How Many Guns Were Sold in 2024?

An estimated 16,171,072 firearms were sold in the United States in 2024, marking a three percent decrease from the previous year. At this rate, about seven percent of American adults aged 21 and over purchased a firearm in 2024.

Some expected the 2024 presidential election to drive a spike in gun sales, but early data from 2025 tells a different story. In the first four months of the year, just over 5.29 million guns were sold, averaging around 1.32 million per month. If that pace holds, 2025 will end with roughly 15.5 million gun sales, a 3.8 percent drop from 2024 totals. This mirrors the previous year’s rate of decreasing sales.

Since estimated firearm sales peaked in 2020, rates have declined yearly. In 2020, there was a surge in gun purchases due to uncertainty caused by the pandemic, national social and political unrest, and economic instability. The COVID-19 pandemic and widespread unrest across the U.S. intensified concerns about personal safety, freedom, and security. Additionally, the contentious 2020 presidential election and fears of potential changes to gun control laws further fueled the increase in firearm purchases.

How Many Guns Were Sold in 2024?

When looking at total gun sales, large states like Texas, Florida, California, and Pennsylvania continue to lead the pack. Thanks to their population size alone, these states account for a significant share of nationwide firearm purchases.

However, when adjusting for population, a different trend emerges. In 2024, the states with the highest gun sales rates per 100 adults aged 21 and over were Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, New Hampshire, and Oregon. These states have strong hunting traditions fostered by rural lifestyles and less rigid gun control laws. The pro-gun cultures and the need for self-defense in such remote areas, which abound in predators that could harm livestock, may also contribute to higher gun ownership and sales.

That trend continues in 2025. Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, and Colorado have posted the highest per capita gun sales rates through the year's first four months.

States with the highest population-adjusted gun sale rates in 2024

The southern states of Alabama, Tennessee, and West Virginia also had some of the highest gun sales rates in the country. These states have relatively permissive gun ownership laws, which make it easier for residents to obtain firearms. For example, none of these states require permits to purchase firearms, and none have a waiting period.

In 2024, the states with the lowest gun sale rates compared to population size were Hawaii, Washington D.C., New York, New Jersey, and Nebraska. More than likely, the relatively low number of firearms sales in Washington D.C., New York, and New Jersey is due to their strong firearms laws, which include required background checks, red flag laws, and the requirement of handgun purchase permits. The higher population, urbanization, and broad public support for gun regulations in these states also contribute to their lower gun sales.

Interestingly, despite being rural, conservative, and not having a red flag law in place, Nebraska had a relatively low gun sales rate. The midwestern state has earmarked funds for community violence initiatives and requires background checks and handgun purchase permits. These regulations could influence the state’s relatively low gun sale rate.

States With Rising Gun Sales Rates

Between 2023 and 2024, fifteen states had a year-over-year increase in total estimated gun sales. Five states stood out for their particularly sharp upticks: Massachusetts, Iowa, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Arkansas.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts had the most significant year-over-year increase in gun sales, rising 22.5 percent between 2023 and 2024. The spike followed the October 2024 implementation of An Act Modernizing Firearms Laws, which expanded the legal definition of firearms to include covert guns, unfinished frames, bump stocks, assault-style weapons, and more. This may have driven preemptive purchases before the law’s effective date.

Iowa

Iowa gun sales increased 7.7 percent between 2023 and 2024, as lawmakers filed a few legislative changes and proposals. One new law lowered the handgun purchase age from 21 to 18. Another proposal aimed to remove ownership barriers related to alcohol addiction, misdemeanor convictions, and risk assessments advanced through the state house. If both proposals become laws, Iowa could have an even more significant increase in sales in 2025.

South Carolina

South Carolina notched a 6.9 percent increase in gun sales between 2023 and 2024, possibly resulting from the passing of the Constitutional Carry Act in March 2024. The law eliminated previous training requirements and application fees, streamlining the process for buyers and reducing the average firearm purchase timeline. Before the new law, there was a three-day waiting period. Now guns can be sold almost instantaneously, making it significantly easier for residents to obtain and carry a gun legally.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire saw a 6.7 percent increase in gun sales between 2023 and 2024 as the state signed three new gun policies into law. In 2024, for example, Governor Sununu signed a new law that allows many employees to store firearms in their vehicles parked at their workplaces. Other new laws aim to protect the privacy of firearm purchasers and protect law enforcement officers issuing gun permits.

