Firearm Safe Sales Up in 2019

by
posted on July 16, 2020
** 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. **
firearm-safe-sales-up-2019-liberty-f.jpg

Southwick Associates released a report this week that details the size and trends experienced in the shooting and hunting industry during 2019. Although the figures reflect the period prior to the ongoing string of record-setting gun sales months that began this year, the findings indicate safety is foremost among gun owners and provide additional information not reflected by the FBI’s monthly NICS background check volume.

Firearm storage, for example, experienced the largest growth in sales during 2019. At a time when gun sales were still gripped by a lethargic “new norm,” the figures reflect a willingness by enthusiasts to invest in measures to secure their collections and prevent unauthorized access.

The demand for pistol cartridges began long before gun sales started to break previous records—indicating increased focus on home- and self-defense.

“Firearms and ammunition stabilized in mid-2019 then started showing slight gains in units sold for the remainder of the year, with handgun ammunition showing double-digit increases in both unit and dollar sales,” said Nancy Bacon, vice president at Southwick Associates. “For the product categories tracked, total units were flat while the average price paid pointed to significant discounting in nearly all categories.”

Despite all the rebates and deep discounts that made headlines in 2019, the report found that firearms and ammunition experienced less discounting than related products in other categories. Handguns, shotguns, and traditional rifles all saw an increase in units sold over the prior year.

The report wasn’t all glowing news, though. Those categories that experienced a decline in sales were optics, black powder, firearm parts and shooting equipment. The overall value of the market in 2019 dropped to $19.5 billion. Last year’s estimate for total firearm sales, however, came in at 13.9 million nationwide. As of June, 2020’s figure now stands at more than 10 million—and the busy holiday and hunting shopping seasons are still months away.  

Latest

Stuart 45 Pistol Pre War Manuevers Web Main
Stuart 45 Pistol Pre War Manuevers Web Main

Guns Of The U.S. Tankers In World War II

Since the end of World War II, debates have raged about the effectiveness of American armored fighting vehicles in that conflict. Despite all the Monday morning armored quarterbacking, American AFVs were war-winners, driven to victory by some the finest fighting men our nation has ever produced.

MidwayUSA Foundation Awards Over $14 Million In Cash Grants In 2025

In honor of National Shooting Sports Month—held annually in August—along with the growing popularity of the sport with new participants, MidwayUSA Foundation announced it has distributed more than $14.2 million in cash grants to support youth shooting sports in 2025.

Making The KelTec PR57 In Wyoming

To make its PR57 handgun, KelTec invested in an entirely new manufacturing facility located in Rock Springs, Wyo. "American Rifleman Television" headed out for an inside look at the company's efficient production process.

Taurus 66 Combat: A New "Fighting Revolver"

First introduced in the 1970s, the Taurus 66 Combat is a medium-frame revolver that has seen several evolutions in its lifetime, and the latest update creates what the company considers "the final word in fighting revolvers."

Review: Taurus GX2

From cars to cellphones, as a product gets more sophisticated, it usually also gets more expensive. And, as modern handguns get more modular and optic-ready, their prices tend to go up.

Rifleman Q&A: A Garand Puzzlement

"We are a father-and-son NRA member tandem in search of an answer regarding the branding of an M1 Garand rifle. We own an M1 rifle that has markings indicating it was a “lend lease to England,” and it also has a .308 barrel/sleeve."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.