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U.S. firearms statistics

How many guns America makes and trades, who makes them, what the work pays, how many background checks the FBI runs, and how gun and ammunition taxes pay for conservation. Every figure comes from a federal source and keeps that source’s own period.

Newest data: FBI checks through August 31, 2026 · ATF licenses, August 2026 · BLS jobs, 2025 · ATF production, 2024. Sources and downloads

  1. $10.56 billionshipped by small arms, ordnance and accessories makers in 2024; ammunition makers shipped $5.43 billionCensus · 2024
  2. 9,551,183firearms made in the U.S. in 2024, down 2.3% from 2023ATF · 2024
  3. 24,909private jobs making small arms in 2025, paying $99,540 a year on averageBLS · 2025
  4. 26,123,215FBI background checks in 2025. A check is not a sale: permit checks and rechecks count tooFBI · 2025, 365 days
  5. 77,150federal firearms license records on ATF’s August 2026 list, 958 fewer than a year earlierATF · Aug 2026
  6. 2,467,281pistols imported in 2025, against 292,659 exportedCensus · 2025, 12 months
  7. $807,506,000collected in federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition in fiscal 2025, 9.6% less than in fiscal 2024TTB · FY 2025
  8. $842,403,264apportioned to state and territorial wildlife agencies for fiscal 2026, including hunter education money, 7.9% less than for fiscal 2025USFWS · FY 2026
  9. 15,751,337paid hunting-license holders certified by the 50 states for 2024; a hunter licensed in two states counts in eachUSFWS · 2024, 50 states

How big is the firearms industry?

Makers of small arms, ordnance and accessories (industry code NAICS 332994) shipped $10.56 billion of goods in 2024, 54% more than in 2013. Ammunition makers (NAICS 332992) shipped $5.43 billion, up 29%. Both figures are in current dollars, not adjusted for inflation. [1]

Value of shipments by industry, 2013–2024 current dollars

  • Small arms, ordnance and accessories (NAICS 332994)
  • Small arms ammunition (NAICS 332992)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM, 2017 benchmark), 2013–2016; Economic Census, 2017 and 2022; Annual Survey of Manufactures (2022 benchmark), 2018–2021; Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES), 2023–2024. U.S. totals in current dollars. Census publishes them in thousands of dollars; the table below has the exact figures.

  • $10,562,977,000shipped by small arms, ordnance and accessories makers; ammunition makers shipped $5,429,417,000Census AIES · 2024 · NAICS 332994 and 332992Cite
  • $6,096,612,000value added by small arms, ordnance and accessories makers: roughly what they shipped, less what they bought to make itCensus AIES · 2024 · NAICS 332994Cite
  • $1,812,965,000annual payroll for 24,382 employees in the same industryCensus AIES · 2024 · NAICS 332994Cite
  • $917,654,000annual payroll for 13,560 employees in ammunition manufacturingCensus AIES · 2024 · NAICS 332992Cite

What the factories sold, by product

The largest product lines in the 2022 Economic Census. Census withholds some lines to protect individual companies, so the lines here do not add up to the industry total.

  1. Centerfire pistols and revolvers$3.51 billion
  2. Centerfire pistol cartridges$1.51 billion
  3. Parts and attachments for small firearms$1.49 billion
  4. Centerfire rifle cartridges$1.30 billion
  5. Centerfire semiautomatic rifles$1.02 billion
  6. Other centerfire rifles$711.2 million
  7. Large ordnance over 30 mm, and parts$710.2 million
  8. Centerfire bolt-action rifles$483.6 million

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census, 2022, U.S. product lines by Census product code (NAPCS). Values are revenue from each product. Withheld lines are left out, not counted as zero.

Prices that small arms and ordnance makers got for their goods rose 6.2% from 2012 to 2025. The BLS producer price index for the industry averaged 101.4 in 2012 and 107.7 in 2025 (series PCU33299T33299T). [2]

