The United States has nearly 80,000 active Federal Firearms License holders—but they're not evenly distributed. Our analysis of ATF data reveals fascinating patterns in where gun stores are located and what types of businesses dominate the industry.
How Many FFLs Are in America?
As of early 2026, there are approximately 79,990 active FFL dealers across the United States and its territories. These licensed businesses operate in over 14,000 cities across all 50 states.
To put that in perspective, there are more FFL dealers in America than there are McDonald's restaurants (approximately 14,000) and Starbucks locations (approximately 16,000) combined.
FFL Density: Where Gun Stores Are Concentrated
Our heatmap visualization shows clear patterns in where FFL dealers concentrate across the country:
Several patterns emerge:
- Population centers dominate—major metro areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix, and the Eastern Seaboard show intense concentrations
- Texas stands out with multiple high-density hotspots across the state
- Rural areas aren't empty—even sparsely populated regions have FFL coverage, though at lower density
- The Mountain West shows gaps—Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming have notably sparse FFL presence outside metro areas
States with the Most FFL Dealers
The top states for total FFL count largely follow population, but with some interesting variations:
| Rank | State | Active FFLs | % of National Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 8,508 | 10.6% |
| 2 | Florida | 4,650 | 5.8% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 3,335 | 4.2% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 3,142 | 3.9% |
| 5 | Ohio | 2,904 | 3.6% |
Together, the top 5 states account for about 28% of all FFL dealers in America.
FFLs Per Capita: A Different Picture
When adjusted for population, the rankings shift dramatically. States with strong hunting traditions and rural populations tend to have more FFLs per capita:
- Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska lead in FFLs per capita
- Texas has the most total FFLs but ranks middle-of-pack per capita
- New Jersey and Hawaii have the fewest FFLs per capita
FFL License Types: What the Numbers Show
Not all FFLs are retail gun stores. The ATF issues different license types for different business activities:
| License Type | Description | % of All FFLs |
|---|---|---|
| Type 01 | Dealer in Firearms (retail gun stores) | ~59% |
| Type 07 | Manufacturer of Firearms | ~27% |
| Type 02 | Pawnbroker in Firearms | ~8% |
| Type 03 | Collector of Curios & Relics | ~2% |
| Other | Importers, Destructive Devices, etc. | ~4% |
The Rise of Type 07 Manufacturers
One notable trend: Type 07 (Manufacturer) licenses make up over a quarter of all FFLs. Many of these are small gunsmiths or home-based businesses that do custom work, rather than large-scale manufacturing operations.
A Type 07 license allows the holder to manufacture firearms and ammunition, but also permits all Type 01 dealer activities. This makes it attractive for gunsmiths who want to do both retail sales and custom work.
Top Cities for Gun Stores
At the city level, major metro areas dominate the rankings:
| City | State | Active FFLs |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | TX | 423 |
| Phoenix | AZ | 296 |
| San Antonio | TX | 268 |
| Tucson | AZ | 238 |
| Mesa | AZ | 205 |
Arizona cities are surprisingly well-represented, with Phoenix, Tucson, and Mesa all in the top 5. This reflects the state's gun-friendly laws and growing population.
What Drives FFL Density?
Several factors influence how many FFLs operate in a given area:
Population
More people means more potential customers. Metro areas naturally have more gun stores.
State Regulations
States with additional licensing requirements, fees, or restrictions tend to have fewer FFLs per capita. California has strict requirements but still ranks #2 overall due to its massive population.
Gun Culture and Hunting Traditions
States with strong hunting traditions (Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin) tend to have more FFLs per capita than states without them.
Business Environment
The ease of obtaining business licenses, zoning approvals, and insurance affects where FFLs choose to operate. Some localities make it difficult to open gun stores.
Military and Law Enforcement Presence
Areas near military bases or with large law enforcement populations often support more gun stores catering to those communities.
Interesting Facts from the Data
- Average per state: Roughly 1,500 FFLs per state, though actual numbers range from under 200 (DC, territories) to over 8,500 (Texas)
- Small towns matter: While cities have the most FFLs, thousands of small towns across America have at least one licensed dealer
- Home-based FFLs: A significant portion of Type 01 dealers operate from home, often offering lower transfer fees than storefront locations
- Pawnbrokers: Type 02 licenses (pawnbrokers) are most common in the South and Midwest
Finding an FFL Near You
Whether you're in a dense urban area or rural community, there's likely an FFL within driving distance. Use our directory to find licensed dealers in your area:
About This Data
Statistics on this page are derived from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms License database. Data reflects currently active license holders and is updated periodically. Some numbers are approximate due to ongoing license issuances and expirations.
View our full statistics dashboard for interactive breakdowns by state, city, and license type.