Gunshot Detection Systems Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.15 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 2.17 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 13.52% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Gunshot Detection Systems Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The gunshot detection system market is valued at USD 1.15 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to advance to USD 2.17 billion by 2030, representing a 13.52% CAGR. Uptake stems from rising urban gun violence, steady public-sector funding, and the proven ability of dual-sensor platforms to cut false alerts. Providers have pivoted from hardware sales to subscription services, giving municipalities access to continuous upgrades without large capital outlays. Technology convergence with video analytics, autonomous drones, and real-time crime-center platforms expands the market’s addressable footprint into education, critical infrastructure, and battlefield awareness. North America leads with wide-area city deployments and strong grant pipelines, while Asia-Pacific is accelerating on the back of smart-city spending and domestic sensor innovation.
Key Report Takeaways
- By application, outdoor environments held 60.26% of the gunshot detection system market share in 2024; indoor deployments are projected to grow at a 11.48% CAGR through 2030.
- By installation, fixed systems commanded 52.75% of the gunshot detection system market in 2024; soldier-mounted units are forecasted to expand at a 15.69% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
- By solution, integrated systems led with 64.12% revenue share in 2024, while subscription services are advancing at a 14.55% CAGR to 2030.
- By end-user, law-enforcement agencies accounted for 49.27% of the gunshot detection system market share in 2024; campuses and educational institutions are poised to post a 14.29% CAGR to 2030.
- By geography, North America represented 40.78% of the gunshot detection system market in 2024, whereas Asia-Pacific is set to record a 9.49% CAGR during the forecast period.
Global Gunshot Detection Systems Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escalating gun-related violence in major cities | +4.1% | North America, Latin America, select European urban centers | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Growing federal and municipal safety-tech grants | +3.4% | North America, Western Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Accuracy gains from acoustic and IR sensor fusion | +2.7% | Global, with emphasis on developed markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Modernization of soldier situational-awareness kits | +2.0% | North America, Middle East, Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Insurance-premium discounts for protected sites | +1.4% | North America, Western Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Real-time-crime-centre demand for API-ready feeds | +1.1% | North America, select European and Asian urban centers | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Escalating gun-related violence in major cities
Cities experiencing higher firearm incidents are adopting detection networks as first-line infrastructure. The US recorded 40,886 gun-violence deaths and 31,652 injuries in 2024, creating a USD 557 billion economic burden. Only 15% of gunfire was reported through 911 in San Francisco, but audio sensors captured the remainder, supplying dispatchers with geolocated alerts in under a minute.[1]San Francisco Police Department, “Surveillance Technology Policy: Audio Recorder – ShotSpotter,” sanfranciscopolice.orgIndependent clinical research also showed transport times for gunshot victims falling from 4 minutes to 2 minutes after deployment, improving survival odds. These benefits strengthen the funding case for additional square-mile coverage.
Growing federal and municipal safety-tech grants
Dedicated grant programs are lowering adoption barriers for mid-sized jurisdictions. Several US states have ring-fenced awards for AI-enabled gun detection in K-12 facilities, alongside city-level allocations that cover subscription fees. A national technology assessment underscored the importance of solutions with open APIs and CAD integration, further steering awards toward interoperable vendors.[2]US Department of Homeland Security, “Gunshot Detection System Operational Field Assessment Report,” dhs.gov
Accuracy gains from acoustic and IR sensor fusion
Dual-sensor nodes that fuse acoustic shock-wave signatures with infrared muzzle-flash recognition now reach 99.9% accuracy in live-fire testing. Patented algorithms analyse the two streams concurrently, enabling reliable classification even when alarms or fireworks occur simultaneously. The performance jump has renewed buyer confidence and broadened suitability for dense indoor venues.
Modernization of soldier situational-awareness kits
Lightweight, shoulder-worn detectors localise sniper fire in under 0.25 seconds and feed coordinates to helmet displays, enhancing small-unit survivability. Defence ministries are embedding these modules into broader digital soldier programs, creating a pathway for ruggedised, low-power chips that later migrate into civilian products.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | ( ~ ) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| High capex and OPEX for multi-node deployments | -4.1% | Global, particularly emerging markets | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Evidentiary reliability and false-alert concerns | -2.7% | North America, Europe | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Privacy/civil-liberty litigation risk | -2.0% | North America, Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Budgets shifting to multi-sensor drone platforms | -1.4% | North America, Middle East | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
High deployment costs challenge widespread adoption
Traditional networks cost USD 65,000–95,000 per square mile each year, limiting roll-out beyond large cities. Subscription models that convert capital to operating expense are gaining traction, while edge-processing units such as the ATD-300 cut server loads and sensor counts, lowering total cost of ownership.
Evidentiary reliability and false-alert concerns
Academic evaluations in several US cities found some alerts 15% more likely to be unfounded than comparable 911 calls, prompting court scrutiny over evidentiary use.[3]Eric L. Piza, “Assessing ShotSpotter Deployments,” nij.ojp.govCivil-liberty advocates have also questioned continuous ambient recording, triggering policy debates on retention periods and audit trails. Vendors are countering with stricter human review and transparent audit logs to sustain user trust.