Show all 12 years · shipments, value added, payroll, employment and product lines
Small arms, ordnance and accessories manufacturing (NAICS 332994)
YearValue of shipmentsValue addedAnnual payrollEmployeesProduction-worker hours
Annual Integrated Economic Survey
2024Shipments$10,562,977,000Value added$6,096,612,000Payroll$1,812,965,000Employees24,382Worker hours30,973,000
2023Shipments$10,628,871,000Value added$5,716,796,000Payroll$1,756,103,000Employees24,236Worker hours29,754,000
Economic Census
2022Shipments$10,555,395,000Value added$5,698,179,000Payroll$1,670,816,000Employees24,552Worker hours32,288,000
Annual Survey of Manufactures (2022 benchmark)
2021Shipments$10,277,792,000Value added$5,898,446,000Payroll$1,552,638,000Employees23,951Worker hours33,074,000
2020Shipments$9,484,257,000Value added$5,162,925,000Payroll$1,426,913,000Employees22,045Worker hours29,165,000
2019Shipments$6,857,651,000Value added$3,684,573,000Payroll$1,158,797,000Employees19,388Worker hours26,140,000
2018Shipments$6,264,367,000Value added$3,333,898,000Payroll$1,174,581,000Employees18,861Worker hours26,195,000
Economic Census
2017Shipments$6,282,988,000Value added$3,758,846,000Payroll$1,149,183,000Employees18,426Worker hours25,177,000
Annual Survey of Manufactures (2017 benchmark)
2016Shipments$7,591,298,000Value added$4,513,722,000Payroll$1,176,043,000Employees19,160Worker hours25,812,000
2015Shipments$6,101,080,000Value added$3,458,814,000Payroll$1,018,145,000Employees17,506Worker hours21,955,000
2014Shipments$5,979,130,000Value added$3,393,743,000Payroll$1,008,085,000Employees17,521Worker hours23,164,000
2013Shipments$6,866,318,000Value added$4,334,716,000Payroll$988,150,000Employees16,870Worker hours21,835,000
Small arms ammunition manufacturing (NAICS 332992)
YearValue of shipmentsValue addedAnnual payrollEmployeesProduction-worker hours
Annual Integrated Economic Survey
2024Shipments$5,429,417,000Value added$2,985,748,000Payroll$917,654,000Employees13,560Worker hours21,516,000
2023Shipments$5,677,802,000Value added$3,228,144,000Payroll$887,923,000Employees13,873Worker hours22,320,000
Economic Census
2022Shipments$5,825,535,000Value added$3,201,747,000Payroll$864,223,000Employees13,455Worker hours22,549,000
Annual Survey of Manufactures (2022 benchmark)
2021Shipments$5,772,593,000Value added$3,432,064,000Payroll$775,790,000Employees12,819Worker hours22,152,000
2020Shipments$5,037,180,000Value added$2,833,907,000Payroll$637,738,000Employees11,082Worker hours19,520,000
2019Shipments$4,285,992,000Value added$2,249,144,000Payroll$607,578,000Employees11,037Worker hours18,955,000
2018Shipments$3,979,166,000Value added$2,314,891,000Payroll$635,696,000Employees11,951Worker hours21,222,000
Economic Census
2017Shipments$4,117,687,000Value added$2,479,089,000Payroll$667,240,000Employees11,964Worker hours20,771,000
Annual Survey of Manufactures (2017 benchmark)
2016Shipments$4,140,294,000Value added$2,444,862,000Payroll$680,647,000Employees12,373Worker hours18,503,000
2015Shipments$3,992,370,000Value added$2,126,868,000Payroll$673,990,000Employees10,914Worker hours17,009,000
2014Shipments$3,903,454,000Value added$2,235,380,000Payroll$600,210,000Employees10,525Worker hours17,222,000
2013Shipments$4,222,759,000Value added$2,578,519,000Payroll$647,279,000Employees10,644Worker hours17,998,000
Product lines in the 2022 Economic Census, under their Census names
Product lineIndustryRevenue, 2022
Manufacturing of centerfire pistols and revolversNAICS 332994NAICS 332994$3,509,548,000
Manufacturing of centerfire pistol cartridges, including cartridges interchangeable between rifles and pistols (30 mm or less, 1.18 in. or less)NAICS 332992NAICS 332992$1,510,145,000
Manufacturing of parts and attachments for small firearmsNAICS 332994NAICS 332994$1,485,047,000
Manufacturing of centerfire rifle cartridgesNAICS 332992NAICS 332992$1,297,406,000
Manufacturing of centerfire semiautomatic riflesNAICS 332994NAICS 332994$1,019,781,000
Manufacturing of all other centerfire riflesNAICS 332994NAICS 332994$711,171,000
Manufacturing of guns, howitzers, mortars, turrets, and all other miscellaneous ordnance, accessories, and related equipment (more than 30 mm or 1.18 in.), including parts (excluding small firearms, parts for small firearms, and ammunition)NAICS 332994NAICS 332994$710,169,000
Manufacturing of centerfire bolt repeater riflesNAICS 332994NAICS 332994$483,649,000
Manufacturing of other ammunition products, including industrial shells and cartridges, air gun ammunition, and percussion capsNAICS 332992NAICS 332992$452,135,000
Manufacturing of rimfire rifle/pistol cartridgesNAICS 332992NAICS 332992$339,155,000
Other metal processing and metalworking contract manufacturing services, performed using materials owned by others (i.e., the customer)NAICS 332994NAICS 332994$321,761,000
Manufacturing of rimfire pistols and revolversNAICS 332994NAICS 332994$236,188,000
Wholesale sales of sporting and recreational equipmentNAICS 332994NAICS 332994$175,844,000
All other products and services, not elsewhere classifiedNAICS 332992NAICS 332992$32,476,000
Wholesale sales of sporting and recreational equipmentNAICS 332992NAICS 332992$14,046,000
Retail sales of men's clothingNAICS 332994NAICS 332994$596,000
Manufacturing of parts and attachments for small firearmsNAICS 332992NAICS 332992Withheld
Retail sales of hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping equipmentNAICS 332992NAICS 332992Withheld
Manufacturing of primers (30 mm or less, 1.18 in. or less) and all other ammunition components (excluding gunpowder)NAICS 332992NAICS 332992Withheld
Other metal processing and metalworking contract manufacturing services, performed using materials owned by others (i.e., the customer)NAICS 332992NAICS 332992Withheld
Manufacturing of rimfire riflesNAICS 332994NAICS 332994Withheld
Manufacturing services on complete space vehiclesNAICS 332994NAICS 332994Withheld
All other products and services, not elsewhere classifiedNAICS 332994NAICS 332994Withheld
Manufacturing of machine guns (30 mm or less, 1.18 in. or less)NAICS 332994NAICS 332994Withheld
Manufacturing of single barrel shotguns and other small firearmsNAICS 332994NAICS 332994Withheld
Manufacturing of fire extinguishing equipment, hand-portable and fixed-system (excluding water sprinkler systems), including parts and attachmentsNAICS 332994NAICS 332994Withheld
Machined metal, plastic, or other composite parts on a job basis (low volume), including machinery and machinery part repair within the facility (machine shop)NAICS 332994NAICS 332994Withheld
Manufacturing of ammunition (excluding for small arms), including complete and separate loading artillery rounds, steel and non-steel parts and cases, and other ammunition (more than 30 mm, more than 1.18 in.), including bombs, grenades, and minesNAICS 332994NAICS 332994Withheld
BLS producer price index for small arms and ordnance manufacturing, annual averages, 2012–2025
YearIndex
2025Index107.69
2024Index107.72
2023Index107.22
2022Index106.12
2021Index103.74
2020Index101.5
2019Index101.5
2018Index101.8
2017Index101.4
2016Index99.6
2015Index100.2
2014Index104.1
Earlier years, 2012–2013
BLS producer price index for small arms and ordnance manufacturing, annual averages, 2012–2025, 2012–2013
YearIndex
2013Index103.5
2012Index101.4
Cite a figure from this section (10)

How many guns are made in America?

U.S. manufacturers reported making 9,551,183 firearms in 2024. That is 2.3% fewer than in 2023 and 31% below the 2021 peak of 13,804,896. Pistols were 43.0% of the total. [3]

Firearms manufactured in the U.S., 2004–2024 firearms

  • Hatched: withheld

2024: 9,551,183 · 2023: 9,772,259 · 2.3% fewer

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report (AFMER), U.S. totals by calendar year. ATF withheld the figures for 2022 and 1992–2003. Production counts firearms made, not sold.

  • 9,551,183firearms made in the United States in 2024, against 9,772,259 in 2023ATF AFMER · calendar year 2024 · U.S. totalCite
  • 4,102,832pistols, 43.0% of all firearms made in 2024; rifles came next at 2,823,536ATF AFMER · 2024 · by typeCite

The mix has shifted toward pistols

In 2004 manufacturers made 1.8 rifles for every pistol. In 2024 they made 1.45 pistols for every rifle.

