NICS background check rate in the U.S., by state 2022

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background checks are used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms or explosives. In 2022, a total of 89,012.28 background checks per 100,000 residents were registered by the FBI in Kentucky - the most out of any state.

Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2022, by state

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Release date

January 2023

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

2022

Supplementary notes

NICS is used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms or explosives. Before ringing up the sale, cashiers call in a check to the FBI or to other designated agencies to ensure that each customer does not have a criminal record or isn’t otherwise ineligible to make a purchase.
This number does not represent the number of firearms sold in the U.S. Based on varying state laws and purchase scenarios, a one-to-one correlation cannot be made between a firearm background check and a firearm sale.
Population data based on the Census 2022 Population Estimates.

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