According to results of a recent online survey of firearm retailers conducted by the NSSF, an estimated 5.4 million people purchased their first gun in 2021 – 30% of the 18.5 million Americans who bought a gun last year. While down from the 8.5 million first-time gun buyers in 2020, nearly 14 million people have joined the growing shooting sports community in the last two years.

Among the first-time buyers, retailers indicated women made up 33% with roughly 50% of all first-timers aged 40-years-old or younger. Retailers also reported over 22% of such buyers became return customers in 2021, contributing to the year’s 38.8 million NICS background checks and second-highest annual total ever behind 2020.

Dating back to November 2019, FBI NICS background checks have surpassed 2.5 million for 27 consecutive months – a figure that has occurred only nine times outside the current streak. Further, NSSF-provided NICS-adjusted totals have topped 1 million for 30 months straight as new and existing gun owners continue to buy firearms at historic pace.

For FFLs across the industry, the exponential growth has been a double-edged sword. While business is booming for manufacturers and retailers, keeping up with growing demand has remained a challenge while supply chains struggle amid shipping delays and material and worker shortages. However, after producing over 10 million guns in 2020 – a total expected to be matched in 2021 – firearm and ammunition inventories have improved enough in recent months for distributors and retailers to satisfy eager consumers.

To serve the growing shooting sports community, FFLs must operate efficiently – beginning with technology. Contact us today to learn how our retail and manufacturing solutions, including Orchid POS™, Orchid eBound™, and Orchid ERP integrations, can help your firearms business save time, maximize profits and lower compliance risk.

FFLs are also encouraged to attend the 2022 Firearms Industry Conference (FIC) this April where industry leadership, federal agency executives and technology specialists will address the state of the firearms industry and lead virtual and in-person learning sessions on FFL technology, compliance, finance and law. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Project ChildSafe.