Firearms manufactured by type, 2004–2024 firearms

Pistols

4,102,832 in 2024 · 43.0%

Rifles

2,823,536 in 2024 · 29.6%

Revolvers

639,743 in 2024 · 6.7%

Shotguns

599,625 in 2024 · 6.3%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, U.S. totals by type. Every panel uses the same scale, and a line breaks where ATF withheld a year. “Miscellaneous” is ATF’s category for frames, receivers and other firearms.

Largest manufacturing filings in 2024

Each row is one ATF filing for one plant. A company with several plants appears more than once, so these are not company totals.

Largest manufacturing filings, 2024
#FilingPlant cityFirearms, 2024Share of U.S.
1Smith & Wesson Inc.Maryville, TNMaryville, TN967,81210.1%
2SIG Sauer Inc.Newington, NHNewington, NH936,7099.8%
3WM C Anderson Inc.Hebron, KYHebron, KY611,8776.4%
4Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.Mayodan, NCMayodan, NC546,6095.7%
5Savage Arms, Inc.Westfield, MAWestfield, MA473,5135.0%
6Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.Newport, NHNewport, NH425,4754.5%
7Glock Inc.Smyrna, GASmyrna, GA419,5104.4%
8Palmetto State Armory, LLCWest Columbia, SCWest Columbia, SC385,3044.0%
9Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.Prescott, AZPrescott, AZ382,3144.0%
10Maverick Arms, Inc.Eagle Pass, TXEagle Pass, TX370,1133.9%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024 filings (3,915 that year). Names appear as filed and are not yet matched to manufacturer pages.

Where they are made

The 24 states whose plants reported at least 0.5% of U.S. firearms in 2024, largest first. All 50 states are in the comparison below.

  1. New Hampshire1,381,922 14.5%
  2. Tennessee1,164,239 12.2%
  3. Georgia796,857 8.3%
  4. South Carolina764,904 8.0%
  5. Texas665,832 7.0%
  6. North Carolina656,267 6.9%
  7. Kentucky613,225 6.4%
  8. Arizona549,989 5.8%
  9. Massachusetts479,681 5.0%
  10. Florida350,157 3.7%
  11. Connecticut225,530 2.4%
  12. New Jersey222,163 2.3%
  13. Illinois213,446 2.2%
  14. Wisconsin205,110 2.1%
  15. Washington176,745 1.9%
  16. Alabama150,180 1.6%
  17. Nevada146,524 1.5%
  18. Utah135,209 1.4%
  19. Pennsylvania95,610 1.0%
  20. New York88,165 0.9%
  21. Missouri55,139 0.6%
  22. Ohio53,895 0.6%
  23. Arkansas50,803 0.5%
  24. California49,971 0.5%

Source: ATF’s annual manufacturing report, 2024. The percentage is each state’s share of U.S. production.

Show all 21 years · production by type
Firearms made in the United States, by type
YearAll firearmsPistolsRiflesRevolversShotguns
2024All firearms9,551,183Pistols4,102,832Rifles2,823,536Revolvers639,743Shotguns599,625
2023All firearms9,772,259Pistols3,939,517Rifles3,119,376Revolvers805,054Shotguns602,782
2022All firearmsWithheldPistolsWithheldRiflesWithheldRevolversWithheldShotgunsWithheld
2021All firearms13,804,896Pistols6,751,906Rifles3,934,374Revolvers1,159,908Shotguns675,426
2020All firearms11,064,078Pistols5,509,183Rifles2,760,392Revolvers993,078Shotguns476,682
2019All firearms7,011,945Pistols3,046,013Rifles1,957,667Revolvers580,601Shotguns480,735
2018All firearms9,052,628Pistols3,881,158Rifles2,880,536Revolvers664,835Shotguns536,126
2017All firearms8,327,788Pistols3,691,006Rifles2,504,092Revolvers720,917Shotguns653,139
2016All firearms11,497,441Pistols4,720,075Rifles4,239,335Revolvers856,291Shotguns848,617
2015All firearms9,358,661Pistols3,557,199Rifles3,691,799Revolvers885,259Shotguns777,273
2014All firearms9,050,626Pistols3,633,454Rifles3,379,549Revolvers744,047Shotguns935,411
2013All firearms10,844,792Pistols4,441,726Rifles3,979,570Revolvers725,282Shotguns1,203,072
Earlier years, 2004–2012
Firearms made in the United States, by type, 2004–2012
YearAll firearmsPistolsRiflesRevolversShotguns
2012All firearms8,578,610Pistols3,487,883Rifles3,168,206Revolvers667,357Shotguns949,010
2011All firearms6,541,886Pistols2,598,133Rifles2,318,088Revolvers572,857Shotguns862,401
2010All firearms5,459,240Pistols2,258,450Rifles1,830,556Revolvers558,927Shotguns743,378
2009All firearms5,555,818Pistols1,868,258Rifles2,248,851Revolvers547,195Shotguns752,699
2008All firearms4,298,197Pistols1,387,271Rifles1,746,139Revolvers431,753Shotguns630,710
2007All firearms3,922,613Pistols1,219,664Rifles1,610,923Revolvers391,334Shotguns645,231
2006All firearms3,650,324Pistols1,021,260Rifles1,496,505Revolvers382,069Shotguns714,618
2005All firearms3,241,494Pistols803,425Rifles1,431,372Revolvers274,205Shotguns709,313
2004All firearms3,099,115Pistols728,511Rifles1,325,168Revolvers294,099Shotguns731,799
Cite a figure from this section (14)

How many people make firearms and ammunition?

Private employers had 24,909 jobs making small arms, ordnance and accessories in 2025. Ammunition makers had 11,228 jobs. Small arms jobs paid $99,540 on average; ammunition jobs paid $74,401. [4]

Private employment by industry, 1990–2025 jobs, annual average

  • Small arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)
  • Small arms ammunition (332992)

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

Average annual pay by industry, 1990–2025 current dollars

  • Small arms, ordnance and accessories (332994)
  • Small arms ammunition (332992)

Source: BLS QCEW, U.S. private employers. Pay is in current dollars, not adjusted for inflation. From 2022, BLS counts other ordnance makers in this industry too, so years on either side of the line are not compared.

