ATF Report Shows Massive Increase in Gun Industry Since 2000

Firearms commerce has substantially increased over the past two decades as the number of licensed firearms manufacturers and firearms sold to the general public have soared.

That is according to a lengthy report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) released on Tuesday. The report, which covers the period from 2000 through 2020, revealed that domestically manufactured firearms have increased by 187 percent, firearms exported from U.S. manufacturers by 240 percent, and firearms imported into the U.S. from foreign manufacturers by 350 percent.

The ATF reported that approximately 3.9 million new firearms were manufactured in 2000, a number that climbed to 11.3 million in 2020. That equated to roughly 1,397 new guns per 100,000 persons in 2000 but jumped to around 3,410 per 100,000 in 2020.

The growth in the industry is the latest indication of how interest in gun ownership has grown in recent years. Along with increased background checks, the report shows more Americans are buying more guns than in recent history. The growth will likely affect gun politics over the long run since gun owners tend to oppose gun restrictions more than those who don’t own firearms.