January sees 9.7% increase in firearms sales checks over same month last year

The January 2011 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 784,856 is an increase of 9.7 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 715,309 in January 2010.

For comparison, the unadjusted January 2011 NICS figure of 1,312,544 is an increase of 18 percent over the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,112,312 in January 2010. The adjusted NICS data was derived by NSSF by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks used by several states such as Kentucky and Utah for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases.

While not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provides 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.