (02)150Importer (08)31Ammunition manufacturer (06)38Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
February 2022All types1,459Dealer (01)899Manufacturer (07)328Pawnbroker (02)151Importer (08)31Ammunition manufacturer (06)37Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
January 2022All types1,440Dealer (01)891Manufacturer (07)320Pawnbroker (02)151Importer (08)31Ammunition manufacturer (06)34Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)6
December 2021All types1,446Dealer (01)896Manufacturer (07)321Pawnbroker (02)153Importer (08)31Ammunition manufacturer (06)33Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5
November 2021All types1,445Dealer (01)892Manufacturer (07)318Pawnbroker (02)160Importer (08)31Ammunition manufacturer (06)32Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5
October 2021All types1,438Dealer (01)892Manufacturer (07)313Pawnbroker (02)158Importer (08)32Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5
September 2021All types1,424Dealer (01)888Manufacturer (07)309Pawnbroker (02)153Importer (08)31Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5
August 2021All types1,408Dealer (01)885Manufacturer (07)300Pawnbroker (02)151Importer (08)29Ammunition manufacturer (06)31Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)5
July 2021All types1,387Dealer (01)878Manufacturer (07)289Pawnbroker (02)151Importer (08)28Ammunition manufacturer (06)30Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4
June 2021All typesNot availableDealer (01)Not availableManufacturer (07)Not availablePawnbroker (02)Not availableImporter (08)Not availableAmmunition manufacturer (06)Not availableDestructive-device importer (11)Not availableDestructive-device manufacturer (10)Not available
May 2021All types1,362Sum of 7 reported license typesDealer (01)876Manufacturer (07)268Pawnbroker (02)153Importer (08)24Ammunition manufacturer (06)30Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4
April 2021All types1,359Dealer (01)873Manufacturer (07)270Pawnbroker (02)152Importer (08)24Ammunition manufacturer (06)29Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4
March 2021All types1,353Dealer (01)876Manufacturer (07)263Pawnbroker (02)152Importer (08)24Ammunition manufacturer (06)27Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4
February 2021All types1,356Dealer (01)879Manufacturer (07)262Pawnbroker (02)154Importer (08)24Ammunition manufacturer (06)26Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4
January 2021All types1,341Dealer (01)876Manufacturer (07)254Pawnbroker (02)153Importer (08)22Ammunition manufacturer (06)25Destructive-device importer (11)7Destructive-device manufacturer (10)4
Cite a figure from this section (8)

How many background checks does South Carolina run?

The FBI’s background check system (NICS) logged 350,316 checks in South Carolina in 2025, down 0.5% from 2024. Permit checks were 25.2% of them, and a permit check is not a purchase. From January through August 2026 the count was 259,071, against 223,233 a year earlier. [4]

FBI NICS background checks in South Carolina per year, 1999–2025 checks

2025: 350,316 · 2024: 352,199 · 0.5% fewer

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

  • 350,316firearm background checks in South Carolina in 2025, 88,159 of them permit checksFBI NICS · 2025 · sum of 12 monthly totalsCite

What the checks were for, 2025

  1. Handgun146,950 41.9%
  2. Long gun81,377 23.2%
  3. Permit81,307 23.2%
  4. Redemption handgun10,019 2.9%
  5. Other firearm9,804 2.8%
  6. Permit recheck6,852 2.0%
  7. All other types14,007 4.0%

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, South Carolina counts by type, 2025. The types add up to the year’s 350,316 checks.