Arkansas

Estimated firearm sales in the Natural State rose 6.4 percent between 2023 and 2024. The state has few restrictions that could hamper sales, and Arkansas enacted several new pro-gun laws in 2023. Act 777, for example, clarified that residents do not need a permit to carry a concealed handgun within the state.

In addition to being a hub for firearms and ammunition manufacturing, attracting major companies like SIG Sauer, Fiocchi USA, and Walther Arms, Arkansas residents enjoy a strong hunting culture. On opening day alone, hundreds of thousands of Arkansans participate in deer hunting. Unfortunately, the southern state also has one of the highest rates of gun-related deaths in the country.

States With Sharpest Declines in Gun Sale Rates

Between 2023 and 2024, most states experienced declining gun sales, reflecting the national trend. Five states, however, saw especially sharp drops: Washington, Connecticut, Michigan, Maryland, and New Mexico.

Washington

Washington state saw a staggering 45.7 percent decrease in gun sales between 2023 and 2024, more than triple the decline of any other state. This drop correlates with the passing of several major pieces of gun legislation in 2023, including a sweeping assault weapons ban, mandatory firearms safety training, and stricter requirements for licensed firearm dealers.

Connecticut

Gun sales declined 13.5 percent in Connecticut between 2023 and 2024, following the passage of House Bill 6667 in June 2023. The law closed loopholes in the state’s existing assault weapons ban, prohibited previously exempt “other” firearms, and required registration of pre-ban weapons. With immediate enforcement and a higher compliance burden on dealers, the new regulations likely contributed to the sharp drop in sales.

Michigan

Michigan gun sales dropped an estimated 13.3 percent between 2023 and 2024, around the same time as several major firearm reforms. In early 2024, the state expanded universal background checks to cover private sales and implemented strict safe storage laws, with felony penalties for violations involving minors. Additional legislation passed in late 2023 expanded gun-free zones to government buildings, creating confusion and concern around carry laws.

Maryland

Maryland gun sales decreased approximately 12.8 percent between 2023 and 2024. The drop followed new restrictions on where firearms can be carried and a significant increase in permit fees, which raised the overall cost of ownership, according to state fiscal analysis. Additionally, in 2023, a law went into effect that banned the carrying of firearms in most public places by default

New Mexico

New Mexico saw a 12.3 percent decline in gun sales between 2023 and 2024. The state experienced a sharp rise in gun-related deaths between 2009 and 2018, and in 2023, three children were shot and killed within three months. This led Governor Grisham to institute an emergency 30-day ban on open and concealed carrying of firearms in and near Albuquerque. The tragic deaths of young New Mexicans, combined with growing awareness of gun violence and quickly-implemented gun restrictions, may have contributed to declining sales.

Conclusion

After peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, gun sales have declined nationwide for three years. Texas, Florida, and California lead in total sales. At the same time, Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska have the highest per capita purchases due to a strong gun culture and lenient purchase and ownership laws for two years in a row.

In contrast, Washington, Connecticut, and Michigan had the most significant decrease in sales in recent years, influenced by stricter gun control measures and tightening safety restrictions. These trends underscore the complex interactions between legislation, the economy, crime rates, and public sentiment in shaping gun sales.

At SafeHome.org, we’re committed to promoting safety and security in homes and communities. Understanding these trends is crucial as we strive to inform the public about the factors influencing gun ownership. By analyzing and disseminating this information, we aim to contribute to informed decision-making that enhances safety and well-being for all.

Methodology

The data elucidating this examination was procured from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), spanning 2010 until April 2025. To estimate arm deals, we applied a formula derived from the Small Arms Survey by Jurgen Brauer, counting each long firearm and handgun verification as 1.1 purchases and each multiple-gun verification as two acquisitions. Private sale verifications were incorporated, while we omitted permit verifications and other checks. Researchers at the New York Times and Buzzfeed News have also used similar calculations in their past reporting. Data from Hawaii was excluded owing to insufficient information.

By breaking down and scrutinizing this data, we aim to furnish a more precise portrayal of arms deal patterns and their more extensive ramifications for American society. Some analyses we will perform include looking at annual trends, variations between states, differences between long guns and handguns, and correlations with other socioeconomic factors. We hope that a deeper evaluation of this information can help policymakers and the public better understand this complex issue.

Data Appendix