Another indicator of gun sales returning to normality as the National Shooting Sports Foundation reports that adjusted NICS sales background check volume was about 1.2 million in January. The NSSF’s Mark Oliva tells TTAG that . . .

The NSSF Adjusted FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System report of 1,190,856 shows us that there is a continued interest in firearm ownership in America. This marks the 30th month in a row that background checks for a firearm purchase topped 1 million in a single month and ranks as the fifth strongest for the month of January.

The firearm industry is coming off two record-setting years of firearm purchases and sustained production to meet that increased demand. While everyone is looking for what the “new” normal will be coming off those outsized years of background checks for the purchase of a gun, January’s figure of nearly 1.2 million shows that America’s demand for lawful gun ownership continues at a healthy and sustainable pace.

Here’s the NSSF’s press release on the January numbers . . .

The January 2022 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,190,856 is a decrease of 42.0 percent compared to the January 2021 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 2,052,130. For comparison, the unadjusted January 2022 FBI NICS figure 2,533,096 reflects a 40.9 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 4,288,240 in January 2021.

[Reminder: The bar was set high last January! Three of the top-10 weeks and one top-10 single day for the highest number of FBI NICS background checks occurred in January 2021.]

Please note: Twenty-five states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit, which under the Brady Act allows the permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer. The number of NICS checks in these states does not include these legal transfers based on qualifying permits and NSSF does not adjust for these transfers.

The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks and permit rechecks used by states for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. NSSF started subtracting permit rechecks in February 2016.

Though not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide an additional picture of current market conditions. In addition to other purposes, NICS is used to check transactions for sales or transfers of new or used firearms.

It should be noted that these statistics represent the number of firearm background checks initiated through the NICS. They do not represent the number of firearms sold or sales dollars. Based on varying state laws, local market conditions and purchase scenarios, a one-to-one correlation cannot be made between a firearm background check and a firearm sale.

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23 COMMENTS

  2. And the people of this country realize that the police and the government can do little to protect you.

    IT IS UP TO YOU!

  3. “Please note: Twenty-five states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit, which under the Brady Act allows the permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer.“
    I forget if I read it here or on Ammoland but it was stated that the ATF was running the background checks after the fact for these types of purchases.

  4. Hey I got 2 gats last year. Planning on more this year. I was going to venture into buying online but my transfer shop closed. And the near by shop charges way too much. Looking for a cheaper LPVO this month…any suggestions folks?

    • Either you get it transferred to an FFL near you or someplace else to which you will need to travel a farther distance. Remember though, all FFL’s are not retail shops and there may be an FFL near you that does private sales but not to the general public.

      A large chain store retail ‘sporting goods’ outlet with an FFL may be able to do it for you too. For example; Academy Sports stores will do it for you and I think their fee is still $40.00 (but you will need to check) – Sportsman’s Warehouse does it too and I think its $50.00 ($100.00 for California residents). Also, the place on line where you buy the gun may be able to help you find an FFL to do it that’s more convenient to you. Check out pawn shops too who also sell guns or take guns on pawn, all of the pawn shops around here do it for $35.00.

      • Go to Gun Broker and enter your buyer zip and up pops FFLs in your area. Info includes cost for rifles and handguns, open/closed time and a physical address. FFL retailers in my area exclude the 4473 charge with a purchase.
        Anything higher than $35.00 to process is a scalping. $20 to $25 is more than enough for an anal examination you do not need.
        If you are going to order online I.E. Gun Broker verify if your FFL location is on file with the seller. Contact your FFL and let them know the transaction details, ETA, etc. Purchase the firearm. To save time upon delivery to your FFL do the 4473 while the firearm is in transit. All you have to do upon arrival is sign and leave.

  5. Not sure what they are charging you but the range near my house charges 50 for the transfer and 10 for the background check. On-line has been very good for me as I can shop for the best deals which always beats the local chain shop (Cabella’s, Sportmans. ect.) I have had good luck with Grab a Gun, Buds and Lock n Loaded. Never any issues.

    • Thanks for the “advice”. Looking for LPVO info. I get some dam good deals locally. Plus if anything goes wrong I can get help(which I’ve done). Worth it as I jammed up a shotgun years ago & mounting a light on my AR.

      • @FWW

        Take a look at the Swampfox Optics Arrowhead series of LVPO scopes. I picked up their 1-8×24 LVPO with the Guerrilla Dot BDC Long reticle last year and I like it very much. Second focal plane seems to work better in low power scopes so that is not a problem for me. The scope is optically great, operation is smooth, the reticle is well thought out. A good package for the $$.

        • Thanks! I have looked at them & Monstrum(& others) as well as Vortex at my local Cabelas. Really like the illuminated reticle on a LPVO. I have a red dot + 3x magnifier already as well as a 3-9×40 scope with rings. Mainly looking to reach out 200-300 yards. Eyesight pretty good after cataract surgery last year…

  6. These NCICs approvals should include the freedom to wear a damned coat over a firearm or in a purse, bag, etc. And one check should be good for an additional purchase down the road without starting the whole process over again. Bottom line…Concealed Carry Permits are nothing more than discrimination. Person A can wear a coat. Person B cannot wear a coat. That’s discrimination.

    • Don’t fret Debbie W all the left leaning, boot licking regulars on this site (ex/ Geoff the Pervert, Haz and Lamp the woman abuser) are happy to rush down to their local government office to beg the local bureaucrat for permission to exercise an inalienable, God given right.

  7. Just to let everyone know,
    I ordered a combat type shotgun on Father’s Day of last year, from one of the largest gun dealers in the state , still haven’t got it.
    This is from a gun manufacturer who touted their weapons are MADE IN AMERICA by Americans.
    When I inquired about the order twice, the dealer gets his panties in a bunch & wants to return my deposit.
    So much for dealer service & trying to support American businesses.
    NOT HAPPY.

    • NORDNEG: Some stuff is still just plain hard to find. I wanted a Mini 14 Tactical, and asked my LGS to get it for me, but when he checked his distributers, it was no go. I told him that I had seen some on Gun Broker. He said that while he wished he could sell me one, I should grab it from the Gun Broker source, which is what I did. Earlier, I gave up on a couple of other items and have cancelled my orders for same. However, on one of those I was able to make a substitution.

  8. K ON WEAPON SELLS , UUUUM MORE AMMO PLEASE ..
    HAVE NOT SEEN ANY BUCKETS OF GOLDEN BULLETS ON SHELVES , HEARD RUMOR ONE STORE GOT SIX INSTOCK , YEAAAA HA HA
    NOR THUNDER BOLTS , ONLY ONLINE

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