Segments - Concealed Weapon Detection Systems Market by Product (X-ray Body Scanners [Transmission X-ray Scanners and Backscatter X-ray Scanners], Millimeter Wave Body Scanners [Passive and Active], Metal Detectors, Terahertz Body Scanners, and Others), Type (Stationary Concealed Weapon Detection System and Mobile Concealed Weapon Detection System), End-user (Military & Defense, Correctional Facilities, Transportation Infrastructure, Corporate Campuses, Academic Institutions, Stadium & Sports Arenas, Theme Parks/Amusement Parks, and Others), and Region (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023 – 2031
The global concealed weapon detection systems market size was USD 638 Million in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 1.85 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 12.5% during 2023–2031. The market is fueled by the rising security threats such as terrorist attacks and the growing adoption of advanced weapon detection systems.
Increasing security concerns and the rise of crimes are leading drivers of the market. Terrorism, burglaries, mass shootings, privacy intrusion, lone-wolf attacks, and crimes against women are some of the top security threats, among others, across the world. The concealed weapon detection systems are implemented in various public and private establishments at the entrance and different places, to efficiently identify if individuals are carrying weapons with them.
The evolving nature of weapons and crimes necessitates the development of rapid and highly efficient detection systems. The growing adoption of these systems in different industries is expected to create opportunities in the market over the forecast period.
On December 4, 2023, according to the news report published by ABC News, the United States witnessed 627 mass shootings in 2023, so far (till the end of November 2023), as per the Gun Violence Archive. In 2022, there were 645 mass shootings, and in 2021, there were 690 recorded incidences.
The research report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the concealed weapon detection systems market. The demand for new systems slowed considerably, owing to the closure of the majority of public and private places, due to lockdowns implemented by the various governments. The shortage of workforce and limited operations caused a decline in the manufacture of weapon detection systems, as well as resulted in delays in supply chain operations. Post the normalization of the COVID-19 scenario, public and private places have increased the adoption of security scanning systems, in order to curb the spread of infections and prevent intrusions. The rising implementation of such physical security measures supported the market in recovery.
AI advances are anticipated to positively impact the market, owing to the growing demand for advanced detection tools. The nature of security threats is evolving, with the growing emergence of innovative weapons and various tactics applied by criminals to skillfully conceal weapons, to escape the detection systems. This demand systems with advanced capabilities, enabling rapid analysis and quick alerts. Different private and public spaces are witnessing a rise in footfalls, owing to the surge in population and commercialization. For such places, AI-powered weapon detection systems are likely to be highly efficient in managing increased workload by automating several manual processes.
On June 1, 2023, ZeroEyes, developer of the only artificial intelligence (AI) based video analytics platform, which holds the US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, announced a strategic partnership with AEGIX, a Utah, US-based provider of the resources, equipment, technology, and training for first responders. With this partnership, ZeroEyes’ cutting-edge AI gun detection & situational awareness solutions are to be added to the AEGIX Active Incident Management (AIM) platform to make a one-stop solution uniquely developed for public schools in Utah.
Rising adoption of security screening solutions across industries and commercial spaces is one of the influential propelling factors in the market. Ensuring the security of the facilities and assets is an essential need in the modern corporate sector with the rising possession of weapons. Taking steps towards this, companies are adopting advanced weapon detection systems along with intelligent video surveillance systems, to facilitate enhanced security to personnel within premises and to protect assets from theft/burglaries. Weapon detection solutions are proving to be essential for deterring crime, which is boosting their adoption in various industries.
Rising threat of terrorism and gun violence is another factor fueling the market. Public places, transport facilities & mediums, educational institutes, and other sensitive locations require utmost vigilance and installation of security solutions, to safeguard the public. The aviation industry, transport facilities, commercial spaces such as malls, hotels, multiplexes, educational institutes, financial institutions, and the government sectors are some of the major adopters of concealed weapon detection tools for this reason.
According to the statistics published by United Against Gun Violence, 327 people are shot each day in the US. Among them, 117 gunshot cases end up causing death, while 210 survive the gunshot injuries.
High cost, false alarms, and shortage of properly skilled personnel to handle these systems are some of the restraints of the market. The upfront cost required for hardware, software, maintenance, and installation, is significant. Entities with a small budget can face difficulties in allocating substantial budgets for these systems.
Additionally, in several cases these systems have raised false alarms, leading to cause of major confusion. The lack of availability of properly skilled workers to handle and maintain the concealed weapon detection systems is anticipated to limit its adoption, thereby, hindering the market.
Rising integration of advanced technology such as AI and deep learning is likely to generate lucrative opportunities in the market. The addition of these technologies allows taking the automation of the weapon detection procedures to the next level. Additionally, the growing demand from developing regions is expected to create growth potential in the market. The rise of commercial spaces, industrialization, and urbanization, and growing threat of terrorism are driving the need for concealed weapon detection tools in developing countries.
