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Gun manufacturers in America sell military-style weapons to the public and law enforcement. They market high-capacity guns, assault rifles, and other weapons. Manufacturers also produce ammunition and gun accessories. ATF, the only federal agency with jurisdiction over the gun industry, oversees their activity.

ATF has the authority to prevent gun trafficking and keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people. However, federal gun laws have not been updated since the 1960s, and the agency is not equipped to address advances in technology and manufacturing. These outdated laws create a lack of oversight in the firearms industry.

While gun sales have been brisk in recent years, the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 was a boom for the gun industry. From 2010-2019, an average of 13 million guns were sold legally in the U.S. each year. In 2020 and 2021, annual gun sales sharply increased to 20 million. Manufacturers are located all around the country; Unsurprisingly, large states like Texas and Florida have the most licenses.

For 15 years, the gun industry has been given a special status in the United States, protected from legal responsibility by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). This act protects manufacturers from accountability for negligent sales practices. However, it also gives the industry a "halo" effect that allows members to avoid responsibility for causing harm.

However, the industry has taken steps to push the envelope with its products. Some have even created ghost guns, untraceable weapons that circumvent background checks. According to the police, these untraceable homemade weapons are responsible for the recent spike in the number of gun-related killings.

Another example is the "smart gun." A smart gun is a firearm that authorized users only operate. The product can also be designed so it cannot accidentally be fired, which can help prevent injuries or theft.

Other innovations are in the works. A new AR-15 platform is making firearms simpler to use. Additionally, new models are built to withstand the rigors of police work. Many guns are now being sold in the United States with "binary triggers" that allow the shooter to fire the weapon without a button press.

With more than 110 people being shot and killed in the United States every day, gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the country. In addition, the economic cost of gun violence is estimated at $557 billion annually. Yet, despite these alarming statistics, the gun industry has done almost nothing to prevent a flood of illegal guns into the criminal market.

Gun manufacturers are attempting to attract a younger audience by marketing their weapons to teens. Companies target young adults with references to Call of Duty and Star Wars. Assault weapons, like the semiautomatic Bushmaster rifle used by Payton Gendron in the Newtown massacre, are often sold to these teenagers.

Unfortunately, the gun industry does not care about the harm they create. They want to increase their revenue and do whatever it takes. Their tactics include developing binary triggers, ghost guns, and other innovative designs that bypass federal laws.