Show every year and month
FBI NICS background checks in South Carolina by year
YearChecks
2025Checks350,316
2024Checks352,199
2023Checks354,615
2022Checks423,098
2021Checks485,487
2020Checks530,930
2019Checks328,221
2018Checks280,749
2017Checks396,920
2016Checks402,978
2015Checks326,997
2014Checks289,764
Earlier years, 1999–2013
FBI NICS background checks in South Carolina by year, 1999–2013
YearChecks
2013Checks335,695
2012Checks308,408
2011Checks229,419
2010Checks201,628
2009Checks214,584
2008Checks184,941
2007Checks150,133
2006Checks148,604
2005Checks141,811
2004Checks124,153
2003Checks121,352
2002Checks121,976
2001Checks132,781
2000Checks128,618
1999Checks145,493
FBI NICS background checks in South Carolina by month
MonthChecks
August 2026Checks35,192
July 2026Checks31,376
June 2026Checks32,236
May 2026Checks31,125
April 2026Checks32,204
March 2026Checks35,717
February 2026Checks34,499
January 2026Checks26,722
December 2025Checks35,821
November 2025Checks32,935
October 2025Checks30,108
September 2025Checks28,219
August 2025Checks27,551
July 2025Checks26,466
June 2025Checks25,103
May 2025Checks27,370
April 2025Checks25,724
March 2025Checks30,192
February 2025Checks30,363
January 2025Checks30,464
December 2024Checks39,471
November 2024Checks34,170
October 2024Checks29,768
September 2024Checks23,227
Earlier months, November 1998 – August 2024
FBI NICS background checks in South Carolina by month, November 1998 – August 2024
MonthChecks
August 2024Checks27,216
July 2024Checks23,436
June 2024Checks24,074
May 2024Checks24,942
April 2024Checks28,815
March 2024Checks37,566
February 2024Checks31,299
January 2024Checks28,215
December 2023Checks37,500
November 2023Checks33,410
October 2023Checks29,020
September 2023Checks26,580
August 2023Checks25,310
July 2023Checks25,186
June 2023Checks28,632
May 2023Checks28,237
April 2023Checks25,103
March 2023Checks33,086
February 2023Checks31,382
January 2023Checks31,169
December 2022Checks46,685
November 2022Checks36,936
October 2022Checks32,379
September 2022Checks34,562
August 2022Checks32,827
July 2022Checks29,866
June 2022Checks35,719
May 2022Checks29,978
April 2022Checks33,686
March 2022Checks42,803
February 2022Checks38,534
January 2022Checks29,123
December 2021Checks42,392
November 2021Checks36,603
October 2021Checks35,878
September 2021Checks35,025
August 2021Checks35,795
July 2021Checks34,420
June 2021Checks36,050
May 2021Checks37,018
April 2021Checks43,879
March 2021Checks55,773
February 2021Checks40,032
January 2021Checks52,622
December 2020Checks49,457
November 2020Checks50,441
October 2020Checks47,060
September 2020Checks41,395
August 2020Checks41,169
July 2020Checks46,905
June 2020Checks55,636
May 2020Checks42,137
April 2020Checks39,327
March 2020Checks50,953
February 2020Checks36,085
January 2020Checks30,365
December 2019Checks37,962
November 2019Checks31,593
October 2019Checks26,707
September 2019Checks23,280
August 2019Checks27,354
July 2019Checks21,886
June 2019Checks23,186
May 2019Checks24,977
April 2019Checks24,607
March 2019Checks33,312
February 2019Checks29,811
January 2019Checks23,546
December 2018Checks31,823
November 2018Checks27,082
October 2018Checks21,279
September 2018Checks20,159
August 2018Checks27,280
July 2018Checks17,434
June 2018Checks18,597
May 2018Checks17,103
April 2018Checks19,286
March 2018Checks29,427
February 2018Checks28,968
January 2018Checks22,311
December 2017Checks38,260
November 2017Checks34,132
October 2017Checks28,996
September 2017Checks25,930
August 2017Checks31,663
July 2017Checks26,567
June 2017Checks32,995
May 2017Checks31,248
April 2017Checks30,218
March 2017Checks43,113
February 2017Checks41,969
January 2017Checks31,829
December 2016Checks43,044
November 2016Checks39,711
October 2016Checks31,780
September 2016Checks28,988
August 2016Checks31,389
July 2016Checks32,730
June 2016Checks30,209
May 2016Checks24,923
April 2016Checks30,929
March 2016Checks38,503
February 2016Checks39,376
January 2016Checks31,396
December 2015Checks48,614
November 2015Checks32,064
October 2015Checks26,030
September 2015Checks24,395
August 2015Checks25,047
July 2015Checks25,017
June 2015Checks20,763
May 2015Checks20,254
April 2015Checks22,801
March 2015Checks26,546
February 2015Checks31,543
January 2015Checks23,923
December 2014Checks34,846
November 2014Checks26,987
October 2014Checks24,311
September 2014Checks20,378
August 2014Checks22,184
July 2014Checks19,093
June 2014Checks19,781
May 2014Checks21,331
April 2014Checks21,621
March 2014Checks28,436