Segment Analysis
By Application: Outdoor Nodes Anchor Market Leadership
Outdoor deployments accounted for 60.26% of 2024 revenue, cementing their status as the primary layer of urban gunfire intelligence. Wide-area mesh arrays triangulate shock waves across alleys, parks, and arterial roads, filling the 85% reporting gap detected in city data sets. Linking alerts to surveillance cameras enables joint audio-visual verification, giving patrols actionable evidence within 60 seconds. This integration supports the broader smart-city mandate to overlay disparate sensors on a unified command platform.
Indoor solutions are accelerating at a 11.48% CAGR as education boards, arenas, and corporate campuses respond to rising active-shooter incidents. Dual acoustic-infrared devices such as Guardian achieve 99.9% in-situ accuracy, even in echo-rich hallways. Pilot studies in school corridors using laboratory-calibrated microphones further improved classification to 99.99% accuracy, setting a new benchmark for enclosed-space performance. Combining alerts with building-automation systems triggers lockdowns and mass-notification channels, extending value beyond first response.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Installation: Fixed Infrastructure Provides Baseline Coverage
Fixed installations represented 52.75% of the gunshot detection system market size in 2024 due to their suitability for high-density neighborhoods. City agencies value their continuous monitoring and integration with existing fibre backbones. Data from police audits showed only 15% of outdoor gunfire reached emergency lines, highlighting the importance of fixed nodes in capturing silent incidents.
Soldier-mounted and portable formats are projected to log a 15.69% CAGR as defence forces prioritise compact situational-awareness gear. Shoulder-worn sensor packs weighing under 230 grams communicate with radio headsets, improving survivability during urban operations. Vehicle-mounted arrays round out the category, giving patrol cars and armored transports on-the-move detection that feeds automatically into dispatch consoles for route adjustment.
By Solution: Systems Remain Dominant, Services Surge
Integrated hardware-software packages still delivered 64.12% of 2024 spending, supported by long-planned infrastructure projects. Vendors embed sophisticated classifiers in these nodes, filtering fireworks, exhaust pops, and slamming dumpsters with sub-second latency. The installed base reassures city councils evaluating future upgrades.
Services, however, are advancing at a 14.55% CAGR on the back of SaaS contracts that bill by square mile. Annual subscriptions include cloud analytics, firmware updates, and 24/7 human review, converting unpredictable maintenance into predictable operating budgets. A leading provider now covers 1,076 square miles across 177 cities and 20 universities, underscoring the scaling advantages of a service model.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By End-User: Law Enforcement Dominates, Education Rises Fast
Law-enforcement agencies held 49.27% of the gunshot detection system market share in 2024. Deployments feed real-time alerts to computer-aided dispatch software, letting officers arrive sooner and collect shell casings before they are removed by weather or pedestrians. Data-rich heat maps guide resource allocation and community-based interventions.
Campuses are the fastest-growing buyer group at a 14.29% CAGR, propelled by 330 reported school shootings in 2024. Districts are layering gunshot sensors onto existing camera networks to satisfy state-level grant requirements that mandate verified solutions. Homeland-security certifications and low false-alert metrics influence procurement scoring, driving vendors to publish peer-reviewed validation reports.
Geography Analysis
North America generated the largest share at 40.78% in 2024. Persistent firearm incidents, combined with federal programmes such as the Justice Assistance Grant, underpin continuous spending on the gunshot detection system market expansion. Integration with real-time crime centers in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco demonstrates operational maturity, while philanthropic funding streams expand coverage into underserved neighborhoods.
Europe is characterised by strong privacy frameworks that shape deployment design. Vendors must accommodate data-minimisation rules and limited retention periods, favouring edge-processed alerts rather than continuous recording. Uptake among metropolitan police services in the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands focuses on protecting transit hubs and tourist districts.
Asia-Pacific is projected to post the fastest regional CAGR of 9.49% as smart-city programs roll out in China, India, and Southeast Asia. Domestic sensor makers benefit from government incentives, and rising urbanisation heightens demand for scalable perimeter security. Defence ministries in the region are also trialling soldier-mounted variants, borrowing from the US and European battlefield experience.
South America faces high homicide rates in several capitals, which is driving municipal pilots despite constrained budgets. Subscription plans that bypass heavy upfront costs are gaining traction. The Middle East and parts of Africa adopt the technology mainly to safeguard critical energy infrastructure and large-scale events, often bundling gunshot detection with drone surveillance for rapid interdiction.
Competitive Landscape
The gunshot detection system market features a moderate concentration, with roughly a dozen vendors splitting most contracts. Leading specialist SoundThinking operates the largest cloud-review center, processing over 328,000 gunfire events in 2024. Defence primes like Raytheon BBN and Thales capitalise on deep acoustics research to serve military and homeland-security clients. QinetiQ maintains an edge in wearable soldier solutions, supplying over 19,500 systems globally.
