May sees 15.9% increase in firearms sales checks over same month last year; 36th straight month over month increase

The May 2013 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 974,457 is an increase of 15.9 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 840,412 in May 2012. For comparison, the unadjusted May 2013 NICS figure of 1,424,450 reflects a 9.1 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,305,392 in May 2012.

This marks the 36th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year.

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 a more accurate 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.