February 2014Checks28,440
January 2014Checks22,356
December 2013Checks31,309
November 2013Checks25,922
October 2013Checks21,704
September 2013Checks20,573
August 2013Checks25,637
July 2013Checks23,572
June 2013Checks21,463
May 2013Checks23,713
April 2013Checks27,599
March 2013Checks35,234
February 2013Checks42,168
January 2013Checks36,801
December 2012Checks43,132
November 2012Checks30,131
October 2012Checks23,632
September 2012Checks20,783
August 2012Checks23,329
July 2012Checks21,905
June 2012Checks22,649
May 2012Checks21,046
April 2012Checks20,048
March 2012Checks26,955
February 2012Checks32,897
January 2012Checks21,901
December 2011Checks30,538
November 2011Checks23,354
October 2011Checks18,470
September 2011Checks17,958
August 2011Checks18,589
July 2011Checks14,201
June 2011Checks14,435
May 2011Checks14,728
April 2011Checks16,096
March 2011Checks21,669
February 2011Checks23,822
January 2011Checks15,559
December 2010Checks23,732
November 2010Checks21,016
October 2010Checks14,800
September 2010Checks15,413
August 2010Checks15,262
July 2010Checks13,501
June 2010Checks14,532
May 2010Checks13,570
April 2010Checks14,441
March 2010Checks18,306
February 2010Checks20,358
January 2010Checks16,697
December 2009Checks22,497
November 2009Checks21,990
October 2009Checks16,984
September 2009Checks16,028
August 2009Checks15,567
July 2009Checks14,914
June 2009Checks13,977
May 2009Checks15,961
April 2009Checks18,209
March 2009Checks19,681
February 2009Checks20,958
January 2009Checks17,818
December 2008Checks24,794
November 2008Checks27,464
October 2008Checks15,680
September 2008Checks12,515
August 2008Checks12,881
July 2008Checks11,314
June 2008Checks10,499
May 2008Checks11,974
April 2008Checks11,607
March 2008Checks15,445
February 2008Checks17,215
January 2008Checks13,553
December 2007Checks20,889
November 2007Checks14,989
October 2007Checks13,199
September 2007Checks11,348
August 2007Checks12,145
July 2007Checks9,492
June 2007Checks9,537
May 2007Checks9,971
April 2007Checks9,983
March 2007Checks12,667
February 2007Checks13,575
January 2007Checks12,338
December 2006Checks20,513
November 2006Checks15,689
October 2006Checks12,703
September 2006Checks12,146
August 2006Checks11,399
July 2006Checks9,162
June 2006Checks9,886
May 2006Checks8,947
April 2006Checks9,208
March 2006Checks12,430
February 2006Checks13,668
January 2006Checks12,853
December 2005Checks21,435
November 2005Checks15,166
October 2005Checks12,307
September 2005Checks11,749
August 2005Checks10,799
July 2005Checks8,464
June 2005Checks8,340
May 2005Checks8,057
April 2005Checks9,497
March 2005Checks12,183
February 2005Checks12,921
January 2005Checks10,893
December 2004Checks19,063
November 2004Checks12,811
October 2004Checks11,543
September 2004Checks10,732
August 2004Checks9,468
July 2004Checks7,496
June 2004Checks7,092
May 2004Checks6,883
April 2004Checks7,790
March 2004Checks9,952
February 2004Checks11,262
January 2004Checks10,061
December 2003Checks17,124
November 2003Checks11,422
October 2003Checks11,100
September 2003Checks9,906
August 2003Checks10,259
July 2003Checks7,181
June 2003Checks7,510
May 2003Checks7,531
April 2003Checks7,527
March 2003Checks10,149
February 2003Checks11,483
January 2003Checks10,160
December 2002Checks16,961
November 2002Checks12,360
October 2002Checks10,848
September 2002Checks10,135
August 2002Checks10,757
July 2002Checks7,167
June 2002Checks6,884
May 2002Checks7,517
April 2002Checks7,629
March 2002Checks10,318
February 2002Checks11,629
January 2002Checks9,771
December 2001Checks19,101
November 2001Checks13,789
October 2001Checks13,440
September 2001Checks12,067
August 2001Checks11,241
July 2001Checks7,560
June 2001Checks7,518
May 2001Checks7,511
April 2001Checks7,276
March 2001Checks10,859
February 2001Checks11,912
January 2001Checks10,507
December 2000Checks18,573
November 2000Checks13,827
October 2000Checks11,497
September 2000Checks11,329
August 2000Checks11,491
July 2000Checks7,514
June 2000Checks7,483
May 2000Checks6,810
April 2000Checks7,565
March 2000Checks10,773
February 2000Checks11,851
January 2000Checks9,905
December 1999Checks22,136
November 1999Checks15,056
October 1999Checks12,889
September 1999Checks12,646
August 1999Checks11,834
July 1999Checks9,706
June 1999Checks8,670
May 1999Checks8,808
April 1999Checks9,358
March 1999Checks12,282
February 1999Checks12,565
January 1999Checks9,543
December 1998Checks9,559
November 1998Checks6Partial month: NICS began on November 30, 1998
Cite a figure from this section (14)

