Blazing: 2014 gun sales at new high, exports best in 19 years

An interim report pegged the number at 8,994,301, dominated by rifles and pistols. The most popular firearms are the 9mm semi-automatic handgun and AR-15 style of semi-automatic rifle.

The report showed a drop from the 2013 record high of 10.8 million firearms manufactured by U.S. companies, but industry insiders cautioned that the numbers typically change between interim and final reports. The final 2014 numbers are due out early next year.

For example, the 2013 final number was nearly 9 percent higher than the interim report, which suggests a final figure of about 9.8 million firearms produced.

Meanwhile exports recorded by ATF have surged to a 19-year high of 419,314.

Still, while production is off the 2013 peak, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the industry trade group, said sales recorded in 2014 are ahead of 2013 based on background checks.

“With the 2014 the second highest figure on record, we can say the total is down from the peak, but in essence there is a new valley floor and it’s higher than the old valley floor,” said NSSF Communications Director Bill Brassard.

NSSF yesterday posted details on the ATF numbers.

The steady high rate of production and sales comes as President Obama and the Democratic presidential candidates are pushing for more gun control, starting with universal background checks and limits on sales. The industry is also stepping up it’s support to fight illegal sales.

The raw 2013 production numbers:

— Pistols – 3,629,188.

— Revolvers – 744,047.

— Rifles – 3,355,383.

— Shotguns – 933,512.

— Misc. firearms – 332,171.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].