The February 2022 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,352,105 is a decrease of 2.5 percent compared to the February 2021 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,387,076. For comparison, the unadjusted February 2022 FBI NICS figure 2,514,818 reflects a 25.9 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 3,394,895 in February 2021.
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Statement from Mark Oliva, NSSF Public Affairs:
“February’s figure of over 1.3 million background checks for the sale of firearm in February indicates that firearm sales remain healthy and sustainable going into 2022. February’s 1,352,105 figure is slightly higher than January’s 1,190,856 – a 13.5 percent increase month-over-month. Firearm sales continue to demonstrate Americans are choosing to exercise their right to keep and bear arms in significant numbers.
“The unprecedented attack by Russia on Ukraine, and Ukraine’s decision to arm their citizens, is a reminder of the importance of the right to lawfully possess firearms in America. The lawful purchase of a firearm is an investment. That’s not just one of an individual’s hard-earned wages, but also a commitment to safety, the free exercise of their rights, and responsibility. The firearm industry is proud to serve law-abiding gun owners who make the decision to purchase a firearm and join the family of responsible firearm ownership.”
Please note: Twenty-five states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit, which under the Brady Act allows the permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer. The number of NICS checks in these states does not include these legal transfers based on qualifying permits and NSSF does not adjust for these transfers.
The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks and permit rechecks used by states for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. NSSF started subtracting permit rechecks in February 2016.
Though not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide an additional picture of current market conditions. In addition to other purposes, NICS is used to check transactions for sales or transfers of new or used firearms.
It should be noted that these statistics represent the number of firearm background checks initiated through the NICS. They do not represent the number of firearms sold or sales dollars. Based on varying state laws, local market conditions, and purchase scenarios, a one-to-one correlation cannot be made between a firearm background check and a firearm sale.
For additional information on NICS or to view a complete set of the current monthly reports, please visit the NICS website.
Questions concerning NSSF-adjusted NICS data should be directed to NSSF at 203-426-1320 or research@nssf.org. Additional research is available at nssf.org/research. NSSF members are able to access historical monthly NICS data by logging in and clicking on “Industry Research” then “NICS data.”
(Photo via Ruger)
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