December sees 24.5% increase in firearms sales checks over same month last year; 19th straight month over month increase

The December 2011 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,410,937 is an increase of 24.5 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,133,371 in December 2010. For comparison, the unadjusted December 2011 NICS figure of 1,854,400 reflects a 22.6 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,512,265 in December 2010.

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

Additional historical comparisons for NSSF-adjusted NICS 2011 annual figure of 10,791,275 show a 14.4 percent increase over 2010, a 33.5 percent increase over 2007 (5-year) and a 54.1 percent increase over 2002 (10-year).

The adjusted NICS data were derived by NSSF research by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks used by several states such as Kentucky, Iowa 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.