Written by Meera Boyapati
Gun violence is a crisis unique to the United States, yet many states continue to prioritize firearm revenue over human lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 46,728 people died from gun violence in the United States in 2023, a staggering figure that included over 300 school shootings. Some of the most tragic incidents occurred in Texas and Tennessee, two states with more lenient gun laws. Despite these statistics, gun supporters argue that the firearm industry is essential to the economy, contributing billions to state revenues. But at what cost? The financial gains from gun sales pale in comparison to the toll on human lives and the overwhelming financial burden gun violence places on state and federal systems. If we truly value safety and stability, there must be a reexamination of the net benefits of guns and a push for smarter, data-driven reforms.
The firearm industry generates over $90 billion annually, with Texas contributing $6.5 billion and Tennessee adding $3.4 billion in 2024 (National Shooting Sports Foundation, 2025). In contrast, New York—a state with stricter gun laws—generated about $2 billion from firearm-related revenue. Looking at these numbers in context, Texas has a population of 31.3 million, and Tennessee has 7.2 million people. Both states generate significantly more revenue from firearms than New York, despite its population of nearly 19.9 million. However, to determine whether this revenue justifies its costs, we must also consider the financial burden associated with gun violence.
Gun violence is more than a loss of life; it is a fiscal disaster. The costs of medical care and law enforcement response, combined with the amount of productivity lost due to firearm-related incidents, deplete state resources. The U.S. spends approximately $557 billion annually on the aftermath of gun-related injuries (GIFFORDS, 2025). Texas faced over $16 billion in gun violence-related medical and law enforcement costs in 2022 alone (Stebbins, 2024a). This far outweighs its $6.5 billion from firearm-generated revenue. Similarly, Tennessee’s $3.4 billion in gun industry revenue is overshadowed by the approximate $7 billion the state spends handling gun-related violence (Stebbins, 2024b). Overall, states with more lax gun laws are paying a higher price for their policies than they are gaining from firearm sales.
Some people might argue that gun violence is solely a crime issue rather than a policy one. However, data consistently shows that states with more lenient gun restrictions have higher rates of firearm-related deaths. In 2022, Texas reported 15.6 gun-related deaths per 100,000 residents, while Tennessee saw an even higher rate of 22.7 deaths. Meanwhile, New York reported 5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). States with strict gun laws are experiencing a crisis that is devastating communities financially and emotionally at a more profound level than states with more lenient laws.
Examining beyond the financial considerations, gun violence is closely linked to mental health challenges. Survivors of shootings and communities affected by gun violence often experience psychological trauma, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety (Smith & Doe, 2024). These effects have long-lasting impacts on their lives. Furthermore, the mental health toll further strains public resources, as states must allocate additional funding for counseling services, crisis intervention, and mental health care.
The United States has examples or precedents to follow, such as Australia’s 1996 gun reforms. These reforms banned semi-automatic and automatic firearms while implementing a buyback program. Over 640,000 firearms were removed from circulation, and the country saw a 59% decline in firearm-related homicides over the next decade (GIFFORDS, 2025). Australia’s approach was gradual and financially strategic, preventing economic shocks while effectively reducing gun violence. The U.S. could implement a similar model through measures that strengthen licensing requirements, enforce stricter background checks, and redirect gun tax revenue toward violence prevention programs on a national level.
Despite overwhelming evidence of the negative impacts and consequences of gun violence, legislative action remains slow. This is primarily due to political gridlock and lobbying efforts. Polling data shows that a majority of Americans, including many gun owners, support reforms like universal background checks and mandatory waiting periods (Pew Research Center, 2024). However, the firearm industry and lobbying groups, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), spend millions influencing policymakers and preventing stricter gun laws. In 2023, the National Rifle Association (NRA) spent around $2.31 million on lobbying in the US (Statista, 2024). This shows that there is a disconnect between the public stance and political action. Ultimately, it creates a cycle where certain economic interests are prioritized over public safety.
Gun advocates claim that restricting access to firearms will hurt the economy. However, states with stricter gun laws continue to thrive financially without suffering the same level of violence. The data speaks for itself: the economic benefits of the gun industry do not justify the immense emotional and financial tolls of gun violence. To create a safer and economically improved future, policymakers must strengthen firearm regulations and prioritize human lives over gun-related revenue.
References
Center for Gun Violence Solutions. (n.d.). Center for Gun Violence Solutions: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved February 7, 2025, from https://publichealth.jhu.edu/gun-violence-solutions
Center for Gun Violence Solutions. (2024, September 12). Continuing trends: Five key takeaways from 2023 CDC provisional gun violence data. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Retrieved from https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/2024/continuing-trends-five-key-takeaways-from-2023-cdc-provisional-gun-violence-data
GIFFORDS. (2025, February 5). Home. Retrieved from https://giffords.org/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, March 1). Stats of the states – firearm mortality. National Center for Health Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/firearm_mortality/firearm.htm
Statista. (2024). Lobbying expenditure of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in the United States from 1998 to 2023 (in million U.S. dollars). Retrieved March 26, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/249398/lobbying-expenditures-of-the-national-rifle-associaction-in-the-united-states/
Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. L. (2024). The mental health consequences of interpersonal gun violence: A systematic review. SSM – Mental Health, 5, 100302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100302
Stebbins, S. (2024, October 11). Texas is a hub of American gun manufacturing. 24/7 Wall St. Retrieved from https://247wallst.com/guns-and-hunting/2024/10/11/texas-is-a-hub-of-american-gun-manufacturing/
Stebbins, S. (2024, October 10). These are the largest gunmakers in Tennessee. 24/7 Wall St. Retrieved from https://247wallst.com/guns-and-hunting/2024/10/10/these-are-the-largest-gunmakers-in-tennessee/
National Shooting Sports Foundation. (2025, January 26). The firearm industry trade association. NSSF. Retrieved from https://www.nssf.org/24/7 Wall St. (2024). 24/7 Wall St. reports on Texas & Tennessee gun industry. Retrieved from https://247wallst.com/