A new study says Idaho is the state that depends the most on the firearms industry both for jobs and as a way to buy firearms, while Delaware is the least dependent state.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation says the industry contributed nearly $43 billion to the economy in 2014. But gun rights has become a major policy issue for the government in the wake of several mass shootings over the last few years, and has come up in the race for the White House this year.
A recent analysis by Mother Jones estimated the cost of fatal and nonfatal gun violence in 2012 was $229 billion.
WalletHub assessed the arms and ammunitions industry in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia to determine which states depend the most on the gun industry for jobs, political contributions and firearm ownership.
The five states that most dependent on the gun industry are Idaho, Alaska, Montana, South Dakota and Arkansas. After Delaware, the least dependent states are Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York and Maryland.
Other key findings:
- The number of firearms-industry jobs per capita is highest in New Hampshire, and ratio in the District of Columbia is the lowest.
- The average wages and benefits in the firearms industry is highest in the District of Columbia, and is lowest in New Mexico.
- The total firearms industry output per capita is highest in New Hampshire, and is lowest in Hawaii.
- Gun ownership is highest in Alaska, and is lowest in Delaware.
See the full results at WalletHub here.
