Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report 2024
This NSSF report details the significant economic impact the firearm and ammunition industry has on our economy, both nationally and at the state level. The economic growth America’s firearm and ammunition industry has experienced in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable and has been driven by an unprecedented number of Americans choosing to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms. This includes an estimated 4.3 million new gun owners in 2023.
The report also highlights the significant impact the firearm and ammunition industry has on wildlife conservation funding in America through its growing Pittman-Robertson excise tax contributions to the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund which exceeded $944 million in 2023.
Regardless of economic conditions across the country, our industry is consistently growing and represented by over 384,000 well-paying jobs. Our industry is proud to be one of the bright spots in our economy.
Take a look for yourself and see the impact we have nationally and on your home state.
The Firearm Industry Creates Jobs in America
United States companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell sporting firearms, ammunition, and supplies are an important part of the country’s economy. Manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and supplies, along with the companies that sell and distribute these products, provide well-paying jobs in America and pay significant amounts in tax to the state and Federal governments.
Economic Impact of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Industry in the United States
Direct | Supplier | Induced | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jobs (FTE) | 154,611 | 104,048 | 125,778 | 384,437 |
Wages | $8,850,080,200 | $8,891,338,600 | $8,233,714,500 | $25,975,133,300 |
Economic Impact | $33,494,264,700 | $29,928,331,900 | $26,635,095,700 | $90,057,692,300 |
The Firearm & Ammunition Industry is an Important Part of America’s Economy
Companies in the United States that manufacture, distribute, and sell firearms, ammunition, and hunting equipment employ as many as 154,611 people in the country and generate an additional 229,826 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries. These include jobs in supplying goods and services to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, and those that depend on sales to workers in the firearm and ammunition industry.1
These are good jobs paying an average of $67,600 in wages and benefits. And today, every job is important. The United States currently has an unemployment rate of 3.40 percent. This means that there are already 6,377,000 people trying to find jobs in the nation and collecting unemployment benefits.2
The Economic Benefit of the Industry Spreads Throughout the Country
Not only does the manufacture and sale of firearms and hunting supplies create good jobs in the United States, but the industry also contributes to the economy as a whole. In fact, in 2023 the firearm and ammunition industry was responsible for as much as $90.06 billion in total economic activity in the country.
The broader economic impact flows throughout the economy, generating business for firms seemingly unrelated to firearms. Real people, with real jobs, working in industries as varied as banking, retail, accounting, metal working, even in printing, all depend on the firearm and ammunition industry for their livelihood.
The Country Also Benefits From the Taxes Paid By The Industry
Not only does the industry create jobs, it also generates sizeable tax revenues. In the United States, the industry and its employees pay over $10.90 billion in taxes including property, income, and sales based levies.3
Of the $998 million in excise tax paid to Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Fund in 2023, $944 million came from firearms and ammunition.
Taxes Generated in the United States
Tax Impact | Business Taxes | Excise Taxes |
---|---|---|
Federal Taxes | $6,796,350,000 | $944,007,500 |
State Taxes | $4,105,610,300 | |
Total Taxes | $10,901,960,300 | $944,007,500 |