July sees 8.3% increase in firearms sales checks over same month last year; 14th straight month over month increase

The July 2011 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 680,258 is an increase of 8.3 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 628,125 in July 2010. For comparison, the unadjusted July 2011 NICS figure of 1,147,355 is an increase of 8 percent over the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,062,886 in July 2010.

This marks the 14th straight month-over-month increase in NSSF-adjusted NICS figures.

The adjusted NICS data were derived by NSSF by subtracting out all 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.