Publication

This paper considers economic aspects of the US firearms industry, specifically the civilian, private security, and law enforcement markets for pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. The paper primarily examines supply-side issues, including: (1) the number of firearms producers selling weapons to end users; (2) the number of firearms produced and disposed of in trade; (3) freedom of entry into and exit from the industry; (4) industry consolidation in the various firearms market segments; (5) competition by overseas firms; (6) firearms exports and imports that complement US-based production; and (7) the structure of the industry.