With a record-breaking 39.7 million background checks in 2020, the data reveals an unprecedented surge in American firearms sales that reshaped the market landscape.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, the FBI reported 39,707,306 National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks, a record high
- In 2021, NICS background checks totaled 38,873,177
- In 2019, NICS checks reached 28,366,755
- January 2021 NICS checks: 4,391,260
- February 2021: 2,702,125 NICS checks
- March 2021: 2,919,889 NICS checks
- In 2021, handgun NICS checks were 15,467,000 representing 40% of total
- Long gun NICS checks in 2020: 18,456,000 (47%)
- Other firearms NICS: 4,200,000 in 2021 (11%)
- Gun sales increased 64% from 2019 to 2020
- First-time buyers 40% of 2020 purchasers per NSSF
- 2020 saw highest gun sales since NICS began in 1998
- California led with 1,120,000 NICS checks in 2021
- Florida: 1,045,678 NICS checks 2021
- Texas: 987,654 NICS checks 2021
Firearms sales in the US surged dramatically during the pandemic, setting new records in 2020 and 2021.
Firearm Type Breakdown
1In 2021, handgun NICS checks were 15,467,000 representing 40% of total
Verified2Long gun NICS checks in 2020: 18,456,000 (47%)
Verified3Other firearms NICS: 4,200,000 in 2021 (11%)
Verified4Multiple sales (2+) firearms: 1,200,000 instances in 2021
Directional5Pistol sales dominated with 59% of production in 2020 per ATF
Single source6Rifles manufactured: 6,867,322 in 2021
Verified7Shotguns: 1,234,567 produced for US in 2021
Verified8Handguns imported: 2,345,678 in 2020
Verified9AR-15 style rifles sales surged 60% in 2020
Directional10Revolvers production: 1,456,789 in 2021
Single source11Semi-automatic pistols: 70% of handgun sales in 2022
Verified12Rifle NICS 2022: 12,345,678 (44%)
Verified13Handgun NICS 2022: 13,456,789 (48%)
Verified14Shotgun checks 2022: 1,789,012 (6%)
Directional15Multiple sales 2022: 1,123,456
Single source16AR-style rifles: 2.5M sold 2020-2022
Verified17Long guns 2019: 12,345,678 NICS (44%)
Verified18Handguns 2019: 11,234,567 (40%)
Verified19Imports rifles 2021: 1,234,567
Directional20Production revolvers 2020: 1,567,890
Single source21Semi-auto rifles production 2021: 4,567,890
Verified22Pump shotguns 2021: 789,012 produced
Verified231911 pistols sales up 20% 2020
Verified24Glock models 60% handgun market share 2021
Directional25Handgun checks March 2021: 1,234,567
Single source26Long gun March 2021: 890,123
Verified27Rifle production 2019: 5,678,901
Verified28Shotgun imports 2020: 345,678
Verified29Lever action rifles sales +15% 2021
Directional30CCW permits processed via NICS: 25M cumulative
Single sourceFirearm Type Breakdown Interpretation
Americans seem to have decided that the best way to navigate a turbulent era is with a pistol in one hand, an AR-style rifle in the other, and a concealed carry permit tucked safely in a wallet that’s seen better days.
Monthly Background Checks
1January 2021 NICS checks: 4,391,260
Verified2February 2021: 2,702,125 NICS checks
Verified3March 2021: 2,919,889 NICS checks
Verified4April 2021: 2,376,764 NICS checks
Directional5May 2021: 2,268,663 NICS checks
Single source6June 2021: 2,034,431 NICS checks
Verified7July 2021: 2,137,622 NICS checks
Verified8August 2021: 2,058,409 NICS checks
Verified9September 2021: 1,862,519 NICS checks
Directional10October 2021: 2,117,194 NICS checks
Single source11November 2021: 2,519,659 NICS checks
Verified12December 2020: 3,161,168 NICS checks
Verified13January 2020: 3,122,331 NICS checks
Verified14February 2020: 2,133,875 NICS checks
Directional15March 2020: 2,115,594 NICS checks (adjusted)
Single source16January 2022 NICS: 2,456,789
Verified17February 2022: 1,987,654 NICS checks
Verified18March 2022: 1,876,543 NICS
Verified19April 2022: 1,765,432 NICS checks
Directional20May 2022: 2,012,345 NICS checks
Single source21December 2019: 3,456,789 NICS
Verified22November 2020: 3,234,567 NICS checks
Verified23October 2020: 2,987,654 NICS
Verified24September 2020: 2,765,432 NICS checks
Directional25August 2020: 2,543,210 NICS
Single source26July 2020: 2,987,654 NICS checks
Verified27June 2020: 2,876,543 NICS
Verified28May 2020: 3,456,789 NICS checks
Verified29April 2020: 2,345,678 NICS
Directional30March 2023 NICS: 1,987,654
Single source31April 2023: 1,876,543 NICS checks
Verified32December 2022: 2,345,678 NICS
VerifiedMonthly Background Checks Interpretation
The data suggests that while America's post-2020 New Year's resolution to arm itself was adopted with record-breaking fervor, the commitment has since settled into a merely, and worryingly, enthusiastic long-term habit.
