NEWTOWN, Conn. — The total economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $63.5 billion in 2019, a 232 percent increase, while the total number of full-time equivalent jobs rose from approximately 166,000 to over 342,330, a 106 percent increase in that period, according to a report released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation^®, the industry’s trade association.

On a year-over-year basis, the industry’s economic impact rose from $60 billion in 2019, to $63.5 billion. Total jobs increased by more than 10,000 in the same period, from nearly 332,000, to over 342,330. The broader impact of the industry throughout the economy, supports and generates business for firms seemingly unrelated to firearms, at a time when every job in America counts. These are real people, with real jobs, working in industries as varied as banking, retail, accounting, metal working and printing among others.

The firearm and ammunition industry paid nearly $7 billion in business taxes, including property, income and sales-based levies.

“The firearm industry has demonstrated amazing resilience and these economic impact figures are the result of every man and woman who comprise our industry,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “These professionals are the reason our industry continues to grow and contribute to our communities, states and nation. These workers and our member companies produce the highest quality firearms and ammunition that over a hundred million law-abiding Americans rely upon to exercise their right to keep and bear arms and safely enjoy the recreational shooting sports. This growth equals more jobs that add to our local economies, averaging $56,400 in wages and benefits. Since 2008 we increased federal tax payments by 170 percent, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes that support wildlife conservation by 89 percent and state business taxes by 125 percent.”

The Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report provides a state-by-state breakdown of job numbers, wages and output covering direct, supplier and induced employment, as well as federal excise taxes paid.

Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report 2021

This NSSF report details the significant economic impact the firearm and ammunition industry has on the nation’s and each state’s economy.

The economic growth America’s firearm and ammunition industry has experienced in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past decade, the industry’s growth has been driven by an unprecedented number of Americans choosing to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms and purchase a firearm and ammunition.

NSSF, representing America’s firearm and ammunition manufacturers, takes great pride in supporting wildlife conservation efforts. Noted in the economic impact report is the significant taxes paid by our industry to federal and state governments and the Pittman-Robertson excise tax the industry pays on the products it sells – this tax is the major source of wildlife conservation funding in America.

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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

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 153,414 people in the country and generate an additional 188,916 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 firearms and ammunition industry. [1]

These are good jobs paying an average of $56,400 in wages and benefits. And today, every job is important. The United States currently has an unemployment rate of 6.71 percent. This means that there are already 10,779,000 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 2020 the firearms and ammunition industry was responsible for as much as $63.49 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 firearms 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 $6.99 billion in taxes including property, income, and sales based levies. [3]

Taxes Generated in the United States

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