Top 10 states where gun makers play pivotal economic role
The firearms industry has gone through turmoil over the past few months as gun companies post sales declines. Companies such as United Airlines and MetLife have cut ties with the National Rifle Association since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead. Yet weapons makers play a pivotal economic role in many states.
According to a new study released Monday, the personal-finance website WalletHub used data from 50 states to determine which depend the most on the arms and ammunitions industry for jobs and to support the overall economy.
The states that are most dependent on the gun industry are Idaho, Montana, Alaska and South Dakota, while Maryland, New Jersey and Rhode Island were the least dependent.
Idaho has 40 jobs in the firearms industry per 10,000 residents, the highest rate in the U.S. That is about 20 times more than in New Jersey, which had the fewest at 2.06.
Other key finding include Alaska having the highest gun ownership rate at 61.7%, which is almost 12 times higher than in Delaware, which has the lowest at 5.2%. Connecticut has the highest average firearms-industry wages and benefits at $75,708, while New Mexico has the lowest at $34.416.
Here are the top 10 states that are most and least dependent on the gun industry.