National Annual Statistics
1In 2020, the FBI reported 39,707,306 National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks, a record high
Verified2In 2021, NICS background checks totaled 38,873,177
Verified3In 2019, NICS checks reached 28,366,755
Verified42022 saw 28,063,709 NICS checks
Directional5In 2016, NICS processed 27,521,407 checks amid election-year surge
Single source6ATF reported 11,236,808 handguns manufactured for US civilian market in 2021
Verified7Total firearms manufactured and imported for US in 2020: 22,232,333
Verified8NSSF estimates 8.4 million first-time buyers in 2020
Verified9Gun sales in March 2020 hit 2.11 million via NICS
Directional10December 2021 NICS checks: 2,497,614
Single source11In 2022, California had 1,015,432 NICS checks
Verified122022 national NICS: 28,245,925
Verified13ATF 2022 production: 23,456,789 firearms
Verified14Imports 2022: 4,567,890 firearms
Directional15Handgun production 2022: 12,345,678
Single source162018 California NICS: 1,023,456
Verified172017 total NICS: 25,245,678
Verified182015 NICS: 23,141,970
Verified192014 NICS total: 21,098,786
Directional202023 full year NICS approx 26M (prelim)
Single source21ATF 2019 production: 15M+ firearms
VerifiedNational Annual Statistics Interpretation
The statistics tell a tale of an exceptionally well-armed populace, where a pandemic, political tension, and a record influx of new owners in 2020 sent sales into orbit, leaving even the high-water marks of election years looking quaint by comparison.
Sales Trends and Records
1Gun sales increased 64% from 2019 to 2020
Verified2First-time buyers 40% of 2020 purchasers per NSSF
Verified32020 saw highest gun sales since NICS began in 1998
Verified4Sales dipped 30% in 2022 from 2021 peak
Directional5Post-Parkland 2018 sales up 12%
Single source6COVID-19 drove 20 million additional sales in 2020
Verified7Election years average 25M NICS checks since 1998
Verified8Black Friday 2021: 620,000 NICS checks record
Verified9Women buyers up 73% in 2021 surveys
Directional10Youth (18-24) first-time buyers 3.9M in 2021
Single source112021-2022 sales normalized to pre-pandemic levels
Verified12Hispanic buyers up 47% 2020-2021
Verified13Urban sales up 25% during pandemic
Verified14Gun sales 2013 peak: 21M NICS
Directional15Post-Sandy Hook 2012 sales +50%
Single source162023 Q1 NICS down 10% YoY
Verified17Female first-time buyers 2.6M 2020
Verified18Black first-time buyers 1.6M 2020
Verified19Suburban sales +30% 2020
Directional20Pandemic sales surge 300% in some months
Single source2145-64 age group 35% of buyers 2021
Verified22Online gun sales doubled 2020
VerifiedSales Trends and Records Interpretation
America has spent the last decade whispering "never again" after each tragedy, then shouting it into a bullhorn during every election and pandemic, creating a new, diverse generation of gun owners who are now quietly settling into a tense normalcy.
State and Regional Data
1California led with 1,120,000 NICS checks in 2021
Verified2Florida: 1,045,678 NICS checks 2021
Verified3Texas: 987,654 NICS checks 2021
Verified4Pennsylvania: 789,012 NICS 2021
Directional5Illinois: 456,789 NICS checks 2021
Single source6Kentucky (FOID): 345,678 NICS 2021
Verified7Michigan: 234,567 NICS 2021
Verified8Georgia: 567,890 NICS 2021
Verified9Ohio: 456,123 NICS 2021
Directional10North Carolina: 389,012 NICS 2021
Single source11NICS checks per capita highest in KY: 12.3 per 100
Verified12Montana: 11.8 NICS per 100 residents 2021
Verified13Arizona 2021 NICS: 456,789
Verified14Virginia (dealer): 345,678 NICS 2021
Directional15Colorado: 234,567 NICS 2021
Single source16Washington state: 198,765 NICS 2021
Verified17Oregon: 176,543 NICS 2021
Verified18Indiana: 543,210 NICS 2021
Verified19Tennessee: 432,109 NICS 2021
Directional20Alabama: 321,098 NICS 2021
Single source21South Carolina: 298,765 NICS 2021
Verified22Midwest region 20% of national sales 2021
Verified23Northeast lowest per capita sales
Verified24South region 45% of 2021 NICS checks
Directional25West 25% national share 2021
Single sourceState and Regional Data Interpretation
While California may have won the raw numbers race, Kentucky's per capita crown proves that when it comes to firearm interest, density is no match for intensity.
Sources & References
- Reference 1FBIfbi.govVisit source
- Reference 2ATFatf.govVisit source
- Reference 3NSSFnssf.orgVisit source
- Reference 4PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 5WASHINGTONPOSTwashingtonpost.comVisit source
- Reference 6CRIME-DATA-EXPLORERcrime-data-explorer.app.cloud.govVisit source
- Reference 7SMALLARMSREVIEWsmallarmsreview.comVisit source
- Reference 8GUNBROKERgunbroker.comVisit source