May sees 11.4% increase in firearms sales checks over same month last year; 12th straight month over month increase

The May 2011 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 696,947 is an increase of 11.4 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 625,763 in May 2010.

For comparison, the unadjusted May 2011 NICS figure of 1,219,872 is an increase of 20.8 percent over the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,009,818 in May 2010. This marks the 12th 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.