What does South Carolina export?

Firearm and ammunition exports that started their trip in South Carolina came to $15.6 million in 2025, across 3 product groups. Military weapons were 76.4% of that. [7]

Firearm and ammunition exports from South Carolina, 2010–2025 current dollars

  • Hatched: not reported

2025: $15,638,791 · 2024: $7,257,176 · $8,381,615 more

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$11,955,260
  2. Cartridges and parts$2,280,678
  3. Pistols and revolvers$1,402,853

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from South Carolina, 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. Netherlands$4,177,735
  2. Colombia$3,419,575
  3. Lebanon$2,222,609
  4. Kuwait$1,174,060
  5. Belgium$1,160,197
  6. Canada$736,464
  7. Djibouti$685,574
  8. Chile$309,781

Source: Census international trade, exports starting from South Carolina, 2025. USA Arms adds up every month and product group Census reported for each destination; 29 destinations in all, the largest 8 shown. A destination is where the goods were bound, not always where they were used.

Show all 15 years
Firearm and ammunition exports from South Carolina, product groups added up by USA Arms
YearExports
2025Exports$15,638,7913 product families
2024Exports$7,257,1764 product families
2023Exports$6,822,442
2022Exports$7,459,8253 product families
2021Exports$5,443,7105 product families
2020Exports$6,001,0732 product families
2019Exports$16,641,786
2018Exports$419,0901 product family
2017Exports$12,818,2523 product families
2016Exports$232,4121 product family
2015Exports$3,495
2014Exports$10,865,2142 product families
Earlier years, 2010–2013
Firearm and ammunition exports from South Carolina, product groups added up by USA Arms, 2010–2013
YearExports
2013Exports$97,0451 product family
2012Exports$1,542,0473 product families
2010Exports$203,461
Cite a figure from this section (12)

How many hunting licenses does South Carolina certify?

South Carolina certified 199,114 paid hunting-license holders for license year 2024. Hunters bought 827,025 resident and 109,583 nonresident licenses, for $11,084,921 in all. A holder is one certification, not one person: someone licensed in two states counts in each. [3]

