Fear and Loading: Top 10 FFL and NFA States

by
posted on September 11, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gun-manufacturers-1.jpg

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) recently released its “Firearms Commerce in the United States, Annual Statistical Update 2019.” The abbreviated report doesn’t include total information or manufacturer-specific numbers for 2018, but it does provide somewhat timely information on Federal Firearms Licenses (FFLs) and National Firearms Act (NFA) tax stamp numbers. FFLs nationwide declined from 136,081 (2017) to 134,191 (2018). The total number of NFA items registered, as of May 2019, was 6,058,390.

Here’s a look at the states with the top-10 numbers of FFLs and NFA-registered items from the report.

Top 10 States in FFL numbers (2018)
4,032—Michigan
4,109—Massachusetts
4,588—Missouri
4,589—North Carolina
4,646—Ohio
5,326—Illinois
6,250—Pennsylvania
7,170—Florida
7,925—California
10,733—Texas

Top 10 States with NFA-Registered Items (May 2019)
175,819—Ohio
175,819—New York
181,209—North Carolina
204,817—Arizona
225,993—Georgia
271,427—Pennsylvania
356,963—Virginia
376,666—California
432,581—Florida
725,368—Texas

On a more serious note, the BATFE figures indicate the volume of firearms manufactured in the United States during 2017 dropped by more than three million when compared to 2016. The numbers were 8,327,792 versus 11,497,441. Pistols made in 2017 totaled 3,691,010; rifles came in at 2,504,092; shotguns 653,139 and revolvers 720,917.

 

 

 

Latest

World War I-era Berthier M16 carbine
World War I-era Berthier M16 carbine

Taking It Home: War Trophies in American History

From our founding to the more recent past, war-trophy firearms have played a significant role in arming American citizens.

Questions & Answers: Patterning with the Poly Choke

I bought a Remington 1100 LW 20-gauge shotgun for my wife to shoot clay targets (informally) and sometimes hunt with me when I go hunting for waterfowl.

Meprolight Offers Free Suppressor With Optic Purchase

Readers have only until July 31, 2026, to purchase a qualifying Meprolight optic and be eligible to receive a rebate for a free Backdraft Hunter suppressor in a caliber of their choosing.

Gun Locker: Wilson Combat eXperior Elite

Wilson Combat continues its fine tradition of making excellent guns even better with its new eXperior Elite design.

The Sako 90 Grizzly: Modernity Meets Tradition

Hunting remains a largely traditional activity, and some of us just like the feel of a nice wood stock. For those purists among us, Sako has introduced its new-for-2026 Grizzly.

The Armed Citizen® July 13, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.