The upward trend in firearms sales continued in April, marking the sixth consecutive month of significant increases.  Data released by the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) reported 1,225,980 checks in April 2009.

 

This figure is a 30.3% increase from the 940,961 reported in April 2008.  The April increase follows a 29.2% gain in March and rises of 23% in February, 28% in January, 24% in December and 42% in November, when a record 1,529,635 background checks were performed.  FBI background checks are required under federal law for anyone purchasing a new or used firearm from a licensed gun dealer and serve as a gauge of actual sales but do not reflect the actual number of firearms sold.