Paid hunting-license holders in South Carolina, 1956–2024 license holders

2024: 199,114 · 2023: 200,782 · 0.8% fewer

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

  • 199,114paid hunting-license holders South Carolina certified for license year 2024; the high was 279,203 in 2000USFWS certifications · 2024 · South CarolinaCite
Show all 69 years
Hunting licenses certified by South Carolina
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2024Paid license holders199,114Resident licenses827,025Nonresident licenses109,583Gross cost$11,084,921
2023Paid license holders200,782Resident licenses732,954Nonresident licenses108,063Gross cost$10,325,717
2022Paid license holders215,340Resident licenses855,799Nonresident licenses112,674Gross cost$10,869,977
2021Paid license holders219,222Resident licenses874,873Nonresident licenses111,639Gross cost$10,167,611
2020Paid license holders208,696Resident licenses793,291Nonresident licenses104,731Gross cost$9,492,380
2019Paid license holders208,843Resident licenses893,226Nonresident licenses107,735Gross cost$9,976,825
2018Paid license holders181,820Resident licenses983,087Nonresident licenses115,268Gross cost$10,816,831
2017Paid license holders200,912Resident licenses703,738Nonresident licenses88,971Gross cost$8,671,786
2016Paid license holders210,369Resident licenses722,055Nonresident licenses92,230Gross cost$9,717,318
2015Paid license holders212,621Resident licenses709,031Nonresident licenses93,706Gross cost$9,847,396
2014Paid license holders212,461Resident licenses376,666Nonresident licenses57,377Gross cost$8,151,485
2013Paid license holders206,397Resident licenses363,765Nonresident licenses59,672Gross costWithheld
Earlier years, 1956–2012
Hunting licenses certified by South Carolina, 1956–2012
YearPaid license holdersResident licensesNonresident licensesGross cost
2012Paid license holders204,837Resident licenses368,894Nonresident licenses59,632Gross costWithheld
2011Paid license holders173,942Resident licenses340,005Nonresident licenses59,381Gross costWithheld
2010Paid license holders234,457Resident licenses557,687Nonresident licenses80,479Gross costWithheld
2009Paid license holders223,008Resident licenses521,272Nonresident licenses46,524Gross costWithheld
2008Paid license holders204,445Resident licenses509,188Nonresident licenses49,344Gross costWithheld
2007Paid license holders205,059Resident licenses484,848Nonresident licenses50,512Gross costWithheld
2006Paid license holders199,540Resident licenses469,286Nonresident licenses48,487Gross costWithheld
2005Paid license holders220,126Resident licenses424,365Nonresident licenses55,600Gross costWithheld
2004Paid license holders210,136Resident licenses404,917Nonresident licenses52,493Gross costWithheld
2003Paid license holders211,605Resident licenses200,487Nonresident licenses58,856Gross costWithheld
2002Paid license holders279,203Resident licenses207,379Nonresident licenses58,527Gross costWithheld
2001Paid license holders272,752Resident licenses200,487Nonresident licenses58,856Gross costWithheld
2000Paid license holders279,203Resident licenses207,379Nonresident licenses58,527Gross cost$7,359,442
1999Paid license holders277,691Resident licenses205,735Nonresident licenses58,906Gross cost$7,381,057
1998Paid license holders258,706Resident licenses203,088Nonresident licenses60,553Gross cost$7,010,658
1997Paid license holders263,045Resident licenses208,937Nonresident licenses57,560Gross cost$6,702,225
1996Paid license holders224,207Resident licenses211,782Nonresident licenses57,417Gross cost$6,751,045
1995Paid license holders223,123Resident licenses215,498Nonresident licenses55,921Gross cost$6,748,302
1994Paid license holders219,049Resident licenses215,593Nonresident licenses52,640Gross cost$6,528,701
