USA Firearms Production Has Tripled Since 2001
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Notably, over the past two decades, firearms production in the United States has tripled — from 2,911,346 in 2001, to 9,739,335 in 2020. In fact, peak production was reached in 2016, with 10,664,318 rifle, pistols, and shotguns produced. The annual production of shotguns has actually declined slightly over the past 20 years, but the production of handguns has soared. Check out this table:
In recent years, the U.S. firearms industry has been presented with unprecedented opportunities, as well as rising obstacles. Shooting Industry magazine’s annual U.S. Firearms Industry Today Report looks back to where it all began: 2020. Using the latest available data from ATF, this report delves into U.S. firearms production — revealing the top producers across all firearm categories — and includes analysis on historical NICS background check trends and the latest import/export figures.
“While 2020 represented the highest demand year, it was not … a record production year for the U.S. firearms industry”, observed SI Editor Jade Moldae. “Supply chain challenges, raw material sourcing issues, COVID-impacted shutdowns and labor shortages impacted business in 2020, to name a few.”
The firearms industry is a significant component of the U.S. national economy: “According to NSSF’s 2022 Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report, the industry’s total economic influence ballooned from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $70.52 billion in 2021, a 269% jump. Year-over-year, the industry’s economic impact rose 11.1% (from $63.5 billion in 2020).
Corresponding with a rising economic impact, the total number of full-time equivalent jobs in the industry increased from approximately 166,000 in 2008 to over 375,000 in 2020 (126% increase). From 2020 to 2021, total jobs grew from 342,330 to 375,819 (9.8%).
Highlights from the report:
• Total Firearms Production has TRIPLED since year 2001, boosted primarily with handgun sales (see chart).
• After hitting a near 10-year low in 2019, U.S. firearms production jumped 53.3% in 2020 (from 6,353,124 to 9,739,335 firearms). This was the biggest year-over-year jump since 1993, which recorded a 66.5% increase over 1992.
• A record 6,502,261 handguns were produced in the U.S. in 2020. 9mm pistol paced handgun production, with about three out of every five handguns produced in 2020 were chambered in the caliber.
• Smith & Wesson set a new benchmark in firearms production with 2,320,963 firearms, while Ruger (1,659,324) and SIG SAUER (1,077,019) passed the 1 million mark.
CLICK HERE for Full Shooting Industry Report »
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Tags: Firearms Production, Gun Industry Report, Handgun Sales, Shooting Industry
