NSSF: Firearms Industry Booming Since 2008

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released its 2016 industry economic impact report, and the numbers are staggering: The total economic impact of the firearms and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $49.3 billion in 2015, a 158 percent increase. Meanwhile, the total number of full-time jobs in the industry rose from approximately 166,000 to almost 288,000, a 73 percent spike.

The full report, titled "The Firearms and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report: 2016," can be accessed here.

More recently, the industry's economic impact rose from $43 billion in 2014 to $49.3 billion in 2015, a nearly 15 percent increase.

"Our industry is proud to be one of the truly bright spots in our economy as an unprecedented number of Americans have chosen to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms and to safely enjoy the shooting sports," said Stephen L. Sanetti, NSSF president and chief executive officer. "In response to that dynamic, we have increased our direct workforce by about 21,000 in the last two years alone, adding jobs that pay an average of more than $50,000 in wages and benefits. In addition, since 2008 we increased federal tax payments by 144 percent, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes that support wildlife conservation by 92 percent and state business taxes by 96 percent."

For more information, go to NSSF.org.