This map shows which states are most dependent on the gun business
The gun debate continues to be a pressing political issue in the US, especially as we approach the 2016 presidential election.
But regardless of how people feel about the issue, one thing's certain: Americans buy a lot of guns.
And that means that the gun industry makes up a significant chunk of the US economy.
"By one estimate, firearms and ammunition contributed a total of nearly $43 billion to the economy in 2014. That figure accounts for more than 263,000 jobs that paid $13.7 billion in total wages," according to a report done by WalletHub.
"In the same year, federal and state governments collected from the industry more than $5.79 billion in business taxes, plus an additional $863.7 million in federal excise duties," they added.
As such, WalletHub took a look at which states are the most dependent on the gun industry and put together an interactive map:
The five states most dependent on the gun industry overall are Idaho, Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, and Arkansas, according to their report.
Idaho has the second highest number of firearms-industry jobs per capita at 26.78 jobs per 10,000 residents. Additionally, the total firearms industry output per capita there is $501, again the second highest in the nation.
On the flip side, Alaska, which was the second highest overall on the list, saw pretty low numbers in terms of output per capita (46th place at $70) and number of firearms-industry jobs per 10,000 residents (34th place at 6.92). However, the state was a major consumer, and had the highest percentage of gun ownership at 61.7%.
And as for taxes, Montana, which was third overall, saw the largest total taxes paid by the firearms industry per capita at $4.69.
But the gun industry doesn't only add to the US economy.
"The losses from gun violence certainly put those gains in perspective," added the WalletHub report.
"A recent analysis by Mother Jones estimated the cost of fatal and nonfatal gun violence at $229 billion in 2012. According to the authors of the report, that toll 'would have been $47 billion more than Apple's 2014 worldwide revenue and $88 billion more than what the US government budgeted for education that year.'"
Check out the full report at WalletHub here.