New industry analysis estimates more than 30 million firearms were added to civilian hands in just two years.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Americans owned more than half a billion firearms by the end of 2023, according to newly released estimates from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which tracks firearm production and ownership trends nationwide.
The trade group reported Thursday that firearms “in civilian possession” reached approximately 506.1 million between 1990 and 2023, marking the first time estimates have exceeded the 500 million threshold. The findings were compiled using data drawn from federal and congressional sources, including reports from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Congressional Research Service, as outlined in the foundation’s latest analysis.
According to the report, the estimate reflects cumulative firearm production figures documented through the ATF’s Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report, combined with other federal tracking data through the 2023 reporting cycle.
The updated total represents a significant increase from prior estimates. A previous analysis by the foundation found that approximately 473.2 million firearms were in civilian possession by the end of 2021.
The newly released figures indicate that the number of firearms owned by Americans grew by more than 30 million over the two-year period from the close of 2021 through the end of 2023.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation did not break down the figures by firearm type or ownership demographics but noted that the estimates reflect legally manufactured firearms remaining in civilian circulation.
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