ATF Data Shows The Number of Guns in Americans’ Hands Now Tops Half a Billion

NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, released the Firearm Production in the United States including the Firearm Import and Export Data 2025 Edition (reporting 2023 data) to its members. The report compiles the most up-to-date information based on data sourced from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF’s) Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reports (AFMER).

The report is available free to members by logging into the NSSF Member Portal here.

Key findings for public release showed:

• The estimated total number of firearms in civilian possession from 1990–2023 is 506.1 million, according to data in reports such as ATF Firearms Commerce in the United States, ATF AFMER and Congressional Research Service and including the collective ATF AFMER reports up to the 2023 edition.
• Total domestic firearm production reported in the 2023 AFMER was 8,466,729 – a decrease of 15.4 percent from 2022 reported figures.
• Data indicates that 32,091,000 Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) are in circulation since 1990.
• Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) production decreased 46.2 percent from 2022 to 2023. This increased the estimated amount of MSRs produced (since 1990) by 4.5 percent from 30.7 million to 32 million.
• In 2023, 13,574,653 total firearms were made available for the U.S. market, which includes firearms that were domestically produced plus those imported, minus exported firearms. Of those, 8,176,535 were handguns, 3,899,907 were rifles and 1,498,211 were shotguns.
• From 1990 to 2023, 284.4 million firearms have been made available to the U.S. market.

“This report reflects what we witnessed in 2023, as background checks drifted down from the astronomically high peaks that started in 2020. American firearm manufacturers adjusted their production schedules and continued to deliver the highest quality firearms for law-abiding Americans,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi.

“This is indicative of the resilience of the U.S. firearm manufacturing sector and the U.S. firearm sales markets and the continuing demand signal for Americans who choose to exercise their Second Amendment rights. The data continues to show that the Modern Sporting Rifle is the most popular centerfire rifle sold in America today with over 32 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.”