Inside the 2024 Firearms Commerce Report: Key Insights from a Decade of Data
Each year, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) releases its Firearms Commerce in the United States: Annual Statistical Update. The newly published 2024 edition provides a detailed statistical snapshot of the U.S. firearms industry, from manufacturing and exports to licensing and tax revenues. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most notable trends over the past decade.
U.S. Firearms Manufacturing Sees Steep Decline After Pandemic Boom
In 2021, U.S. firearm manufacturers produced nearly 13.8 million firearms—the highest in the past decade. But that number dropped to 9.8 million by 2023. Pistols made up the bulk of production in 2023, followed by rifles and shotguns. The spike in 2020–2021 is widely attributed to pandemic-related uncertainty and increased consumer demand.
Firearm Exports Remain Modest but Stable
In 2023, the U.S. exported just under 480,000 firearms—roughly 5% of the total firearms produced. Pistols and rifles led the export categories. While export levels have fluctuated, 2022 marked a recent high, with over 630,000 firearms shipped overseas.
Imports Tell a Different Story
The U.S. imported nearly 5.9 million firearms in 2023. Handguns led this category, with over 3.7 million units. Notably, countries like Turkey, Austria, and Brazil dominated import origins. Turkey alone shipped more than 1.2 million firearms to the U.S. last year.
Record Number of Importation Applications in 2023
Over 11,700 firearm import applications were processed in 2023—the highest in the past decade. These included submissions from licensed importers, the military, and other entities. The increase suggests sustained global trade activity despite a drop in domestic production.
National Firearms Act (NFA) Revenues and Registrations Rise
The ATF collected over $106 million in NFA taxes in 2023, more than double the amount collected in 2016. These revenues come from occupational taxes and transfer/making taxes on items like silencers, short-barreled rifles, and machine guns.
At the state level, Texas led with over 1.1 million registered NFA firearms, followed by Florida and California. Silencers were by far the most commonly registered NFA item nationwide.
Licensing Trends: A Slight Decline
There were 132,383 active federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in the U.S. at the end of 2023, a gradual decline from the 2013 peak of 139,244. Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania top the list for total licensees, while California saw an increase year-over-year.
Applications and Compliance
ATF processed 10,624 original license applications in 2023, down from 23,242 in 2013. Withdrawals and denials remained relatively stable. Compliance inspection data has been removed from this year’s report but is still available on the ATF’s website.
Conclusion: A Changing Landscape
The 2024 ATF report reflects a firearms industry still adjusting after an explosive boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. While domestic production is down, import and export activity remains robust, and interest in NFA items continues to grow. As regulatory and market dynamics evolve, this data remains a critical lens into America’s unique relationship with firearms.
