Hitting the Bullseye
Arkansas keeps the firearms and ammunition industry in its sights. From manufacturers to businesses involved in sales and distribution, the Arkansas firearms and ammunition industry is diverse. Companies that call Arkansas home include SIG SAUER, Remington, Daisy, Walther, Nighthawk Custom, Thermold Magazines, Umarex, and Wilson Combat. As a pro-second amendment state, Arkansas welcomes firearms and ammunition companies looking to start-up, expand, or relocate.
The Industry at a Glance
- #4 Economic output per capita in the arms and ammunition industry (Source: National Shooting Sports Foundation)
- 2nd Most Gun-Friendly State (Source: Forbes)
- 7th Greatest Place to Hunt Waterfowl (Source: Ducks Unlimited)
- 27 registered firearms in the state for every 1,000 residents
- 35 pro-gun bills passed into law during the last three legislative sessions
- 3,118 people employed in the arms and ammunitions industry
INFRASTRUCTURE
- Three U.S. interstates connecting east and west coasts, and the Canada and Mexico borders
- 16,418 miles of state and U.S. Highways – 12th largest system in the U.S.
- Eight intermodal freight facilities with four riverports
- 2,505 miles of rail and three Class 1 rail systems
- #3 in the nation with 1,000 miles of inland, navigable waterways
- More than 90 public airports including Clinton National, Northwest Arkansas National, and close proximity to Memphis International and the Fed-Ex hub
Well-trained workforce
- 7th highest percentage of manufacturing employment (Source: BLS - Annual 2019 Data)
- 1.36M skilled and trained workforce
- 12.7% of Arkansas’ workforce is employed in manufacturing
- Arkansas employs approximately 3,118 in the arms and ammo industry with an annual payroll of $310M.
Business Climate in Arkansas
- 8th Most Small Business Friendly State (Source: Thumbtack, 2021)
- 4th lowest cost of doing business (Source: CNBC, Cost of Doing Business State Rankings, 2021)
- 3rd on the Cost of Living Index (Sources: Third Qtr 2019, C2ER; U.S. News and World Report, Best States Rankings Report, 2019)
- 10th in manufacturing employment (Source: Business Facilities Magazine, 2021, 17th Annual State Ranking Report)
EDUCATION
- 45 colleges, universities & 2-year colleges throughout Arkansas
- 2,100+ engineering degrees awarded each year
- 160k+ students enrolled at an Arkansas institution of higher learning
Firearms & Ammunition Industry
Executive Overview
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