In the week leading up to Black Friday, the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) conducted 613,380 firearm-related background checks, a 9.8% decrease from the 680,671 checks recorded during the same period in 2023. The data, released by the NSSF, highlights the ongoing demand for firearms while reflecting a slight cooling from record highs seen in recent years.
On Black Friday alone, NICS processed 169,906 background checks, a figure that closely mirrors retail firearm sales while also including checks for concealed carry permits and other firearm-related purposes. The NSSF plans to release adjusted figures later in the week that isolate checks directly related to firearm purchases.
Spreading the Demand
To mitigate potential delays in background check processing, NSSF had worked with firearm retailers to spread special sales throughout the week instead of concentrating them on Black Friday. Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO, emphasized that while background check numbers have eased from recent peaks, demand remains robust.
“Firearm sales have consistently surpassed one million per month for over five years,” Bartozzi noted. “This continued trend underscores the strong interest among law-abiding Americans in lawful firearm ownership, and manufacturers are meeting that demand with quality products.”
Weekly Breakdown
The daily unadjusted NICS background check figures for the week leading up to Black Friday were as follows:
- Saturday, Nov. 23: 86,224
- Sunday, Nov. 24: 49,535
- Monday, Nov. 25: 89,662
- Tuesday, Nov. 26: 98,093
- Wednesday, Nov. 27: 104,896
- Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving): 15,074
- Friday, Nov. 29 (Black Friday): 169,906
Seasonal Trends
Firearm sales typically see an uptick during the year’s final months, driven by hunting season and holiday promotions. The figures reinforce a steady appetite for firearms among Americans, reflecting a market that, while no longer at pandemic-era highs, continues to thrive.
My local FFL has a Sig P226 XFIVE that I was just positive would be on sale at 40% off for Black Friday. Imagine my disappointment when it wasn’t…
/s
No dough this year.
I haven’t bought any guns this year. Basically, I’ve accumulated nearly everything I could reasonably want. I certainly don’t need anything.
Besides that, the leftists running Washington state have made the purchase of guns a big hassle.
This new S&W Bodyguard 2.0 does look pretty enticing. I may have to get one. I like to pocket carry, and this new Bodyguard looks like an improvement over my current options of 642, gen 1 LCP, and Max-9.
Art…………My LCP MAX .380 works great for me as pocket carry. I know it is only a .380, but it is better than nothing and doesn’t tick off my arthritic hip.
They just don’t make a pocket carry cannon that weights less than 2 pounds.
Thanks Hush. The LCP Max (10+1 or even 12+1) is a big upgrade over my basic original (6+1) LCP (which I frequently carry). I do prefer 9mm (my Max-9) or .38sp+p (my 642) over the .380, but still often just carry the little baby LCP. It’s just so convenient.
I’ve long considered getting an LCP Max, but this new Bodyguard 2.0 seems like an upgrade over the Ruger.
I just don’t really need one. 🤔
All of my big firearms related expenses this year have been in powder and primers.
Favourite brands for primers such as Winchester are hardly available and cost about $200 per thousand. Powder is scarce and my preferred AR2206H had to be substituted for Benchmark 2. And BM2 costs $140 per kilo. Luckily the burning rates are almost identical and the book data is the same charge weights (I consulted my ADI printed loading books and their current online data).
With the defeat of the democrats, the immediate danger has been kicked down the road.
And, discretionary income has shrunk to the size of a small pea for most folks.
Biden Trump effect. Less worry, but less money.
My last 4473 was in Dec. 23 when I purchased a stripped Aero .308 receiver. My next 4473 will be for a Gen 3 Sar9 4 .4″ with OEM night sights but first by order of the high command I have to sell one of my 3 Sar9s, the one I didn’t install nights on is going to a trusted friend for a brother in law price and he also wants 4 20 rd AR mags and will want night sights later and pay me to install them…a win win.
If money is tight and you want to help the industry shop around for a most anyone can afford stripped muti cal Anderson AR receiver in retail packaging. An out of package purchase could have a rare drilled too high takedown pin bore, etc. so check an unpackaged receiver fit to the upper in hand or have the seller check fit with return option providing you don’t sign the FFL and your FFL is OK with a receiver return. If you want a good upper receiver that for me has always worked well with Anderson try the Aero M4E1 upper receiver. And the FN or Criterion barrels have always fit and aligned correctly with Aero M4 ramps.
I need to buy a safe before I buy more firearms. I need something big enough to hold a shottie, an AR, one other long gun of an undecided form factor, at least one carbine, and up to 4 handguns of various sizes and form factors.
There should be some room left over for about 4″ of important files, plus a Pelikan-like case that holds my backup computer drives.
I think a white or cream-colored Liberty or similar would look great in my living room. I’d like to outfit it with humidity control and internal lighting.
Everything I see is too expensive, but about every 6 months I look again.
Things I’m Thankful for this holiday –
my LGS doesn’t have a cute blondie like that staring back at me as I try to come up with an excuse to walk out of the shop empty-handed after stopping in for a “quick look” at trade-ins.
” That 629 really brings out the silver in your hair, Sir…”
Yeah, I’d be rearranging the safe to make room for another revolver for certain.
It is now settled science that the public is rebelling against private ownership of firearms; a near 10% drop in sales is a landslide, that will become an avalanche of declining sales.
America has turned a righteous corner on unusual, dangerous, and unecessary ownership of unusual, dangerous, and deadly devices suitable only for military use. Not to mention that fewer guns translates to more tourist dollars.
I again proclaim, “No guns means No gun crime”.
“Sam I Am” is an anagram of miasma.
Or, another name for swamp gas.
I am planning a longrifle percussion build. Illinois says I have to use an ffl. 20 years ago I could have a kit sent to my house, not anymore.
I have about all I need, unless I get a bear tag next year to hunt private and in Minnesota. 45-70 may be the next Henry.