Raw data from the FBI’s National Instant Check System shows October 2024 had the sixth highest number of initiated background checks for any October in history, although based on data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation actual gun sales declined from the same month in 2023, according to Guns.com.
The NSSF-adjusted NICS numbers—eliminating checks for gun permit renewals and re-checks—indicates 1,302,857 checks were conducted in relation to a firearm transaction.
As noted by The Reload, last month showed a five percent decline in gun sale-related NICS checks from October 2023.
Mark Oliva, managing director of public affairs for NSSF noted in a statement, “Lawful gun ownership continues to be an important factor as Americans cast their ballots for the 2024 elections. Over 1.3 million background checks were conducted for the retail sale of a firearm in October, extending the streak of over 1 million background checks each month for 63 continuous months. Law-abiding Americans – by the tens of millions – are quite literally voting with their wallets and investing in their rights. These figures tell elected officials where America stands on support for the Second Amendment.”
As explained by NSSF, the October NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,302.857 is a decrease of 5.0 percent compared to the October 2023 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,370,719. For comparison, the unadjusted October 2024 FBI NICS figure 2,298,383 reflects a 4.7 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,194,313 in October 2023.
What does this all mean? It does not appear Americans were storming the doors of local gun stores in anticipation of the election, but it does show continued interest in gun ownership.
“October 2024 marks the 63rd month in a row that has exceeded 1 million adjusted background checks in a single month,” the NSSF said in a news release. “Twenty-four 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.”
Though not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide an additional picture of current market conditions, the group explained. In addition to other purposes, NICS is used to check transactions for sales or transfers of new or used firearms.
