PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1810127
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1810127
Firearms are mechanical weapons designed to discharge projectiles by harnessing energy generated from the combustion of a propellant. These devices rely on precise engineering to convert chemical energy into kinetic energy, allowing a projectile to be propelled at high velocity. Firearms serve primarily as ranged weapons and are used by military personnel, law enforcement agencies, and civilians for defense, hunting, and sport shooting purposes.
The primary categories of firearms include handguns, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, submachine guns, and others. Handguns are compact, portable firearms intended for one-handed use. Firearms are available with various firing mechanisms, such as manual, semi-automatic, automatic, break-action, and others, and come in multiple caliber options including small, medium, large calibers, and shotgun gauges. These weapons are distributed through both direct and indirect sales channels and serve a range of end uses, including military operations, law enforcement, sporting activities, hunting, personal defense, and other applications.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.
The firearms market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides firearms market statistics, including firearms industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a firearms market share, detailed firearms market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the firearms industry. This firearms market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The firearms market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $46.75 billion in 2024 to $50.95 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to ongoing military conflicts, the expansion of licensed gun ownership for self-defense, the growth of paramilitary and homeland security forces, increased demand from global peacekeeping missions requiring arms supply, and a rising focus on personal security.
The firearms market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $71.23 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. The growth projected for the forecast period can be attributed to escalating geopolitical tensions, increasing military modernization initiatives, enhanced border security measures, rising threats from internal insurgencies and terrorism, and efforts to control cross-border illegal trafficking. Key trends expected during this period include the development of smart guns with biometric authentication, the integration of 3D printing and modular weapon systems, advancements in precision and accuracy technologies, the adoption of lightweight materials, and innovations in silencers, optics, and firearm accessories.
The growing geopolitical tensions are expected to drive the expansion of the firearms market in the coming years. Geopolitical tensions refer to conflicts, rivalries, or disputes among nations or regions arising from political, economic, territorial, or strategic factors. These tensions are escalating due to territorial disputes, which jeopardize national sovereignty and the control of critical regions. Firearms play a crucial role in addressing these tensions by bolstering national defense capabilities and ensuring preparedness during periods of conflict or instability. They provide military and security forces with dependable tools for protection and deterrence, supporting broader regional and global security strategies. For example, in October 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a U.S.-based federal agency, reported that migrant encounters at the US-Canada border exceeded 181,000 in 2024, reflecting a 6.5% increase from 170,000 in 2023. Consequently, the rise in geopolitical tensions is fueling the growth of the firearms market.
Key companies in the firearms market are focusing on creating advanced products, such as guns integrated with 3D facial recognition systems, to enhance security through rapid, contactless user authentication. These firearms incorporate sophisticated biometric technology to construct a three-dimensional facial map of the user, ensuring that only authorized individuals can operate the weapon. For instance, in April 2023, Biofire Technologies Inc., a U.S.-based defense technology company, introduced the Smart Gun. This firearm uses both fingerprint and 3D facial recognition to verify the user's identity before enabling operation. The biometric system is designed to work under varied conditions and activates automatically upon handling, eliminating the need for manual input like passcodes or buttons. The gun remains operational even when the user is wearing gloves or has part of their face obscured.
In January 2023, NIOA Group, an Australia-based munitions company, acquired Barrett Firearms Manufacturing for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to enhance NIOA's footprint in the U.S. defense market while preserving Barrett's current operations and leadership structure. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing is a U.S.-based company known for producing high-powered, long-range firearms.
Major players in the firearms market are SIG Sauer Inc., Smith & Wesson Brands Inc., Glock Inc., Colt's Manufacturing LLC, FN America LLC, Beretta Corp., Heckler & Koch, Springfield Armory Inc., Kimber Manufacturing Inc., Wilson Combat Inc., Christensen Arms, Daniel Defense Inc., Kel-Tec CNC Industries Inc., Savage Arms Inc., Henry Repeating Arms Co., OF Mossberg & Sons Inc., Benelli Corp., Remington Arms LLC, Walther Arms Inc., Rock River Arms Inc., Kahr Arms Co., Mauser Jagdwaffen GmbH, Blaser GmbH, Franchi, Les Baer Custom Inc., LWRC International LLC, Steyr Arms Inc., and Sturm Ruger & Co. Inc.
North America was the largest region in the firearms market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in firearms report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the firearms market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The firearms market consists of sales of suppressors, optics and sights, gun cleaning kits, triggers, muzzle devices, and mounting systems. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values and are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Firearms Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on firearms market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for firearms ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The firearms market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.