Via NSSF: The September 2021 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,350,754 is a decrease of 17.3 percent compared to the September 2020 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,632,918. For comparison, the unadjusted September 2021 FBI NICS figure 2,602,293 reflects an 8.9 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,857,953 in September 2020.
The September 2021 figures were the second strongest for the month on record, surpassed only by September 2020, when 1,632,918 background checks for a firearm sale were conducted. The third quarter 2021 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 3,970,570 reflects a decrease of 23.1 percent compared to the 5,165,308 figure for third quarter 2020, making third quarter 2021 the second-highest on record.
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
About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation® is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.
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