WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF®, the Firearm Industry Trade Association, released the Firearm Production in the United States including the Firearm Import and Export Data 2024 Edition (reporting 2022 data) to its members. The report compiles the most up-to-date information based on data sourced from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF’s) Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reports (AFMER). Key findings for public release showed:
The estimated total number of firearms in civilian possession from 1990-2022 is 491.3 million, according to data in reports such as ATF Firearms Commerce in the United States, ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Reports and Congressional Research Service and including the collective ATF Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER) reports up to the 2022 edition.
- Total firearm domestic production reported in the 2022 AFMER was 10,011,200 – a decrease of 20.0 percent from 2021 reported figures.
- Data indicates that 30,711,000 Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) are in circulation since 1990.
- Modern Sporting Rifle production decreased 30.7 percent from 2021 to 2022. This increased the estimated amount of MSRs produced (since 1990) by 9.1 percent from 28.1 million to 30.7 million.
- In 2022, 16,045,911 total firearms were made available for the U.S. market, which includes firearms that were domestically produced plus those imported, minus exported firearms. Of those, 9,873,136 were handguns, 4,195,192 were rifles and 1,977,583 were shotguns.
- Firearm and ammunition manufacturing accounted for over 13,400 employees producing over $5.8 billion in goods shipped in 2022.
- From 1990 to 2022, 270,799,283 firearms have been made available to the U.S. market
“This report reflects what we witnessed in 2022, as background checks for the sale of a firearm at retail were coming off the peaks of 2020 and 2021. American firearm manufacturers adjusted their production schedules and continued to deliver the highest quality firearms for law-abiding Americans, said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. “This is indicative of the resilience of the U.S. firearm manufacturing sector and the U.S. firearm sales markets and the continuing demand signal for Americans who choose to exercise their Second Amendment rights. The data continues to show that the Modern Sporting Rifle is the most popular centerfire rifle sold in America today with over 30.7 million in circulation and being used for lawful purposes every day. The continued popularity of handguns demonstrates a strong interest by Americans to protect themselves and their homes, and to participate in the recreational shooting sports.”
About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.
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