Strategic alliances are expanding distribution reach. PSA Security Network recently added Shooter Detection Systems to its integrator catalogue, enabling 700-plus members to quote turnkey projects. Alarm.com’s acquisition of Shooter Detection Systems extended its ecosystem of connected-building services, signaling convergence between traditional intrusion detection and active-shooter mitigation. Edge-AI entrants like Acoem deliver single-sensor nodes that clip into existing Ethernet drops, lowering installation complexity and challenging multi-sensor incumbents.
Vendors differentiate on false-alert rates, API openness, and evidence-grade logging. Certification by agencies such as the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now a common bid requirement, favouring companies with transparent testing data. As the market scales, consortium standards on data exchange and audit formats will likely push laggards toward collaboration or acquisition.
Gunshot Detection Systems Industry Leaders
-
SoundThinking, Inc.
-
Shooter Detection Systems LLC
-
Raytheon BBN (RTX Corporation)
-
QinetiQ Group plc
-
ACOEM Group
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- April 2025: SoundThinking enhanced PlateRanger by integrating ShotSpotter data, enabling faster linkage between gunfire events and vehicle records.
- March 2025: Acoem introduced the ATD-300 single-sensor detector featuring edge AI analytics that negate triangulation requirements.
- March 2025: Genea and Shooter Detection Systems partnered to link indoor sensors with cloud security management for educational facilities.
- January 2025: Tacoma secured a USD 800,000 federal grant to pilot ShotSpotter across a two-square-mile zone.
Global Gunshot Detection Systems Market Report Scope
A gunfire locator, also known as a gunshot detection system, is designed to pinpoint and relay the origin of gunfire or weapon discharges. It achieves this through a network of sensors, including acoustic, vibration, and optical, sometimes in combination. These systems find applications in law enforcement, security, military, government, schools, and commercial settings, aiding in identifying the location, and sometimes the direction and weapon type, of the gunfire.
Typically, a gunshot detection system comprises three primary elements: an array of sensors, such as microphones, accelerometers, and infrared detectors, which can be either clustered or spread out geographically; a central processing unit; and a user interface for displaying alerts related to gunfire.
The gunshot detection systems market is segmented by type, application, installation, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into indoor and outdoor. By application, the market is segmented into defense and law enforcement. By installation, the market is segmented into fixed installation and vehicle installation. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts in major countries across different regions. For each segment, the market size is provided in terms of value (USD).
| By Application | Indoor | |||
| Outdoor | ||||
| By Installation | Fixed | |||
| Vehicle-Mounted | ||||
| Soldier-Mounted/Portable | ||||
| By Solution | Systems | |||
| Subscription-Based Gunshot Detection Services (SaaS) | ||||
| By End-User | Defense and Military | |||
| Law Enforcement Agencies | ||||
| Commercial and Critical Infrastructure | ||||
| Campus and Educational Institutions | ||||
| By Geography | North America | United States | ||
| Canada | ||||
| Mexico | ||||
| South America | Brazil | |||
| Rest of South America | ||||
| Europe | Germany | |||
| United Kingdom | ||||
| France | ||||
| Italy | ||||
| Russia | ||||
| Rest of Europe | ||||
| Asia-Pacific | China | |||
| India | ||||
| Japan | ||||
| South Korea | ||||
| Australia | ||||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | ||
| United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Turkey | ||||
| Rest of Middle East | ||||
| Africa | South Africa | |||
| Rest of Africa | ||||
| Indoor |
| Outdoor |
| Fixed |
| Vehicle-Mounted |
| Soldier-Mounted/Portable |
| Systems |
| Subscription-Based Gunshot Detection Services (SaaS) |
| Defense and Military |
| Law Enforcement Agencies |
| Commercial and Critical Infrastructure |
| Campus and Educational Institutions |
| North America | United States | ||
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Russia | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| India | |||
| Japan | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Australia | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | |
| United Arab Emirates | |||
| Turkey | |||
| Rest of Middle East | |||
| Africa | South Africa | ||
| Rest of Africa | |||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current size of the gunshot detection system market?
The market was valued at USD 1.15 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.17 billion by 2030, reflecting a 13.52% CAGR.
Which end-user segment is expanding the fastest?
Educational institutions are forecast to grow at a 14.29% CAGR as schools integrate dual-sensor platforms into broader campus-safety ecosystems.
How accurate are modern gunshot detection systems?
Systems that combine acoustic and infrared sensing achieve up to 99.9% accuracy in live-fire tests, sharply reducing false alerts and boosting user confidence.
Why are cities opting for subscription rather than outright system purchases?
Subscription models convert capital costs into predictable operating expenses and include continuous software and firmware upgrades, easing budget approval.
Which geographic market is expected to record the highest growth rate through 2030?
Asia-Pacific is set to lead growth at a 9.49% CAGR, driven by smart-city investments and increasing urban security concerns.
What factors limit wider adoption in smaller municipalities?
High per-square-mile costs and concerns over evidentiary reliability create barriers, although newer edge-processed devices and grants are beginning to offset these challenges.