  • 24,909private jobs making small arms, ordnance and accessories, paying $99,540 on average; ammunition: 11,228 jobs at $74,401BLS QCEW · 2025 annual average · privateCite
  • 896small arms manufacturing establishments in 2025BLS QCEW · 2025 · privateCite
  • 2,056more jobs at federal government sites in the same industry, counted apart from private jobsBLS QCEW · 2025 · federal governmentCite

Where the jobs concentrate

Each number is a location quotient: the industry’s share of a state’s jobs divided by its share of all U.S. jobs. 1.00 means the same share. New Hampshire’s 15.40 means about 15 times the national share.

  1. New Hampshire · 1,697 jobs15.40
  2. Wyoming · 367 jobs8.13
  3. Connecticut · 1,246 jobs4.60
  4. Arizona · 2,234 jobs4.32
  5. Arkansas · 810 jobs3.88
  6. Montana · 314 jobs3.83
  7. Minnesota · 1,685 jobs3.58
  8. Kentucky · 944 jobs2.97
  9. Idaho · 352 jobs2.52
  10. Utah · 700 jobs2.51

Source: BLS QCEW, small arms industry (NAICS 332994), private employers, 2025. BLS does not publish 2025 jobs for 16 states, so the comparison below lists them as not published.

Show all 36 years · jobs, pay and establishments
Employment and pay by industry, BLS QCEW, private employers unless marked federal
YearSmall arms jobsSmall arms payAmmunition jobsAmmunition paySmall arms establishmentsFederal government small arms jobs
2025Small arms jobs24,909Small arms pay$99,540Ammunition jobs11,228Ammunition pay$74,401Establishments896Federal jobs2,056
2024Small arms jobs24,802Small arms pay$95,172Ammunition jobs12,151Ammunition pay$71,977Establishments856Federal jobs2,245
2023Small arms jobs24,747Small arms pay$86,992Ammunition jobs12,149Ammunition pay$68,928Establishments820Federal jobs2,000
2022Small arms jobs24,804Small arms pay$77,240Ammunition jobs12,539Ammunition pay$66,440Establishments778Federal jobs2,211
2021Small arms jobs24,268Small arms pay$91,615Ammunition jobs11,982Ammunition pay$62,410Establishments702Federal jobs2,369
2020Small arms jobs20,575Small arms pay$71,162Ammunition jobs10,481Ammunition pay$61,372Establishments632Federal jobs2,410
2019Small arms jobs19,930Small arms pay$63,988Ammunition jobs10,535Ammunition pay$59,653Establishments606Federal jobs2,369
2018Small arms jobs19,919Small arms pay$63,983Ammunition jobs10,800Ammunition pay$57,087Establishments594Federal jobs2,352
2017Small arms jobs20,361Small arms pay$59,241Ammunition jobs11,123Ammunition pay$55,480Establishments568Federal jobs2,457
2016Small arms jobs20,078Small arms pay$59,291Ammunition jobs11,143Ammunition pay$56,554Establishments534Federal jobs2,366
2015Small arms jobs18,273Small arms pay$59,725Ammunition jobs10,575Ammunition pay$56,088Establishments513Federal jobs2,369
2014Small arms jobs18,481Small arms pay$60,825Ammunition jobs11,381Ammunition pay$54,653Establishments470Federal jobs2,485
Earlier years, 1990–2013
Employment and pay by industry, BLS QCEW, private employers unless marked federal, 1990–2013
YearSmall arms jobsSmall arms payAmmunition jobsAmmunition paySmall arms establishmentsFederal government small arms jobs
2013Small arms jobs18,370Small arms pay$63,671Ammunition jobs11,465Ammunition pay$54,011Establishments426Federal jobs2,701
2012Small arms jobs16,295Small arms pay$60,353Ammunition jobs10,553Ammunition pay$53,120Establishments384Federal jobs3,032
2011Small arms jobs14,751Small arms pay$57,377Ammunition jobs10,252Ammunition pay$52,000Establishments369Federal jobs3,594
2010Small arms jobs10,190Small arms pay$52,526Ammunition jobs10,510Ammunition pay$49,384Establishments265Federal jobsNot published
2009Small arms jobs10,742Small arms pay$51,305Ammunition jobs9,872Ammunition pay$48,976Establishments258Federal jobsNot published
2008Small arms jobs10,747Small arms pay$48,580Ammunition jobs9,098Ammunition pay$47,737Establishments245Federal jobsNot published
2007Small arms jobs10,388Small arms pay$50,182Ammunition jobs10,443Ammunition pay$52,726Establishments236Federal jobsNot published
2006Small arms jobs9,752Small arms pay$44,737Ammunition jobs10,611Ammunition pay$47,955Establishments223Federal jobsNot published
2005Small arms jobs9,985Small arms pay$41,695Ammunition jobs10,026Ammunition pay$46,546Establishments216Federal jobsNot published
2004Small arms jobs9,894Small arms pay$41,301Ammunition jobs8,153Ammunition pay$47,678Establishments223Federal jobsNot published
2003Small arms jobs9,693Small arms pay$39,376Ammunition jobs7,519Ammunition pay$47,505Establishments229Federal jobsNot published
2002Small arms jobs9,936Small arms pay$37,148Ammunition jobs7,315Ammunition pay$45,169Establishments238Federal jobsNot published
2001Small arms jobs9,618Small arms pay$36,928Ammunition jobs7,228Ammunition pay$43,273Establishments237Federal jobsNot published
2000Small arms jobs10,091Small arms pay$35,023Ammunition jobs7,794Ammunition pay$42,686Establishments232Federal jobsNot published
1999Small arms jobs10,298Small arms pay$35,729Ammunition jobs8,340Ammunition pay$43,045Establishments241Federal jobsNot published
1998Small arms jobs10,055Small arms pay$33,830Ammunition jobs8,777Ammunition pay$41,440Establishments245Federal jobsNot published
1997Small arms jobs11,145Small arms pay$32,005Ammunition jobs9,384Ammunition pay$39,215Establishments240Federal jobsNot published
1996Small arms jobs12,084Small arms pay$31,425Ammunition jobs9,436Ammunition pay$35,653Establishments235Federal jobsNot published
1995Small arms jobs12,837Small arms pay$32,045Ammunition jobs10,100Ammunition pay$36,111Establishments234Federal jobsNot published
1994Small arms jobs13,206Small arms pay$32,027Ammunition jobs9,760Ammunition pay$38,816Establishments228Federal jobsNot published
1993Small arms jobs13,042Small arms pay$30,866Ammunition jobs8,650Ammunition pay$34,054Establishments221Federal jobsNot published
1992Small arms jobs13,086Small arms pay$29,420Ammunition jobs8,859Ammunition pay$33,624Establishments218Federal jobsNot published
1991Small arms jobs13,617Small arms pay$27,952Ammunition jobs10,325Ammunition pay$31,856Establishments206Federal jobsNot published
1990Small arms jobs14,190Small arms pay$27,877Ammunition jobs10,829Ammunition pay$29,826Establishments199Federal jobsNot published
Cite a figure from this section (3)

How many background checks does the FBI run?

