The size of the gun industry

[Zundfolge]

We always hear from the antis about the evil giant gun industry, using its huge wealth and power to force our government into allowing them to continue their highly profitable trade in death and suffering.

However I figure thats a bunch of bovine scat.

I figure the "gun industry" is largely a small cottage industry with a few medium to large players. I've heard it said that the gun industry is "smaller then McDonnald's."

What are the actual figures on the size of the Gun Industry in the US? What about globaly?

I believe many antis are socialists at heart and hate anyone making a lot of money ... I see anti "Big Tobacco" ads that ply on the notion that evil tobacco companies are making billions upon billions of dollars and that their wealth is almost a greater sin then the fact that their product causes harm. I believe many antis take the same attitude toward the gun industry and I'd love to be able to toss out the figures to disprove them.

 

[sm]

July 2003 Shooting Industry

http://www.shootingindustry.com/

http://www.shootingindustry.com/02pages/SpecRep1.html

SPECIAL REPORT TO THE INDUSTRY



2001 Was A Tough Year! U.S. Companies Confront
Harsh Economy And Increased Imports.

By Russ Thurman, Editor

United States firearm production declined in 2001, according to the latest data available from the ATF. In 2001, U.S. companies made less than three million guns, a first in modern history.

In another first, a long-gun company became the country’s top firearm manufacturer. Remington Arms took the top position in 2001 on the strength of a 16 percent increase in rifle production.


Sturm, Ruger, the perennial top U.S. manufacturer, posted a 23-percent decline in production, moving it to the second spot.


While U.S. production dropped in 2001, the number of imports increased. From 1997 to 2001, U.S. firearm production dropped 19 percent. However, foreign imports increased 43 percent. When U.S. exports are deducted from the U.S. inventory, this leaves a less-devastating 4-percent decrease in the number of guns available to the U.S. market from 1997 to 2001.


Imports, of course, help the distribution system and gun dealers, but challenge U.S. manufacturers. In addition, exports by U.S. companies have dropped significantly. From 1997 to 2001, exports decreased 41 percent. In 2001, there was an 89-percent trade deficient in firearms.


The result: U.S. companies face extreme challenges of a harsh economy, loss of sales to imports and a demanding marketplace.


Still, overall U.S. production will increase in 2003, driven by post-9/11 homeland-security contracts and demands of everyday citizens seeking self-protection. Outdoor activities also are making a comeback, which will help drive demand for recreational firearms.


Total 2001 Production


Total firearms production in 2001 dropped 23 percent, exceeding the dramatic 16-percent loss in 1995. In 2001, manufacturers made 2,907,589 firearms, 855,765 fewer than the 3,763,345 in 2000. Production in 2001 fell in all firearm categories. Handgun production was hit the hardest, with a 26-percent drop in production.


Top Manufacturers


The top three firearm manufacturers in 2001, and the number of guns they produced, were:


• Remington Arms: 565,586,
• Sturm, Ruger: 515,031,
• Marlin Firearms: 258,363.


In 2001, Remington produced 289,470 rifles (+16%) and 276,116 shotguns (-22%), an overall decrease of 7 percent from 2000.


Ruger made 263,691 handguns (-24%), 243,600 rifles (-21%) and 7,740 shotguns (-57%). Overall, Ruger’s 2001 production was down 23 percent from 2000.


Marlin manufactured 258,383 rifles in 2001, a 10-percent drop in production over 2000.


The top three handgun manufacturers for 2001, the number of guns made, and the percentage of change from 2000, were:


• Ruger: 263,691 (-24%),
• Smith & Wesson: 155,560 (-30%),
• Bryco Arms: 66,874 (-43%).


The top three rifle producers in 2001 were:


• Remington: 289,470 (+16%),
• Marlin: 258,383 (-10%),
• Ruger: 243,600 (-21%).


The top three shotgun companies in 2001 were:


• Remington: 276,116 (-22%),
• Mossberg: 168,733 (-52%),
• H&R 1871: 140,758 (-13%).


Handgun Production


In 2001, handgun production decreased to 943,213, the first time pistol and revolver production dropped below the one-million mark in modern gun history. The 26-percent decrease from the 1,281,861 handguns made in 2000 is a loss of 338,648 firearms.


Pistol production decreased 35 percent in 2001, with 623,070 guns manufactured. This is again the hardest hit category within the industry.


Every pistol category decreased in 2001. Decreases occurred in .22s (-33%), .25s (-75%), .32s (-5%), .380 (-62%), 9mms (-23%) and .40/.45/.50s (-40%).


Revolver production increased less than 1 percent in 2001, with 320,143 revolvers made, compared to 318,960 in 2000. There were increases in .32s (+213%), .357s (+7%) and .45/.50s (+23%). Decreases occurred in .22s (-3%), .38s (-16%) and .44s (-16%).


Long-Gun Production


Manufacturers made 1,284,554 rifles in 2001, a drop of 19 percent over 2000 when 1,583,042 were produced.


In shotguns, the total 2001 production of 679,813 was 218,629 fewer than the year before. This 24-percent decrease comes on top of a 19-percent drop in 2000.


U.S. Exports And Imports


U.S. companies exported 161,672 guns in 2001. The top three U.S. exporters, and the percentages of change from 2000, were:


• Smith & Wesson: 36,184 (-28%),
• Remington: 32,119 (+43%),
• Sturm, Ruger: 14,914 (-26%).


In 2001, there were 1,411,979 firearms imported into the U.S. The top importers were:

• Italy: 298,703 (+85%),
• Brazil: 241,020 (-3%),
• Austria: 234,566 (-8%)

 

[Cosmoline]

Considering the very thin profit margins and the small size of these companies, I'm amazed that HCI, VPC, et al. have convinced everyone there's such a thing as the "firearms industry." You could find mall chain stores selling clothes that make more $$ than the entire domestic firearms industry.

 

[DougCxx]

- Comparing any company by saying it is "smaller than McDonald's" is silly: no matter what you think of their food, McD's is a HUGE, global corporation. In the US, they use an astonishing 2% of all beef produced--one out of every 50 cows you see gets served under them golden arches.......
~

 

[Langenator]

So, using really rough, in my head math, roughly 4.3 million new firearms came onto the overall US firearm market in the year of that report.

Anyone know how this compares to say, microwave ovens or TV sets?

 

[PrudentGT]

Uh-oh, imports are threatening crappy domestic firearms. Time for the NRA to team up with domestic manufacturers to pass more import restrictions!

 

[MaterDei]

Anyone know how this compares to say, microwave ovens or TV sets?

Yes, I know how they compare. They are either greater than, less than, or about the same.

 

[Hal]

continue their highly profitable trade in death and suffering.

RE: Size - since most of the firearms mfg's diverse into other areas it's impossible to seperate actual firearms sales from their other lines w/out a LOT of homework.

For example:
Smith and Wesson just entered into,,well,,here's part of the press release.
"Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (AMEX: SWB), parent company of the legendary 151-year-old handgun maker, Smith & Wesson Corp., announced today that it has issued the exclusive worldwide right to manufacture, market and distribute automated external defibrillators (AED) featuring the Smith & Wesson name to Pride Business Development Group."

http://www.smithandwesson.com/headline.xml?producer=headline&ACTION=SHOW&headline=100070


That does give you something to throw at the anti's though when they whine about the merchants of death thing.

 

[c_yeager]

Im actually pretty impressed with how many guns are put into circulation into this country every year. Im starting to think that "one gun per person" number is actually a tad low. I dont know about oyu but it gives me the warm fuzzies.