1993Paid license holders217,351Resident licenses213,498Nonresident licenses52,030Gross cost$6,392,315
1992Paid license holders214,086Resident licenses222,150Nonresident licenses47,921Gross cost$6,157,853
1991Paid license holders208,553Resident licenses221,164Nonresident licenses45,420Gross cost$5,895,658
1990Paid license holders205,997Resident licenses222,337Nonresident licenses41,285Gross cost$5,736,271
1989Paid license holders196,690Resident licenses218,335Nonresident licenses38,689Gross cost$5,504,652
1988Paid license holders190,621Resident licenses212,115Nonresident licenses36,899Gross cost$5,328,747
1987Paid license holders196,764Resident licenses228,495Nonresident licenses36,346Gross cost$5,395,868
1986Paid license holders185,807Resident licenses220,859Nonresident licenses32,746Gross cost$5,050,238
1985Paid license holders177,268Resident licenses229,943Nonresident licenses29,719Gross cost$4,878,253
1984Paid license holders201,899Resident licenses228,097Nonresident licenses46,408Gross cost$3,473,863
1983Paid license holders201,602Resident licenses321,808Nonresident licenses44,403Gross cost$3,430,007
1982Paid license holders200,371Resident licenses227,807Nonresident licenses39,783Gross cost$3,247,368
1981Paid license holders207,648Resident licenses241,423Nonresident licenses37,701Gross cost$3,257,307
1980Paid license holders204,206Resident licenses250,336Nonresident licenses34,343Gross cost$3,170,232
1979Paid license holders219,071Resident licenses270,514Nonresident licenses33,369Gross cost$2,299,387
1978Paid license holders222,319Resident licenses269,663Nonresident licenses28,712Gross cost$2,161,972
1977Paid license holders228,296Resident licenses263,126Nonresident licenses39,547Gross cost$2,366,900
1976Paid license holders218,743Resident licenses262,549Nonresident licenses24,602Gross cost$2,022,441
1975Paid license holders215,920Resident licenses253,232Nonresident licenses24,503Gross cost$1,790,321
1974Paid license holders211,855Resident licenses248,869Nonresident licenses20,603Gross cost$1,686,650
1973Paid license holders212,559Resident licenses251,471Nonresident licenses19,220Gross cost$1,659,906
1972Paid license holders202,599Resident licenses235,030Nonresident licenses16,673Gross cost$1,526,521
1971Paid license holders189,617Resident licenses215,669Nonresident licenses14,193Gross cost$1,374,788
1970Paid license holders177,657Resident licenses200,688Nonresident licenses12,982Gross cost$1,238,864
1969Paid license holders193,938Resident licenses181,485Nonresident licenses12,453Gross cost$1,147,020
1968Paid license holders183,529Resident licenses172,653Nonresident licenses10,876Gross cost$1,056,339
1967Paid license holders223,123Resident licenses212,030Nonresident licenses11,093Gross cost$813,801
1966Paid license holders210,468Resident licenses201,969Nonresident licenses8,499Gross cost$727,779
1965Paid license holders210,710Resident licenses200,938Nonresident licenses9,772Gross cost$706,426
1964Paid license holders200,343Resident licenses192,579Nonresident licenses7,764Gross cost$659,687
1963Paid license holders192,072Resident licenses184,821Nonresident licenses7,251Gross cost$626,001
1962Paid license holders192,237Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1961Paid license holders187,076Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1960Paid license holders171,979Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1959Paid license holders171,949Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1958Paid license holders164,068Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1957Paid license holders167,189Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
1956Paid license holders164,980Resident licensesWithheldNonresident licensesWithheldGross costWithheld
Cite a figure from this section (5)

