The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that adjusted firearms background checks (excluding permit checks and rechecks) were down 4.2 percent year-over-year (Y/Y) in April.
Adjusted background checks had jumped 10.8 percent in March, with some linking the gain to concerns over heightened gun control legislation following the Parkland, FL shooting. Background checks on an adjusted basis were down 2.0 percent in February and off 8.0 percent in January.
The unadjusted April 2018 FBI NICS figure 2.19 million reflects a 7.3 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2.04 million in April 2017.
April 2018 still represents the fourth highest April on record. Retail Calendar 1Q18 checks are up 1.9 percent, compared to down 11.3 percent in Q417.
