The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reported that firearm and ammunition manufacturers topped $17 billion in excise tax contributions to the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund since its inception in 1937. When adjusted for inflation, the total is more than $27.38 billion.
The latest Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET) Collection report released by The Department of the Treasury, covering the fourth quarter calendar year 2023, indicated that firearm and ammunition manufacturers contributed more than $222 million. The amount was lower than the $235 millioncontributed in the 2022 fourth quarter due to lower sales of firearms and ammunition.
“The entire firearm and ammunition industry celebrates this milestone demonstrating our commitment to wildlife conservation for all Americans,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi in a release. “The firearm and ammunition industry knows the conservation of wildlife and the habitats in which they thrive are invaluable. They are critical to future generations taking part in hunting, recreational shooting sports traditions and learning about their vital importance. This manufacturing industry, which produces firearms and ammunition for law-abiding citizens, also produces the funding upon which our wildlife depends and is vital for future generations to enjoy.”
The firearm and ammunition industry added $1 billion in conservation tax contributions in 2023. The Firearm Industry Trade Association announced that the contributions of the Firearm and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET) totaled over $1 billion annually for the past three years.
The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Fund, is funded by excise taxes paid by firearms and ammunition manufacturers on their products, including archery equipment manufacturers.
The excise tax is 11 percent of the wholesale price for long guns and ammunition and 10 percent of the wholesale price for handguns. The excise tax, paid by manufacturers and importers, applies to all firearms produced or imported for commercial sales, including recreational shooting, hunting or self-defense.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the Department of the Treasury administers the excise tax, which it turns over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). USFWS deposits the Pittman-Robertson revenues into a special account called the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund administered by the USFWS.
Based on a statutory formula, the funds are made available to states and territories the year following their collection. Earlier this year, the NSSF announced that the USFWS apportioned over $1.6 billion to the states for wildlife conservation projects, of which $944 million came from the Pittman-Robertson excise taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers.
“These 10 percent to 11 percent excise tax dollars collected since 1937 under the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act are specifically designated to be used by state wildlife agencies for conservation and related purposes,” NSSF said in a release. “Collectively, purchasers of firearms and ammunition, hunters, and the industry are the greatest source of wildlife conservation funding.”