The global market research report includes an assessment of the market trends, market segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes |
Details |
Report Title |
Concealed Weapon Detection Systems Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast |
Base Year |
2022 |
Historic Data |
2016–2021 |
Forecast Period |
2023–2031 |
Segmentation |
Product (X-ray Body Scanners [Transmission X-ray Scanners and Backscatter X-ray Scanners], Millimeter Wave Body Scanners [Passive and Active], Metal Detectors, Terahertz Body Scanners, and Others), Type (Stationary Concealed Weapon Detection System and Mobile Concealed Weapon Detection System), and End-user (Military & Defense, Correctional Facilities, Transportation Infrastructure, Corporate Campuses, Academic Institutions, Stadium & Sports Arenas, Theme Parks/Amusement Parks, and Others) |
Regional Scope |
Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa |
Report Coverage |
Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Market Trends, and Revenue Forecast |
Key Players Covered in the Report |
Apstec Systems; Braun & Co. Limited; C.E.I.A. S.p.A.; Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc.; Leidos; Liberty Defense; MC2 Technologies; Nuctech Company Limited; Passive Security Scan, Inc.; QinetiQ; Rapiscan Systems; Rohde & Schwarz; Smiths Detection Group Ltd.; TeraSense Group; Thruvision Ltd.; and Xtract One Technologies Inc. |
Based on product, the concealed weapon detection systems market is divided into x-ray body scanners, millimeter wave body scanners, metal detectors, terahertz body scanners, and others. The X-ray body scanners segment is subdivided into transmission X-ray scanners and backscatter X-ray scanners. The millimeter wave body scanners segment is further divided into passive and active.
The terahertz body scanners segment is expected to expand at a significant pace during the projection period, owing to their rising adoption as a security screening measure in several commercial establishments. The THz body scanners are compact security solutions that come at low cost and are easy to implement. Terahertz spectroscopy facilitates non-invasive detection and characterization of concealed weapons, explosives, and other security-threatening materials. Their non-intrusiveness makes these scanners most preferred in public spaces, airports, and high-security locations.
The metal detectors segment is projected to witness rapid growth, owing to the growing adoption of portable metal detectors in various commercial spaces. The need to ensure security from all possible harmful items, including guns, knives, sharp objects, and others, is boosting purchase of the metal detectors. Their increasing demand is coming from facilities such as airports, commercial buildings, government offices, schools, railway stations, and other public gathering avenues.
On the basis of type, the global market is bifurcated into stationary concealed weapon detection system and mobile concealed weapon detection system. The mobile concealed weapon detection system segment is projected to register a robust CAGR during the forecast period, owing to its ease-of-use advantage.
The evolving nature of security risks necessitates the adoption of weapon detectors that are portable and easy to move around. Having such a device with security personnel supports ensuring enhanced security and prevention of crime. These solutions are easy to adopt and effective in boosting public confidence about the security of the particular space. The false alarms can be significantly reduced with mobile concealed weapon detection systems.
On the basis of end-use, the concealed weapon detection systems market is segmented into military & defense, correctional facilities, transportation infrastructure, corporate campuses, academic institutions, stadium & sports arenas, theme parks/amusement parks, and others.
The transportation infrastructure segment is expected to lead the market in terms of revenues during the forecast period. This segment is driven by the rising demand for advanced security screening solutions from aviation, railway, and local transport services.
The transportation facilities face significant risks of terrorism, shootings, theft/burglary crimes, and other criminal activities. The majority of end-users of concealed weapon detection systems belong to transportation infrastructure due to sensitive security scenarios in these buildings and premises.
The academic institutions segment is anticipated to exhibit rapid growth over the assessment period, owing to increasing crimes such as mass shootings, lone wolf attacks, and theft on the premises. The several mass shooting incidences in US schools in recent years have increased the adoption of modernized weapon detection tools from these users, to prevent such incidences from taking place in the future.
In terms of region, the global concealed weapon detection systems market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the market during the projection period, owing to the rise of gun violence, terrorism threats, and thefts & burglaries. The ownership of weapons is significant in the US. The majority of the adult population owns a gun, which has resulted in significant concerns in the country with recent shooting incidences in schools and other public places. The growing adoption of advanced concealed weapon detection systems across the end-users to detect modern and smart weapons, in this region, is expected to boost opportunities in the market.
According to the study published in November 2023, nearly 45% of households in the US owned at least one firearm (gun) in their possession. Since 1972, the ownership of a minimum of one firearm in US households hovered between 37% to 47%.
The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a rapid pace, with increased threat of terrorism and security breaches in commercial & private buildings. The adoption of weapon detection systems and video surveillance is growing sharply in emerging economies such as India, China, and Japan, with the rise of urbanization and increasing number of commercial and industrial facilities across cities.
The presence of a large population in these countries naturally drives up the security requirements across law enforcement agencies. Along with rising investment in hiring security personnel, a considerable budget is allocated toward the use of modern security tools. This, in turn, is projected to generate opportunities in this regional market.
The global Concealed Weapon Detection Systems Market has been segmented on the basis of
Key players competing in the Concealed Weapon Detection Systems Market are Apstec Systems; Braun & Co. Limited; C.E.I.A. S.p.A.; Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc.; Leidos; Liberty Defense; MC2 Technologies; Nuctech Company Limited; Passive Security Scan, Inc.; QinetiQ; Rapiscan Systems; Rohde & Schwarz; Smiths Detection Group Ltd.; TeraSense Group; Thruvision Ltd.; and Xtract One Technologies Inc
These companies adopted development strategies including mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, collaboration, product launches, and production expansion to expand their consumer base worldwide. The competitive landscape covers key insights into growth strategies adopted by major market players.
On September 4, 2023, Rohde & Schwarz, a provider of an array of security tools to different industries, announced the unveiling of its future security solutions at the International Security Expo 2023, with a showcasing of its advanced scanner portfolio. At booth D20 Rohde & Schwarz, the company showcased its innovative R&S QPS product offering, comprising the R&S QPS201 & R&S QPS Walk2000 security scanners for advanced screening for people.