The May 2016 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 928,532 is an increase of 1.1 percent compared to the May 2015 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 918,707. For comparison, the unadjusted May 2016 FBI NICS figure of 1,860,699 reflects an 18.4 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 1,570,893 in May 2015. To learn more about last month’s NICS report, log in to the member side of www.nssf.org.
The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks used by several states such as Connecticut, Illinois, and Utah for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases.
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 of firearms sales and transfers on new and used handguns and long guns. FBI NICS and NSSF-adjusted NICS figures do not account for firearm sales using approved alternate permits such as a concealed carry license. Several states allow the use of such alternate permits. 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.