The FBI’s background check system (NICS) ran 26,123,215 firearm checks in 2025. That is 7.0% fewer than in 2024 and 34% below the 2020 high of 39,695,315. A check is not a sale: states also run checks for carry permits and permit rechecks. [5]

So far in 2026 the count is flat: 17,430,065 checks from January through August, against 17,457,892 in the same days of 2025.

FBI NICS firearm background checks per year, 1999–2025 checks

2025: 26,123,215 · 2024: 28,097,205 · 7.0% fewer

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, daily U.S. counts added up by calendar year. Years with only some days on record are left out.

Checks per month, September 2024 – August 2026 checks

August 2026: 2,111,146 · August 2025: 1,811,947 · 16.5% more

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, daily U.S. counts added up by month. A month is shown only when every day in it is reported once.

Busiest days on record

  1. March 17, 2021 · Wednesday236,295
  2. March 30, 2021 · Tuesday220,655
  3. November 24, 2023 · Friday214,913
  4. March 25, 2021 · Thursday212,008
  5. March 20, 2020 · Friday210,308

Source: FBI NICS firearm checks, daily U.S. counts from November 30, 1998 to August 31, 2026.

  • 26,123,215firearm background checks in 2025, against 28,097,205 in 2024FBI NICS · 2025 · sum of 365 daily totalsCite
  • 75,325checks on Monday, August 31, 2026, the latest day on recordFBI NICS · U.S. daily countCite
  • 76.4checks per 1,000 residents in 2025, using the Census July 1, 2025 population estimateCalculated: FBI NICS 2025 ÷ Census population × 1,000Cite
Show all 27 years · checks per year
FBI NICS firearm background checks by calendar year, sums of daily counts
YearChecks
2025Checks26,123,215
2024Checks28,097,205
2023Checks29,854,176
2022Checks31,596,646
2021Checks38,876,673
2020Checks39,695,315
2019Checks28,369,750
2018Checks26,181,936
2017Checks25,235,215
2016Checks27,538,673
2015Checks23,141,970
2014Checks20,968,547
Earlier years, 1999–2013
FBI NICS firearm background checks by calendar year, sums of daily counts, 1999–2013
YearChecks
2013Checks21,093,273
2012Checks19,592,303
2011Checks16,454,951
2010Checks14,409,616
2009Checks14,033,824
2008Checks12,709,023
2007Checks11,177,335
2006Checks10,036,933
2005Checks8,952,945
2004Checks8,687,671
2003Checks8,481,588
2002Checks8,454,322
2001Checks8,910,191
2000Checks8,543,037
1999Checks9,138,123
FBI NICS firearm background checks by month, June 2023 – August 2026, sums of daily counts
MonthChecks
August 2026Checks2,111,146
July 2026Checks2,194,363
June 2026Checks2,060,462
May 2026Checks1,942,981
April 2026Checks2,131,861
March 2026Checks2,450,414
February 2026Checks2,151,807
January 2026Checks2,387,031
December 2025Checks2,299,168
November 2025Checks2,090,672
October 2025Checks2,344,310
September 2025Checks1,931,173
August 2025Checks1,811,947
July 2025Checks2,006,292
June 2025Checks1,976,635
May 2025Checks2,079,232
April 2025Checks2,284,806
March 2025Checks2,575,550
February 2025Checks2,322,106
January 2025Checks2,401,324
December 2024Checks2,757,367
November 2024Checks2,593,565
October 2024Checks2,374,172
September 2024Checks2,165,851
Earlier months, June 2023 – August 2024
FBI NICS firearm background checks by month, June 2023 – August 2026, sums of daily counts, June 2023 – August 2024
MonthChecks
August 2024Checks2,254,599
July 2024Checks2,103,800
June 2024Checks2,045,170
May 2024Checks2,126,085
April 2024Checks2,372,302
March 2024Checks2,626,068
February 2024Checks2,440,730
January 2024Checks2,237,496
December 2023Checks2,730,855
November 2023Checks2,652,870
October 2023Checks2,255,089
September 2023Checks2,104,825
August 2023Checks2,143,982
July 2023Checks2,015,789
June 2023Checks2,262,750
Cite a figure from this section (7)

How many federal firearms licenses are there?

ATF’s August 2026 list holds 77,150 license records, down from 82,263 in September 2022. A record is one license, not one store, and one business can hold several. [7]

Federal firearms license records, January 2021 to August 2026 records

August 2026: 77,150 · August 2025: 78,108 · 1.2% fewer

The scale starts at 60,000 to show the change.

Source: ATF Federal Firearms Listings, monthly lists. ATF did not publish a usable list for June 2021 or April 2022, so those months are gaps, not zero. 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. ATF’s public list leaves out collector (type 03) licenses, so they are not counted here. That does not mean there are none.

  • 77,150federal firearms license records on the August 2026 list; 78,108 a year earlierATF Federal Firearms Listings · August 2026 · United StatesCite
Show all 68 months
Federal firearms license records on ATF’s monthly list
MonthLicense records
August 2026License records77,150
July 2026License records77,485
June 2026License records77,606
May 2026License records77,514
April 2026License records77,361
March 2026License records77,320
February 2026License records77,370
January 2026License records77,197
December 2025License records77,241
November 2025License records72,102Federal shutdown: ATF paused license renewals, so licenses waiting on renewal are missing from this list
October 2025License records69,498
September 2025License records77,611
August 2025License records78,108
July 2025License records78,241
June 2025License records78,351
May 2025License records78,435
April 2025License records78,363
March 2025License records78,277
February 2025License records78,316
January 2025License records78,408
December 2024License records78,349
November 2024License records78,795
October 2024License records78,991
September 2024License records78,878
Earlier months, January 2021 – August 2024
Federal firearms license records on ATF’s monthly list, January 2021 – August 2024
MonthLicense records
August 2024License records79,451
July 2024License records79,692
June 2024License records79,538
May 2024License records79,747
April 2024License records80,280
March 2024License records80,361
February 2024License records80,704
January 2024License records80,848
December 2023License records81,031
November 2023License records81,407
October 2023License records81,585
September 2023License records81,799
August 2023License records81,885
July 2023License records81,778
June 2023License records82,108
May 2023License records82,037
April 2023License records81,999
March 2023License records81,944
February 2023License records81,999
January 2023License records81,904
December 2022License records82,169
November 2022License records82,210
October 2022License records81,956
September 2022License records82,263
August 2022License records82,160
July 2022License records82,187
June 2022License records82,150
May 2022License records81,933
April 2022License recordsNot available
March 2022License records81,730
February 2022License records81,761
January 2022License records81,627
December 2021License records81,486
November 2021License records81,403
October 2021License records81,363
September 2021License records81,254
August 2021License records80,761
July 2021License records80,854
June 2021License recordsNot available
May 2021License records79,867
April 2021License records79,630
March 2021License records79,331
February 2021License records79,102
January 2021License records78,828
Cite a figure from this section (3)

