Americans collectively own more firearms than ever before.
According to new estimates from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, civilian gun ownership in the United States has surpassed the 500 million mark, reaching an estimated 506.1 million firearms currently in private hands.
While production has cooled from the record-setting levels seen during the pandemic years, overall firearm sales remain historically strong. The market appears to have settled into what the industry describes as a new baseline rather than returning to pre-2020 norms.
That trend is reflected in adjusted data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Instant Criminal Background Check System. According to NSSF-adjusted NICS figures, more than 15 million firearms were sold in the United States during 2024. That represents a modest 3.5 percent decrease from 2023, but still places annual sales well above levels seen before the surge in gun buying that began in 2020. For context, that year saw more than 21 million NICS checks that were likely tied to firearm purchases.
Taken together, the numbers paint a clear picture. Despite fluctuations in annual production, civilian firearm ownership in the United States continues to grow, reinforcing the reality that privately owned guns remain deeply embedded in American society and culture.
That figure is based on a review of federal manufacturing and import data compiled from 1990 through 2023 using records from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The estimate accounts for firearms manufactured domestically and sold within the United States, as well as firearms imported for the commercial market.
The data also sheds light on the continued growth of Americaâs modern sporting rifle inventory. Since 1990, more than 32 million AR-type rifles have entered circulation. While production of these rifles declined sharply between 2022 and 2023, falling by roughly 46 percent, overall ownership continued to rise. Total AR-style rifles in civilian possession increased by approximately 4.5 percent over that period, growing from about 30.7 million to just over 32 million.
Looking specifically at 2023, a total of 13,574,653 firearms were made available to the U.S. market when imports are included. Handguns accounted for the majority, with 8,176,535 units, followed by 3,899,907 rifles and 1,498,211 shotguns. Domestic firearm production for the year totaled 8,466,729 units, representing a 15.4 percent decline from 2022.
Scott Witner
Scott Witner is a former Marine Corps Infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, and served with the 24th MEU(SOC) during a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean. Heâs completed specialized training in desert warfare, mountain warfare, and jungle operations across the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. With over a decade in the firearms and outdoor industry, Scott has helped leading brands grow their visibility and reach through strategic marketing and content development. He currently resides in Northeastern Ohio, where he enjoys hiking, shooting, and testing related gear in the environments itâs intended to be used in.
ME: You canât dispute the numbers folkâs. (and the POWER behind those numbers)
