Given that the United States has the highest gun ownership rate, it comes as no surprise that guns and ammunition are a multi-billion dollar industry in America, totaling over 80 billion dollars in 2022. According to government data, gunmakers produced over 13.3 million firearms domestically in the same year. In addition to guns manufactured within the country, millions more are imported yearly into the United States from abroad, with gun manufacturers importing more in recent years than previously. (Here is a look at the 10 countries Americans buy the most shotguns from.)
The U.S. weapons market is a lucrative business and while there is a market for foreign-made rifles and shotguns in the United States, in 2022 handguns account for the majority of imported firearms. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. imported 6.4 million firearms in 2020, of which over 4 million of them were handguns. That amount is up 34 percent in 2021, where, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission more than 9.1 million guns were imported.
Gun manufacturing is a specialized industry that exists in a limited number of countries. The number of countries that can do it well enough (or cheap enough) to break into the American market is even fewer. 24/7 Wall St. identified the countries Americans are buying the most handguns from by using data from the ATF’s National Firearms Commerce and Tracking Assessment report. The countries on this list are ranked by the number of handguns they exported to the U.S. from 2010 to 2020. These 10 countries account for 97% of all foreign-made handguns sold to the U.S. in that period.Â
The countries on this list span three continents: Europe, South America, and Asia. Some are home to large and reputable gun manufacturers. Others, meanwhile, are home to lesser-known companies that American brands have outsourced manufacturing to. (Here is a look at the 25 most powerful handguns.)
Here is where the best-selling handguns in America are madeÂ
10. Belgium
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- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 203,401 (0.7% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Belgium: FN Herstal
9. Argentina
Source: narvikk / iStock via Getty Images
- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 595,150 (2.0% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Argentina: Bersa
8. Philippines
Source: fazon1 / iStock via Getty Images
- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 985,843 (3.2% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Philippines: Shooters Arms Manufacturing, Armscor
7. Turkey
Source: Thankful Photography / iStock via Getty Images
- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 1,093,740 (3.6% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Turkey: Canik, Girsan, SAR, Tisas
6. Czech Republic
Source: DaLiu / iStock via Getty Images
- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 1,110,705 (3.7% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Czech Republic: CZ
5. Italy
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- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 1,807,645 (5.9% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Italy: Beretta
4. Germany
Source: bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images
- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 3,635,572 (12.0% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Germany: Heckler & Koch, SIG Sauer, Walther
3. Croatia
Source: xbrchx / iStock via Getty Images
- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 3,973,984 (13.1% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Croatia: HS Produkt (Springfield Armory Hellcat)
2. Brazil
Source: Ranimiro Lotufo Neto / iStock via Getty Images
- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 6,051,110 (19.9% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Brazil: Taurus
1. Austria
Source: RossHelen / iStock via Getty Images
- Handguns exported to U.S., 2010-2020: 9,953,808 (32.7% of all imported handguns)
- Popular handgun brand(s) made in Austria: Glock
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