What does the U.S. import and export?

The U.S. imported 2,467,281 pistols in 2025 and exported 292,659. Cartridges went the other way: $532.1 million of loaded cartridges exported against $294.9 million imported, the only year since 2010 that exports came out ahead. [8]

Imports and exports by product, 2010–2025 customs value, current dollars

  • Imports (general imports)
  • Exports

Pistols

2025: $597.8 million in · $174.5 million out

Rifles

2025: $248.5 million in · $136.0 million out

Shotguns

2025: $336.9 million in · $19.4 million out

Loaded cartridges

2025: $294.9 million in · $532.1 million out

Source: Census international trade, monthly U.S. values added up by calendar year. Each panel has its own scale. Values are customs values, not retail sales.

Imports and exports by product, 2025

  • General imports
  • Exports
  • Pistols$597.8 million in$174.5 million out
  • Loaded cartridges$294.9 million in$532.1 million out
  • Rifles$248.5 million in$136.0 million out
  • Shotguns$336.9 million in$19.4 million out
  • Military rifles$375,664 in$150.2 million out
  • Military machine guns$2.2 million in$141.4 million out
  • Shotgun shells and parts$69.4 million in$40.5 million out
  • Revolvers$54.9 million in$14.1 million out

Source: Census international trade, the twelve months of 2025 added up. Products are not added together. Exports count goods leaving the country, wherever they were made.

  • 2,467,281pistols imported in 2025; 292,659 exportedCensus trade · 2025 · sum of 12 months, unitsCite
  • 967,066shotguns imported in 2025; 50,565 exportedCensus trade · 2025 · sum of 12 months, unitsCite
  • 835,834rifles imported in 2025; 200,435 exportedCensus trade · 2025 · sum of 12 months, unitsCite
Show 2025 by product · value and units · every year since 2010–2025
Imports and exports by product, 2025
ProductImportsExportsImports, unitsExports, units
PistolsImports$597,848,123Exports$174,509,513Imports, units2,467,281Exports, units292,659
Loaded cartridgesImports$294,898,982Exports$532,096,772Imports, units1,480,723,432Exports, units924,023,855
RiflesImports$248,490,157Exports$135,997,371Imports, units835,834Exports, units200,435
ShotgunsImports$336,943,829Exports$19,447,787Imports, units967,066Exports, units50,565
Military riflesImports$375,664Exports$150,199,802Imports, units1,035Exports, units113,131
Military machine gunsImports$2,193,666Exports$141,449,443Imports, units1,582Exports, units47,541
Shotgun shells and partsImports$69,435,164Exports$40,455,339Imports, units280,486,599Exports, units45,979,990
RevolversImports$54,919,782Exports$14,079,376Imports, units223,291Exports, units22,358
Muzzle-loading firearmsImports$18,491,685ExportsNot available (11 of 12 months)Imports, units108,405Exports, unitsNot reported
Other explosive-charge firearmsImports$1,472,187Exports$9,310,867Imports, units32,781Exports, units85,568
Combination shotgun-riflesImports$2,554,036Exports$4,604,570Imports, units4,662Exports, units7,910
Rifles with telescopic sightsImports$404,050ExportsNot reportedImports, units13,450Exports, unitsNot reported
Military shotgunsImports$84,558ExportsNot available (11 of 12 months)Imports, units57Exports, unitsNot reported
Pistols: imports and exports by year, customs value
YearImportsExports
2025Imports$597,848,123Exports$174,509,513
2024Imports$707,655,131Exports$138,685,815
2023Imports$800,744,480Exports$141,644,015
2022Imports$961,968,827Exports$170,501,310
2021Imports$1,112,493,056Exports$140,761,345
2020Imports$810,065,863Exports$181,986,944
2019Imports$519,193,012Exports$95,682,295
2018Imports$606,809,494Exports$161,561,996
2017Imports$643,309,204Exports$110,361,543
2016Imports$737,072,524Exports$98,653,647
2015Imports$479,675,391Exports$79,936,384
2014Imports$484,843,330Exports$94,706,265
Earlier years, 2010–2013
Pistols: imports and exports by year, customs value, 2010–2013
YearImportsExports
2013Imports$641,038,266Exports$94,233,043
2012Imports$513,133,525Exports$76,650,127
2011Imports$316,871,383Exports$78,545,112
2010Imports$311,797,628Exports$71,269,433
Rifles: imports and exports by year, customs value
YearImportsExports
2025Imports$248,490,157Exports$135,997,371
2024Imports$283,089,888Exports$141,815,372
2023Imports$336,454,462Exports$157,853,484
2022Imports$285,723,707Exports$163,833,696
2021Imports$265,763,158Exports$101,024,579
2020Imports$189,992,376Exports$85,363,220
2019Imports$162,752,714Exports$96,177,045
2018Imports$145,849,889Exports$96,278,545
2017Imports$139,162,805Exports$103,068,155
2016Imports$163,699,307Exports$90,020,689
2015Imports$156,467,561Exports$101,062,325
2014Imports$189,357,867Exports$128,902,854
Earlier years, 2010–2013
Rifles: imports and exports by year, customs value, 2010–2013
YearImportsExports
2013Imports$272,117,299Exports$134,928,550
2012Imports$206,359,773Exports$104,186,737
2011Imports$142,661,559Exports$84,784,923
2010Imports$106,787,875Exports$72,498,853
Shotguns: imports and exports by year, customs value
YearImportsExports
2025Imports$336,943,829Exports$19,447,787
2024Imports$391,668,106Exports$19,709,552
2023Imports$382,243,990Exports$28,265,416
2022Imports$460,339,416Exports$26,235,739
2021Imports$644,012,878Exports$20,952,682
2020Imports$379,683,625Exports$13,628,547
2019Imports$268,308,981Exports$16,310,747
2018Imports$244,679,897Exports$15,600,128
2017Imports$207,712,206Exports$14,503,565
2016Imports$244,573,281Exports$21,946,333
2015Imports$239,730,649Exports$29,907,704
2014Imports$250,841,243Exports$45,941,328
Earlier years, 2010–2013
Shotguns: imports and exports by year, customs value, 2010–2013
YearImportsExports
2013Imports$264,774,623Exports$41,553,095
2012Imports$211,951,940Exports$35,891,769
2011Imports$168,904,235Exports$40,558,765
2010Imports$146,055,858Exports$37,374,236
Loaded cartridges: imports and exports by year, customs value
YearImportsExports
2025Imports$294,898,982Exports$532,096,772
2024Imports$617,328,751Exports$477,574,348
2023Imports$516,102,572Exports$391,865,268
2022Imports$607,866,834Exports$439,280,259
2021Imports$790,245,832Exports$284,412,407
2020Imports$460,505,429Exports$202,621,954
2019Imports$241,265,495Exports$228,922,617
2018Imports$276,694,648Exports$254,521,641
2017Imports$387,678,824Exports$282,592,822
2016Imports$609,658,980Exports$255,510,777
2015Imports$485,549,592Exports$266,095,526
2014Imports$571,005,871Exports$211,786,024
Earlier years, 2010–2013
Loaded cartridges: imports and exports by year, customs value, 2010–2013
YearImportsExports
2013Imports$538,459,297Exports$201,752,563
2012Imports$354,807,407Exports$220,829,033
2011Imports$310,115,350Exports$247,006,878
2010Imports$408,164,880Exports$181,453,531
Cite a figure from this section (31)

