Firearms and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report 2017
This NSSF report details the significant economic impact the firearms and ammunition industry has on the nation’s and each state’s economy.
The economic growth America’s firearms and ammunition industry has experienced over the years has been nothing short of remarkable. Over the past couple of years, the industry’s growth has been driven by an unprecedented number of Americans choosing to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms and purchase a firearm and ammunition.
NSSF, representing manufacturers and sportsmen around the nation, takes great pride in supporting wildlife conservation efforts. Noted in the economic impact report are the significant taxes paid by member companies to federal and state governments and the Pittman-Robertson excise tax the industry pays on the products it sells — this tax is the major source of wildlife conservation funding in America.
During difficult economic times and high unemployment rates nationally, our industry has grown and created about 30,000 new, well-paying jobs over the past three years. Our industry is proud to be one of the bright spots in this economy.
Take a look for yourself and see the impact we have nationally and on your home state.
The Firearms Industry Creates Jobs in America
United States companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell sporting firearms, ammunition and suppliers are an important part of the country’s economy. Manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and supplies, along with companies that sell and distribute these products, provide well paying jobs in America and pay significant amounts in tax to the state and Federal governments.
Economic Impact of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Industry in the United States
Direct Supplier Induced Total
Jobs (FTE) 141,500 66,614 93,009 301,123
Wages $5,847,837,400 $4,522,015,700 $4,813,571,600 $15,183,424,700
Economic Impact $20,223,132,100 $15,525,775,600 $15,502,536,200 $51,251,443,900
The Firearms & Ammunition Industry is an Important Part of America’s Economy
Companies in the United States that manufacture, distribute and sell firearms, ammunition and hunting equipment employ as many as 141,500 people in the country and generate an additional 159,623 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries. These include jobs in companies supplying goods and services to manufacturers, distributors and retailers, as well as those that depend on sales to workers in the firearms and ammunition industry.
These are good jobs, paying an average of $50,423 in wages and benefits. And today every job is important. In fact, workers in the United States face an unemployment rate of about 5 percent. This means that there are already nearly 8 million people trying to find jobs in the nation and collecting unemployment benefits.
The Economic Benefit of the Industry Spreads Throughout the Country
Not only does the manufacture and sale of firearms, ammunition, shooting and hunting supplies create good jobs in the United States but the industry also contributes to the economy as a whole. In fact, in 2016 the firearms and ammunition industry was responsible for as much as $51.3 billion in total economic activity in the country.
The broader economic impact flows throughout the economy, generating business for firms seemingly unrelated to firearms. Real people, with real jobs, working in industries as varied as banking, retail, accounting, metal working, even in printing, all depend on the firearms and ammunition industry for their livelihood.
The Country Also Benefits From the Taxes Paid By The Industry
The firearms and ammunition industry generates sizable tax revenues. In the United States the industry and its employees pay over $6.5 billion in federal and state taxes including property, income and sales-based levies.
Taxes Generated in the United States
Tax Impact Business Taxes Excise Taxes
Federal Taxes $3,843,285,200 $838,059,600
State Taxes $2,695,451,100
Total Taxes $6,538,736,300 $838,059,600