October sees 18.4% increase in firearms sales checks over same month last year; 29th straight month over month increase

The October 2012 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,118,994 is an increase of 18.4 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 945,088 in October 2011. For comparison, the unadjusted October 2012 NICS figure of 1,604,743 reflects a 20.5 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,331,836 in October 2011.

This marks the 29th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year and the highest figures ever reported for the month of October.

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