How do gun and ammunition taxes fund conservation?

The federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition brought in $807,506,000 in fiscal 2025. [9] That tax and a tax on archery gear pay for Wildlife Restoration. For fiscal 2026 the program apportioned $842,403,264 to state and territorial wildlife agencies, in its 88th year. [10]

Firearms and ammunition excise tax collected, FY 2004–FY 2025 current dollars

FY 2025: $807,506,000 · FY 2024: $892,842,000 · 9.6% less

Source: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) tax collections, final totals by fiscal year. Fiscal years end September 30. So far in fiscal 2026: $366,601,000, a provisional count, not a full-year total.

Wildlife Restoration apportionments, FY 1939–FY 2026 current dollars

FY 2026: $842,403,264 · FY 2025: $914,392,695 · 7.9% less

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. totals including hunter education. Not adjusted for inflation.

  • $807,506,000final total of the excise tax on firearms and ammunition for fiscal 2025; $892,842,000 for fiscal 2024TTB · FY 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025)Cite
  • $366,601,000collected in the first two quarters of fiscal 2026, a provisional count, not a full-year totalTTB · FY 2026 · provisionalCite
  • $842,403,264apportioned for fiscal 2026 through Wildlife Restoration, including hunter education; the high was $1,198,616,238 for fiscal 2023USFWS · FY 2026 · states and territories, with hunter educationCite
Show all 22 fiscal years · excise tax
Firearms and ammunition excise tax collected, final fiscal-year totals
Fiscal yearCollected
FY 2025Collected$807,506,000
FY 2024Collected$892,842,000
FY 2023Collected$943,960,000
FY 2022Collected$1,150,842,000
FY 2021Collected$1,102,708,000
FY 2020Collected$665,253,000
FY 2019Collected$567,258,000
FY 2018Collected$620,419,000
FY 2017Collected$761,605,000
FY 2016Collected$749,812,000
FY 2015Collected$638,518,000
FY 2014Collected$768,927,000
Earlier fiscal years, FY 2004–FY 2013
Firearms and ammunition excise tax collected, final fiscal-year totals, FY 2004–FY 2013
Fiscal yearCollected
FY 2013Collected$762,836,000
FY 2012Collected$514,622,000
FY 2011Collected$344,262,000
FY 2010Collected$360,814,000
FY 2009Collected$452,692,000
FY 2008Collected$312,622,000
FY 2007Collected$287,836,000
FY 2006Collected$248,744,000
FY 2005Collected$225,813,000
FY 2004Collected$215,387,000
Show all 88 fiscal years · apportionments
Wildlife Restoration apportionments, including hunter education
Fiscal yearTotal apportionedHunter Education, basic (Section 4(c))Hunter Education, enhanced (Section 10)
FY 2026Total$842,403,264Hunter Education, basic$155,117,690Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2025Total$914,392,695Hunter Education, basic$156,968,885Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2024Total$989,531,728Hunter Education, basic$180,780,311Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2023Total$1,198,616,238Hunter Education, basic$228,771,678Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2022Total$1,115,157,974Hunter Education, basic$223,223,776Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2021Total$678,894,449Hunter Education, basic$133,242,131Hunter Education, enhanced$8,016,000
FY 2020Total$601,827,014Hunter Education, basic$118,801,166Hunter Education, enhanced$8,024,000
FY 2019Total$673,586,164Hunter Education, basic$127,204,257Hunter Education, enhanced$8,048,000
FY 2018Total$797,160,652Hunter Education, basic$150,752,550Hunter Education, enhanced$8,008,000
FY 2017Total$780,031,696Hunter Education, basic$142,628,785Hunter Education, enhanced$7,992,000
FY 2016Total$695,141,699Hunter Education, basic$122,537,840Hunter Education, enhanced$8,040,000
FY 2015Total$808,492,189Hunter Education, basic$136,959,621Hunter Education, enhanced$7,992,000
Earlier fiscal years, FY 1939–FY 2014
Wildlife Restoration apportionments, including hunter education, FY 1939–FY 2014
Fiscal yearTotal apportionedHunter Education, basic (Section 4(c))Hunter Education, enhanced (Section 10)
FY 2014Total$760,973,830Hunter Education, basic$130,476,736Hunter Education, enhanced$7,719,459
FY 2013Total$522,552,011Hunter Education, basic$98,445,395Hunter Education, enhanced$7,704,541
FY 2012Total$371,274,752Hunter Education, basic$71,107,348Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2011Total$384,318,790Hunter Education, basic$71,232,701Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2010Total$472,719,710Hunter Education, basic$78,672,396Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2009Total$336,474,545Hunter Education, basic$56,738,770Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2008Total$309,686,579Hunter Education, basic$53,683,907Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2007Total$266,592,809Hunter Education, basic$43,182,252Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2006Total$233,310,443Hunter Education, basic$33,812,060Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2005Total$235,455,853Hunter Education, basic$38,277,631Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2004Total$203,674,379Hunter Education, basic$30,377,906Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2003Total$213,456,365Hunter Education, basic$31,133,354Hunter Education, enhanced$8,000,000
FY 2002Total$188,656,906Hunter Education, basic$28,725,526Hunter Education, enhanced$7,500,000
FY 2001Total$204,184,371Hunter Education, basic$28,952,474Hunter Education, enhanced$7,500,000
FY 2000Total$193,168,232Hunter Education, basic$29,201,362Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1999Total$165,353,469Hunter Education, basic$26,920,401Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1998Total$154,808,373Hunter Education, basic$27,648,099Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1997Total$165,790,260Hunter Education, basic$28,552,197Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1996Total$202,377,513Hunter Education, basic$41,875,742Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1995Total$211,000,000Hunter Education, basic$39,205,326Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1994Total$182,081,113Hunter Education, basic$37,288,017Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1993Total$156,900,000Hunter Education, basic$32,200,000Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1992Total$150,600,000Hunter Education, basic$27,900,000Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1991Total$157,400,000Hunter Education, basic$32,700,000Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1990Total$117,200,000Hunter Education, basic$20,700,510Hunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1989Total$119,000,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1988Total$109,900,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1987Total$108,028,900Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1986Total$107,471,100Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1985Total$79,100,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1984Total$88,450,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1983Total$107,060,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1982Total$116,960,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1981Total$83,394,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1980Total$89,000,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1979Total$82,200,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1978Total$62,900,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1977Total$84,400,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1976Total$58,600,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1975Total$53,470,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1974Total$47,385,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1973Total$41,045,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1972Total$34,455,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1971Total$30,799,999Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1970Total$31,675,001Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1969Total$30,319,999Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1968Total$26,320,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1967Total$23,532,998Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1966Total$19,235,998Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1965Total$16,735,003Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1964Total$16,673,077Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1963Total$13,676,573Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1962Total$14,250,666Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1961Total$14,239,298Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1960Total$15,318,273Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1959Total$16,526,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1958Total$17,100,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1957Total$16,380,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1956Total$14,423,994Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1955Total$9,906,800Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1954Total$11,904,903Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1953Total$10,145,106Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1952Total$17,311,031Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1951Total$8,790,517Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1950Total$9,963,397Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1949Total$10,825,620Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1948Total$8,308,772Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1947Total$2,300,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1946Total$900,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1945Total$817,500Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1944Total$920,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1943Total$1,150,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1942Total$2,570,600Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1941Total$2,300,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1940Total$1,400,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
FY 1939Total$890,000Hunter Education, basicWithheldHunter Education, enhancedWithheld
Cite a figure from this section (7)

