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 2023, a total of 29.9 million background checks were registered by the FBI -- a decrease from the previous year.
Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023
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.
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FBI. (April 30, 2024). Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 03, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
FBI. "Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023." Chart. April 30, 2024. Statista. Accessed October 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
FBI. (2024). Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
FBI. "Number of Background Checks Performed by The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (Nics) in The United States from 1998 to 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Apr 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
FBI, Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/ (last visited October 03, 2024)
Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023 [Graph], FBI, April 30, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