How much conservation money does South Carolina receive?

Wildlife Restoration apportioned $11,071,422 to South Carolina for fiscal 2026, 7.4% less than fiscal 2025. The record was $16,328,594 in fiscal 2023. The money comes from federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery gear. [3]

Wildlife Restoration apportionments to South Carolina, FY 1939–FY 2026 current dollars

FY 2026: $11,071,422 · FY 2025: $11,951,417 · 7.4% less

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

  • $11,071,422apportioned to South Carolina for fiscal 2026 through Wildlife Restoration, including hunter education; the high was $16,328,594 for fiscal 2023USFWS · FY 2026 · South CarolinaCite
Show all 88 fiscal years
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to South Carolina
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2026Apportioned$11,071,422
FY 2025Apportioned$11,951,417
FY 2024Apportioned$13,313,362
FY 2023Apportioned$16,328,594
FY 2022Apportioned$15,251,126
FY 2021Apportioned$9,186,347
FY 2020Apportioned$7,812,139
FY 2019Apportioned$8,941,843
FY 2018Apportioned$10,678,793
FY 2017Apportioned$10,497,258
FY 2016Apportioned$9,311,672
FY 2015Apportioned$10,776,814
Earlier fiscal years, FY 1939–FY 2014
Wildlife Restoration apportionments to South Carolina, FY 1939–FY 2014
Fiscal yearApportioned
FY 2014Apportioned$10,172,083
FY 2013Apportioned$6,696,063
FY 2012Apportioned$5,327,609
FY 2011Apportioned$5,260,829
FY 2010Apportioned$6,351,738
FY 2009Apportioned$4,459,346
FY 2008Apportioned$3,953,176
FY 2007Apportioned$3,641,405
FY 2006Apportioned$2,767,987
FY 2005Apportioned$2,283,303
FY 2004Apportioned$3,174,258
FY 2003Apportioned$3,065,525
FY 2002Apportioned$2,718,409
FY 2001Apportioned$2,941,280
FY 2000Apportioned$2,548,294
FY 1999Apportioned$2,189,392
FY 1998Apportioned$2,044,085
FY 1997Apportioned$2,181,947
FY 1996Apportioned$2,700,778
FY 1995Apportioned$2,729,256
FY 1994Apportioned$2,361,606
FY 1993Apportioned$2,006,311
FY 1992Apportioned$1,871,610
FY 1991Apportioned$2,013,687
FY 1990Apportioned$1,406,162
FY 1989Apportioned$1,401,284
FY 1988Apportioned$1,345,990
FY 1987Apportioned$1,338,618
FY 1986Apportioned$1,289,046
FY 1985Apportioned$979,520
FY 1984Apportioned$1,075,862
FY 1983Apportioned$1,341,326
FY 1982Apportioned$1,459,839
FY 1981Apportioned$1,046,450
FY 1980Apportioned$1,076,949
FY 1979Apportioned$995,918
FY 1978Apportioned$755,267
FY 1977Apportioned$996,965
FY 1976Apportioned$670,325
FY 1975Apportioned$605,686
FY 1974Apportioned$525,315
FY 1973Apportioned$465,372
FY 1972Apportioned$391,321
FY 1971Apportioned$363,149
FY 1970Apportioned$365,294
FY 1969Apportioned$352,755
FY 1968Apportioned$300,877
FY 1967Apportioned$262,801
FY 1966Apportioned$216,283
FY 1965Apportioned$186,078
FY 1964Apportioned$181,260
FY 1963Apportioned$144,788
FY 1962Apportioned$142,120
FY 1961Apportioned$149,498
FY 1960Apportioned$159,296
FY 1959Apportioned$174,101
FY 1958Apportioned$175,959
FY 1957Apportioned$174,307
FY 1956Apportioned$155,287
FY 1955Apportioned$103,468
FY 1954Apportioned$119,804
FY 1953Apportioned$101,922
FY 1952Apportioned$178,342
FY 1951Apportioned$91,880
FY 1950Apportioned$104,611
FY 1949Apportioned$131,507
FY 1948Apportioned$76,491
FY 1947Apportioned$20,604
FY 1946Apportioned$7,458
FY 1945Apportioned$8,432
FY 1944Apportioned$9,462
FY 1943Apportioned$12,127
FY 1942Apportioned$28,916
FY 1941Apportioned$26,375
FY 1940Apportioned$15,998
FY 1939Apportioned$10,170
Cite a figure from this section (2)

How does South Carolina compare?

South Carolina ranks 4th for firearms made, 20th for license records, 14th for small arms jobs, 13th for job concentration, 35th for hunting license holders and 39th 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$20.1MPennsylvaniaPA95.6K3.24K1.2K1.241.03M$30.6MRhode IslandSouth 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$14.4MSouth CarolinaSC765K1.49K7652.06199K$11.1M
  • 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 South Carolina

Research with South Carolina figures

  1. Who makes America's guns?Inside: South Carolina’s largest filings each year · compare South Carolina 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: South Carolina’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: South Carolina’s license mix against the U.S. · compare South Carolina with another state
  5. Where are hunting licenses most common?Inside: South Carolina’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.

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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, 2002–2025www.bls.gov
  6. [6] Census Bureau, Economic Census2022 Economic Census, South Carolinawww.census.gov
  7. [7] Census international tradeSouth Carolina-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.