How many paid hunting-license holders do states certify?

States certified 15,751,337 paid hunting-license holders for 2024. A hunter licensed in two states is counted in each, so this is a count of certifications, not of people. [10]

  • 15,751,337paid hunting-license holders, 50 states, license year 2024USFWS certifications · 2024 · sum of 50 states by USA ArmsCite

States with the most license holders, 2024

  1. Texas1,117,858
  2. Pennsylvania1,031,218
  3. Georgia815,738
  4. Tennessee734,342
  5. Wisconsin652,399
  6. Michigan632,144
  7. North Carolina581,521
  8. New York533,479
  9. Minnesota527,774
  10. Missouri521,787

Source: USFWS, license year 2024.

Cite a figure from this section (1)

How do the states compare?

Plants in New Hampshire and Tennessee made 26.7% of the firearms reported in 2024. Pick a measure to color the map and sort the table. Each state links to its own 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 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$14.4M
  • 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.

Research built on these figures

These studies dig deeper into the same figures: findings you can cite, the chart behind them and the full data. Each is updated every year.

  1. Who makes America's guns?Inside: Look up a name in the filings · production by state, year by year · compare two states or two years
  2. When do Americans run firearm background checks?Inside: A calendar of every day since 1998 · How unusual was this date? · the days around Black Friday
  3. Firearm background checks per person, by stateInside: Rates per 1,000 residents for every state · permit checks counted separately · calculate a state’s check mix
  4. How do federal firearms license counts and types differ by state?Inside: License records and types for every state · each state’s mix against the U.S. · compare two states
  5. Where are hunting licenses most common?Inside: License holders per 100 residents on a map of every state · every state ranked · each state’s nonresident share · every state and year since 2010 in the download

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.

National datasets

Our cleaned national files, whole. Source-level detail beyond them is at each agency’s own dataset page, listed below.

  • Federal firearms license records by state, type and monthATF Federal Firearms Licensee listing records by state, license type and month since 2021, with the national monthly count. A license record is not a storefront, sale or unique company.CSVJSON
  • Manufacturing filings ledger (ATF AFMER)Every ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report filing by production year, with its reported production by firearm type. Individual licensees are not named.CSVJSON
  • Fifty-state comparisonThe fifty states side by side for the newest period of each compared measure, with each state’s rank where one is published.CSVJSON
  1. [1] Census AIES, ASM and Economic Censuscalendar years 2013–2024www.census.gov
  2. [2] BLS producer and consumer price indexesproducer price index, annual averages, 2012–2025data.bls.gov
  3. [3] ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reportcalendar years 2004–2024www.atf.gov
  4. [4] BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wagescalendar years 1990–2025; private jobs by state, 2025www.bls.gov
  5. [5] FBI NICS firearm checksdaily national counts, January 1, 1999 – August 31, 2026www.fbi.gov
  6. [6] Census population estimates and ACSPopulation estimates and American Community Surveywww.census.gov
  7. [7] ATF Federal Firearms Listingsmonthly lists, January 2021 – August 2026www.atf.gov
  8. [8] Census international trademonthly, January–December 2025www.census.gov
  9. [9] TTB tax collection statisticsfinal fiscal-year totals, FY 2004–2025; FY 2026 first two quarters, provisionalwww.ttb.gov
  10. [10] USFWS Wildlife Restoration and Hunter Education apportionmentsnominal dollars, fiscal years 1939–2026; paid hunting-license holders by state, license year 2024www.fws.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.