In a recent Freedom of Information Act request by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) data reveals a significant increase in Americans purchasing firearm suppressors.
NSSF highlighted in their report: “American gun owners are surpassing 87 years of registered silencers in just the past three years.”
Here are the statistics:
Currently, the ATF is swiftly processing suppressor applications, some even on the same day. The long wait times that deterred shooters and hunters from purchasing suppressors are now a thing of the past. Consequently, silencer registration numbers are skyrocketing.
The ATF Firearms Commerce in the United States report, which is no longer in publication, indicated the number of registered silencers in each state. In the May 2021 edition, it was reported that there are 2,664,774 silencers in the US, more than double the 1.3 million reported by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2017.
In a recent Freedom of Information Act request (FOIA), NSSF received updated data from ATF, showing an additional 2,193,123 suppressors registered between May 2021 and July 2024. This brings the total number of silencers in possession by law-abiding Americans to a staggering 4.86 million and counting.
The ownership of suppressors by law-abiding Americans has surged in recent years.
This surge in suppressor demand is likely good news for SilencerCo, one of the leading firearm suppressor companies in the US.
However, the overall firearms industry has been facing challenges since the gun bubble burst in 2021, following several years of panic buying by Americans due to increased crime rates linked to failed progressive policies like “defund the police.”
The latest National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS) data indicates the fluctuating pattern of gun purchases. It is important to note that NICS checks are not a direct count of guns sold but rather background checks conducted on buyers.
NICS checks continue to surpass a 20-year trend and are seasonally increasing towards the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the billionaire-funded anti-gun group “Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund” and its “The Smoking Gun” website have expressed concerns about law-abiding Americans purchasing suppressors.
Loading…