NSSF: September Adjusted NICS Background Checks Decline 8.2 Percent

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reported the September 2023 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) number decreased 8.2 percent to 1,141,847, compared to the September 2022 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,243,687.

The September decrease reflects a moderating trend in the decline rate, following declines of 13.0 percent in August, 17.0 percent in July and 19.6 percent in June. May was down only 0.1 percent.

September 2023 marks the 50th month in a row that exceeded one million adjusted background checks in a single month.

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, NSSF said the adjusted NICS data provides 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.

The unadjusted September 2023 FBI NICS figure of 2,035,410 reflects a 16.5 percent percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,437,563 in September 2022.

Twenty-four states 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.

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.