NSSF: Sportsmen pump $93.5 billion in U.S. economy

By Daniel Terrill

A skeet shooter slamming some skeeters. (Photo: NSSF)
The gun industry’s trade association released a new report showing sportsmen pump more than $93.5 billion into the U.S. economy in 2016, the biggest year on record for gun sales.
That figure is the result of some 53 million Americans buying their guns, fishing rods, outdoor gear and licenses along with travel expenses to pursue hunting, target shooting and sport fishing activities, according to a statement by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
That $93.5 billion breaks down $72 billion in salaries and wages covering some 1.6 million jobs. It also generated nearly $20 billion in local, state and federal taxes, which, the NSSF adds, contributes to conservation efforts and outdoor education programs. And, when factoring in multiplier effects, economic activity bumps up to $220 billion.
“With plenty of great land and waters to hunt and fish on, and thousands of shooting ranges to visit, people in every state are enjoying these pastimes. Their spending has profound, positive effects on many segments of the American economy,” said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF’s director of research and market development.
Activity by the numbers, the NSSF said hunters and shooters spent nearly 600 million days at the range; 35.8 million people 16

Source: Guns.com