American gun sales and manufacturing activity witnessed major fluctuations over the last five years, ultimately settling at a new post-pandemic baseline. The U.S. remains the global epicenter for civilian gun ownership, both in aggregate numbers and per capita rates.
Despite a marked cooling since the 2020–2021 surge, demand continues to eclipse pre-pandemic levels and supports a deep, diverse, and complex market.
Methodology
This report integrates the latest publicly available data from authoritative sources such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), industry trade groups, and independent market analyses published up to September 2025. The primary statistics referenced include annual firearm sales volumes, manufacturing output, import-export figures, civilian gun ownership surveys, and economic impact assessments. These sources compile comprehensive datasets through federal regulatory filings, retailer reporting, consumer surveys, and manufacturing disclosures.
Limitations include the inherent delays in official government data publication, which may impact absolute currency. Market estimates rely on extrapolated retail and licensing data that can vary by state due to inconsistent reporting standards. Demographic ownership trends derive from survey-based studies subject to sampling biases and shifting respondent self-reporting.
Additionally, underground and private firearm transfers are not systematically captured, potentially underestimating actual firearm movement and ownership. Despite these limits, triangulation across multiple reputable sources ensures a reliable and nuanced overview of American gun sales and manufacturing activity in 2025.
Firearm Sales Volume
In 2024, Americans purchased approximately 16.17 million firearms, down roughly 3% from the previous year. Forecasts for 2025 estimate national sales closing at about 15.5 million units, signifying a further 3–4% drop. Quarterly data from 2025 indicates this cooling is widespread and consistent, representing the continuation of a market correction.
This stabilized demand is still exceptionally high by historical standards. Even after the pandemic-driven spike peaked in 2020 with a record-setting 21.8 million firearms sold, today’s volume nearly doubles the annual figures seen in the early 2000s.
Modern Sporting Rifles, mainly AR-15 style platforms, have become a dominant category, with more than 30 million now in private circulation.
Civilian Gun Ownership
More than 500 million firearms—ranging from handguns and rifles to shotguns—are now estimated to be in civilian hands in the United States. Roughly 43% of American households report having at least one firearm on premises, while 32% of adults self-identify as gun owners.
By per capita measures, firearm prevalence stands at over 150 guns per 100 residents, which is unmatched globally.
Demographic Shifts in Gun Buying
The U.S. gun-owning demographic shows diversification. Women's gun ownership more than doubled since the early 1990s, and Hispanic ownership is up 33% since 2017. Notably, there’s a 22% decrease in reported gun ownership among adults aged 18–29. These figures reflect evolving attitudes, economic drivers, and social factors shaping gun ownership beyond the “traditional” profile.
Firearm Manufacturing Output
Production figures reflect sales patterns and market correction. In 2023, U.S. manufacturers produced 9.7 million firearms—a 15.5% drop from the previous year and nearly 30% below the 2021 peak of 13.8 million.
Handguns made up the majority of this output, with 9mm pistols alone constituting more than 60% of all pistols produced. Revolver production declined only slightly, but select calibers posted notable gains.
Forty manufacturers dominated the U.S. market in 2023, controlling over 92% of total domestic output. The top three states by manufacturing volume remain Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, though dozens of smaller facilities exist nationwide
Imports and Exports
Imports accounted for over 3 million firearms entering the U.S. market in 2024, chiefly from Austria, Brazil, and Italy. Exports comprised less than 5% of total domestic output, with under 480,000 guns shipped abroad last year.
The U.S. continues to hold a unique position as both the world’s largest consumer and a significant exporter of civilian arms.
Licensing Landscape and Regulatory Data
More than 135,000 Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders operate across the United States.
The licensing density is highest in Texas, California, and Florida, supporting robust retail, sporting, and collector traffic. Licensed transactions remain the industry’s backbone, although secondary and private market sales still play a vital role in certain states.
Financial and Economic Impact
The gun industry’s economic footprint is substantial: domestic gun and ammunition manufacturing revenues are projected to reach $19.6 billion in 2025, with the civilian share estimated near $9 billion.
The sector backs over 13,400 direct manufacturing jobs and supports hundreds of thousands more across supply, distribution, and retail networks. Tax receipts, including federal occupational and transfer taxes under the NFA, exceeded $32 million for the last fiscal year.
Industry Trends and Driving Factors
Market cycles remain strongly tied to political cycles, high-profile public safety incidents, regulatory changes, and broader economic pressures. The largest spikes in the last two decades correspond to election years and periods of public unrest.
With supply chain normalization, inflationary pressures, and a perceived lowering of federal regulatory threats, current trends indicate stabilization rather than contraction or new expansion.
Popular Gun Models and Leading Manufacturers
The U.S. gun market continues to be dominated by a select group of manufacturers and firearm models that collectively account for the majority of sales and production volume. Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Glock, SIG Sauer, and Palmetto State Armory are among the top manufacturers, representing over 60% of the firearm manufacturing output in 2024 and 2025.
Handguns, especially semi-automatic pistols, remain the most popular category. The 9mm caliber dominates the sales charts, accounting for over 60% of all new handgun production in 2023. Glock continues to lead the 9mm pistol segment, with models like the Glock 19 and Glock 17 consistently ranking as best-sellers due to their reliability, capacity, and law enforcement adoption.
Smith & Wesson's M&P series and Ruger's SR and LCP lines have also attracted significant consumer interest, especially among first-time buyers and concealed carry permit holders. Revolvers, though a smaller niche, stay steady with Ruger’s GP100 and LCR models maintaining loyal followings.
Semi-automatic rifles—primarily AR-15 style Modern Sporting Rifles—represent an expanding slice of the market. Palmetto State Armory leads in volume production of affordable AR variants, while Colt and Daniel Defense dominate the premium segment. More than 24 million AR-15 pattern rifles are estimated to be in private hands as of 2025.
Shotguns account for a smaller share of production but maintain steady demand among hunters and home defense users. Mossberg and Remington remain the top shotgun producers, with the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 models frequently cited among the most popular.
These manufacturers and models not only define consumer preferences but also influence broader market trends through innovation and brand loyalty, driving industry strategies and shaping the American firearms landscape.
Conclusion
The U.S. firearms industry, while down from its pandemic-era highs, remains more active and sophisticated than at any point before 2013. With over 500 million guns in private hands, stable retail output well above historic norms, and a complex economic footprint, American gun ownership and manufacturing are poised for incremental, not exponential, change in the near term. Shifting demographics and evolving manufacturer strategies will define the sector’s next chapter.
Sources
https://www.safehome.org/data/firearms-guns-statistics/
https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/data-statistics
https://ammo.com/articles/how-many-gun-owners-in-america
https://www.thetrace.org/2025/01/gun-sales-america-market-decline-data/
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/july-2025-sees-lowest-gun-sales-numbers-in-nearly-six-years/
https://freedomforallamericans.org/how-many-guns-are-in-america/
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https://www.nssf.org/government-relations/impact/
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