The NSSF (the firearm industry trade organization) has just released its Firearm Production Report for 2020. Including manufacturing data from 2018 and 2019, the report breaks down how many of each type of firearm was manufactured and imported, and approximately how many are in civilian possession. Here are the highlights:
- In 2018, 11.4 million total firearms were produced or imported in the United States (less exported firearms).
- Approximately one-half (48%) of all rifles produced and imported (less exports) in 2018 were Modern Sporting Rifles.
- Since 1990, there are an estimated 19.8 million Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) in circulation today.
- An interim 2019 estimate showed a total of 6 million total firearms were produced in the United States. Of those, 3.6 million were pistols and revolvers, 2 million were rifles and 480,000 were shotguns. Those are interim figures that will be updated when complete reports become available from the ATF.
- In 2019, there were approximately 3.3 million firearms imported into the United States which included 2.3 million pistols and revolvers, 301,000 rifles and 678,000 shotguns.
- From 1991 to 2019, nearly 214 million firearms have been made available to the U.S. market.
- According to reports such as: ATF Firearms Commerce in the United States, ATF AFMER and Congressional Research Service data, there are an estimated 434 million firearms in civilian possession in the United States.
- There are approximately 71.2 million pistol magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds, and 79.2 million rifle magazines capable of holding 30 or more rounds in circulation.
- Firearm and ammunition manufacturing accounted for nearly 12,000 employees producing over $3.9 billion in goods shipped in 2018. An estimated 8.7 billion rounds of all calibers and gauges were produced in 2018 for the U.S. market.
The complete report, and many other firearm industry studies and reports, can be found and purchased on the NSSF website.