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. Recently, the states of Alabama and Michigan had law changes that affected their Brady Law standing which removed qualifying alternate permits usage for firearm transactions. These changes went into effect July 22, 2019 for Alabama, and March 3, 2020 for Michigan. In May 2020, Alabama state’s NSSF-adjusted NICS was 298.0 percent higher than May 2019, which accounts for an additional 38,877 checks over this time last year. May 2020 NICS numbers for Michigan were up 297.5% over May 2019 and account for an additional 48,097 checks.
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.
Louisiana House Overwhelmingly Approves Firearms Industry Protection Legislation
HB 413 Would Protect Industry Businesses from Financial Discrimination
The Louisiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 413 with bipartisan support yesterday by a vote of 66 to 28. Sponsored by Louisiana state Rep. Blake Miguez and strongly backed by NSSF, HB 413 would protect businesses in the firearms industry from blatant discrimination by those in the financial sector by prohibiting financial service providers from refusing service, or discontinuing service, to those in the firearms industry solely because they are involved in the lawful commerce of firearms or ammunition products. HB 413 will now go to the Louisiana Senate for committee referral and consideration.
Specifically, the language HB 413 states: “…A bank, credit union, financial institution, payment processor, savings and loan association, or trust company shall not refuse to provide financial services of any kind to, refrain from continuing to provide existing financial services to, terminate existing financial services with, or otherwise discriminate in the provision of financial services against a person or trade association solely because a person or trade association is engaged in the lawful commerce, purchase, sale, or manufacture of firearms or ammunition products … or the servicing of, renting of, provision of training relative to, or provision of a facility designed for qualifications, training, or practice relative to firearms or ammunition products, or is a trade association...”
While the firearms industry respects the right of financial institutions and other service providers to make business decisions based on objective criteria, it is unacceptable to discriminate against businesses simply because they are engaged in the lawful commerce of firearms, a heavily-regulated activity protected by the Second Amendment. NSSF commends Rep. Miguez for bringing this important legislation forward, as well as those in the Louisiana House who voted in favor of HB 413.
NSSF will keep you updated as HB 413 receives a committee referral and hearing in the Louisiana Senate.
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