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.
Virginia Special Session Next Week on Gun Control Urge Your State Delegate and State Senator to Oppose Gov. Northam’s Anti-Gun Measures
NSSF® sent a letter to all members of the Virginia General Assembly outlining our strong opposition to all of the gun control measures suggested by Gov. Northam. Additionally, our letter included the real solutions undertaken by NSSF, on behalf of the firearms industry, to help create safer communities. NSSF will be in Richmond next Tuesday as the special session takes place.
These proposals are nothing more than a laundry list of Michael Bloomberg-inspired gun control that will do nothing to make Virginians any safer. The Governor has even admitted that none of his gun control proposals for which he’s called this special session for would have prevented the tragedy that took place in Virginia Beach.
It is critical that you contact your state delegate and state senator immediately, and respectfully urge him or her to oppose any gun control measures that come before the Virginia General Assembly during Gov. Northam’s special session.
Use NSSF’s Legislative Action Center to find out who represents you in the Virginia General Assembly. Once you input your information, scroll down to “State of Territory.”
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