While the country deals with a period of economic uncertainty, large-scale corporate bailouts and the recent “Tea Party” tax protests, it seems unlikely that anyone would be excited about the federal government collecting an unusually high amount of taxes.

But that’s exactly the case in the firearms industry. According to a recent report released from the Department of Treasury, firearms and ammunition manufacturers paid more than $98 million in excise taxes in the fourth quarter of 2008. This is a 31.3 percent increase over the same time period in 2007.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the leading trade association of the firearms industry, touts the numbers proudly.

“Demand for firearms and ammunition is clear,” said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. “Since the November elections we’ve seen an increase in firearm ownership coupled with an unprecedented level of attendance at firearm safety courses nationwide.”

“Americans are buying firearms, and they’re taking the proper precautions to ensure they exercise their individual Second Amendment rights safely and responsibly,” Sanetti continued.

Just where do these taxes originate? They are the result of the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax, which is collected by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, or TTB, a division of the U.S. Treasury Department.

The taxes, according to the TTB, are obtained through the sales of firearms and ammunition. For every handgun sold, 10 percent of the sales price goes to pay the excise tax. For ammunition and long gun purchases, 11 percent percent of the sales price is to cover the tax.

These collected taxes revenues are distributed to the U.S. Fish and Wild Service, which divides the funds among state government agencies to be used on wildlife habitat restoration, hunter education, wildlife management, wildlife research and shooting ranges, according to TTB.

The Treasury Department report, which covers the time period of Oct. 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008, shows $27.6 million was collected for pistols and revolvers, $35.0 million for long guns and $35.5 million for ammunition.

Compared to the same quarter in 2007, collections were up 70.1 percent for handguns, 11.4 percent for long guns and 31.1 percent for ammunition according, to the NSSF. These figures close out the 2008 calendar year with a total of $345.2 million collected in excise taxes, an increase of around $42 million over what was collected in 2007.

The NSSF indicates excise taxes on firearms and ammunition traditionally raise more than $163 million annually for wildlife programs. Since 1937, these taxes alone have raised over 4 billion to help in conservation efforts.

“These numbers speak to a much greater story,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “America’s gun owners have serious concerns about the country’s current political make-up. Lawmakers should recognize this and understand that these gun owners are not merely consumers buying a product, but voters reacting to a very real threat.”

Outdoors correspondent Jeff Leonard can be reached at outdoors@npgco.com