Which U.S. States Have the Most Gun Manufacturers?

What We’re Showing

The number of Type 7 Federal Firearms Licenses (FFLs) in each state in 2022, and the percentage increase in FFLs from 2017 to 2022.

Data comes from the Violence Policy Center and reflects 2022 data. FFLs are the basic federal license required to manufacture and sell guns and ammunition in America.

Key Takeaways

• The majority of gun manufacturers with the Type 07 license operate out of homes, offices, or unrelated businesses, often not reporting their production of firearms to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
• Texas, Florida, and Arizona, the three states with the most gun manufacturers in 2022, all have business-friendly policies including low or no income taxes and fewer regulations, as well as strong gun cultures.
• Out of the top five states with the most manufacturers, four (Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Ohio) have constitutional carry laws. These laws allow individuals to carry a firearm without a permit.