After five consecutive years of decline, American gun sales, in some corners of the market, appear to be climbing once again.
If you’re a homeowner or business owner who is considering the best security approach, understanding 2026 U.S. gun sale statistics offers useful context on how Americans are now looking at personal safety.
Sales Are Stabilizing After a Five-Year Slide
In 2025, approximately 15.5 million firearms were sold in the country, which was around 4% less than in 2024, where the figure eclipsed 16 million. Last year was the fifth in a row that saw declining sales.
However, a different story was told in 2026; an estimated 7.7 million guns were sold in the first six months nationwide, which was a 3% increase in comparison to the same 2025 period. This year showed the first meaningful rise at any stage of the year since 2020. It remains to be seen whether there will be more guns sold in the U.S. in 2026 than 2025, but that could be the case.
It’s backed up by monthly federal background checks that were carried out. Monthly federal background check data backs this up; NSSF-adjusted NICS figures for May 2026 showed there were around 1.1 million firearms sold, increasing 3.2% year-over-year, and June’s numbers went up even more with an 11.7% increase over the year that came before.
Suppressors Saw a Particularly High Jump
Items regulated under the National Firearms Act, like suppressors, saw a sharper shift in 2026, and NFA transfers nearly tripled in June 2026 compared with the previous year.
A big contributing factor behind this was the federal government eliminating the decades-old $200 tax stamp on suppressors and short-barreled firearms.
Where Sales Are Rising Quickly
When you look at Rhode Island, it saw the sharpest year-over-year jump in the nation at 26% between 2024 and 2025, a shift that is tied to the state’s newly signed assault weapons ban ahead of its 2026 effective date.
Population-adjusted sales remain highest in Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming; the reason being that these states have famous hunting traditions and comparatively permissive gun laws.
The Sales are Rising, but Gun Violence is Trending Down
The most notable trend in 2026 could be that rising gun sales haven’t correlated with heightened violence. In fact, shooting deaths and injuries have remained at historic lows nationally through the first half of this year. This is a figure that continues a multi-year downward trend, despite there being a slight increase in mass shootings compared to 2025.
What This Means for Security-Minded Homeowners
Firearms might not be in your safety plans, but the trends we’ve discussed reflect a broader national conversation about protection, risk, and preparedness. For most households, a layered approach to security includes reliable locks, monitored alarm systems, video surveillance, and smart access control, and is still the most effective way to deter intrusions and protect your home.
If you’re evaluating your home or business security setup in Charleston, our team can help you build a plan tailored to your property, budget, and peace of mind.
