Firearm Imports Increased 60 Percent In 2020

by
posted on March 18, 2021
** 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. **
2020-firearm-imports.jpg

The well-documented firearm sales record of 2020 was partially supplied by a 60-percent increase in the number of firearms imported into the United States last year, according to figures released this week by Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF). The organization’s press release reports the top-10 countries of origin were Turkey, Austria, Brazil, Croatia, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, China and the Philippines, respectively. All combined those nations accounted for 92 percent of the guns originating from other nations during 2020.

The figures, based on raw data from the U.S. International Trade Commission, do not include imported military firearms or muzzleloaders. A total of roughly 6.4 million guns were imported last year, which represents an increase of 2.4 million when compared to 2019, when the figure was 4.0 million.

Turkey led the importing nations in 2020, with 1,478,464 firearms. Austria came in second at 1,284,785 followed by Brazil with 1,016,630. Rounding out the top five were Croatia (521,932) and Italy (360,557).

Munitions imports, which includes cartridges and components, came in at 3.5 billion units, according to SAAF. The top-10 countries of origin were, in descending order, Russia, Mexico, Italy, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Serbia, South Korea, Hungary, Israel and the Philippines.

The leading producers accounted for slightly more than 3 million of them, although a total of 3,455,273,118 units came into the United States from foreign sources, The volume still failed to fill a demand, a fact made obvious by the bare shelves at area FFLs and on line.

“Over the past several decades firearms and ammunition imports have come to play an important role in the U.S. industry’s competitive landscape and firearms brand names such as Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, and Taurus have become well-established in the U.S. market,” SAAF Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer stated in the press release.

Latest

Gotw Traditions G3 Pro Web
Gotw Traditions G3 Pro Web

Gun Of The Week: Traditions Outfitter G3 Pro

Join American Rifleman staff in this video to get a close look at a single-shot rifle design oriented toward today’s modern hunter, particularly those in states where straight-wall cartridges have been legalized for hunting.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 12, 2025

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

Sellmark Ranch Opens, Offers Hunting & Shooting Opportunities To The Public

Sellmark Corporation, the parent company of several notable firearm industry brands, opened its 6,800-acre ranch to the public, which provides dedicated hunts, mile-long shooting ranges and more.

CZ Recalls All-American Trap Combo Shotguns

CZ-USA has identified a manufacturing defect affecting the barrel of certain CZ All-American Trap Combo shotguns.

I Have This Old Gun: Japanese Type 94 Pistol

Among the pantheon of World War II military sidearms, the Japanese Type 94 stands out for a number of undesirable reasons. Aside from its ungainly look, many regard it as one of the most dangerous firearms ever made.

New For 2025: GForce Arms 12Hammer

The latest option in the diverse lineup of GForce Arms shotguns is the 12Hammer, an AR-style platform chambered for 12-ga. shotshells that feeds from detachable box magazines.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.