GUN ownership in Albury has jumped by more than 20 per cent over the past five years.
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The growth in firearms possession in the city is outstripping the levels experienced in surrounding rural areas from 2010 to 2015.
Corowa rose by 10.7 per cent, Holbrook 11 per cent, Culcairn 14.8 per cent, Henty 2.9 per cent, Jindera 17.7 per cent, Mulwala 13.9 per cent, Berrigan 4.9 per cent and Finley 10.9 per cent.
The 21.9 per cent increase in Albury takes the total guns in the city to 7360, while Lavington has 2554.
The NSW police figures, which have been sourced by the Greens, show there is an average of 0.22 guns in Albury per person.
Walla has the region's top per capita rate of 0.63.
Albury police firearms licensing officer Sergeant Steve McCaig was surprised by the rise in the ownership levels in Albury, but was unable to pinpoint a particular reason.
Elk's Hunting and Fishing representative Justin Elkington said there had been greater demand for firearms at his Albury store.
"The population is growing and with that the young people are getting licences and buying registered firearms,” Mr Elkington said.
"With farmers there are that many pests with rabbits, foxes, wild dogs out there that they are just trying to control those feral animals."
Mr Elkington said sports shooting was becoming more affordable and was being promoted which fostered expansion.
Albury Wodonga Clay Target Club vice president Allan Collins said his group had seen steady growth in recent years with an average of 80 active members.
He said his group encouraged responsible ownership, particularly with juniors.
"We teach young people to leaves guns unloaded,” Mr Collins said.
Sergeant McCaig estimated 90 per cent of firearms in the district would be rifles or shotguns.
He said an audit of all district gun owners from 2009 to 2013 showed there was a high-compliance rate with registration and storage rules.
On the flipside, Sergeant McCaig said illegal gun finds were not prevalent.
"We from time to time come across unregistered and illegal firearms and some that have never been registered but it's not common," Sgt McCaig said.
"In the last month we've come across probably maybe half a dozen firearms that have never been registered and are illegal."
