The National Shooting Sports Foundation recently released the Firearm Production in the United States including the Firearm Import and Export Data 2023 Edition.

The report consists of the most up-to-date information based on data sourced from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reports. 

The report findings include:  1. The estimated total number of firearms in civilian possession from 1990-2021 is 473.2 million.

2. Total domestic firearm production reported in the 2021 report was 12,521,614, an increase of 28.6 percent over 2020 reported figures.

3. 28,144,000 Modern Sporting Rifles are in circulation since 1990.

4. Modern Sporting Rifles production increased 32 percent from 2020 to 2021. This increased the estimated amount of rifles produced since 1990 by 15 percent from 24.4 million to 28.1 million. 

5. In 2021, 21,037,810 total firearms were made available for the United States market, which includes firearms that were domestically produced plus those imported, minus exported firearms. Of those, 12,799,067 were handguns, 4,832,198 were rifles and 3,406,545 were shotguns.  

6. An interim 2022 estimate showed the total of 11,212,388 total firearms were domestically produced. Of those 6,148,877 were pistols, 830, 800 were revolvers, 3,575,322 were rifles and 662,389 were shotguns. Those are interim reports and will be updated when complete reports are available. 

Firearm and ammunition manufacturing accounted for over 12,400 employees producing over $5.6 billion in goods shipped in 2021. From 1990 to 2021, 254,733,372 firearms have been made available to the United States market.  

The National Shooting Sports Foundation President and CEO Joe Bartozzi said, “This report demonstrates the strength and durability of the United States firearm manufacturing sector and the United States firearm sales markets. The data continues to show that the Modern Sporting Rifle is the most popular centerfire rifle sold in America today with over 28.1 million in circulation and being used for lawful purposes every day. The continued popularity of handguns demonstrates a strong interest by Americans to protect themselves and their homes, and to participate in the recreational shooting sports.” 

Wisconsin Discounts Hunting and Fishing Licenses!

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced a new effort to get recruiting new hunters and retaining hunters who haven’t been in the field for quite some time, and it’s one that’s priced to make an impact. It’s part of its new “First Time Buyer” program, hunters who haven’t purchased a hunting license in the last 10 years will be able to purchase their hunting license for the reduced rate of only $5. Going even further, the state has made this offer available to both resident and non-resident hunters, new and old.

The licenses include firearm deer, archery, small game, trapping and spring and fall turkey hunting. Fishing licenses are also available through the program.