Midsouth Shooters Supply has previously reported that Black Friday 2015 broke gun-sales records, and now totals for the year are in, and based on FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System background-check volume, more
guns were sold in 2015 than in any previous year in American history. More than 23 million checks were processed through NICS in 2015 — that’s 2 million more than the previous record of 21 million NICS checks in 2013.
The FBI NICS total for 2015 was 23,141,970. In December 2015 alone, the FBI conducted 3,314,594 checks, an increase of more than half a million over the previous single-month record set in December 2012.
Also, the months of May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December in 2015 each set monthly sales records.
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.
Commenters on our blog have said that threats to gun rights by politicians and the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California drove gun and ammunition sales.
“A day has not gone by without a major media assault on gun rights or an Obama administration call for new additional restrictions on gun ownership,” said Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation to the Washington Free Beacon website. “Americans have voted with their dollars and bought record levels of guns and ammunition.”
Despite the record NICS numbers, 2015 may be only the second-best gun-sales year ever. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) publishes its own interpretation of raw NICS numbers. NSSF is the actual trade association for the firearms industry in this country, representation many people wrongly attribute to the NRA.
NSSF generates its own adjusted NICS data, which are derived by subtracting out NICS purpose-code permit checks used by several states such as Connecticut, Illinois, and Utah for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases.
Using NSSF’s adjustments, 2012 is still the all-time sales-record year, with 14.8 million checks, followed by 2015’s 14.2 million total.
On a monthly basis, the December 2015 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 2,235,560 is an increase of 37.6 percent compared to the December 2014 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,624,524.
For comparison, the unadjusted December 2015 FBI NICS figure of 3,308,199 reflects a 43.7 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,301,386 in December 2014.
If you helped set the record, will you tell us why? Great deals? Somebody had just what you were looking for? Might be your last chance to buy a gun in your state?
Purchased target pistol to compete in league.
Retired Army infantry combat veteran. Also retired muninicipal police officer. Been around guns, good and bad people most of my life. I fear nothing but the over-reaching government and bureaucrats that make their own laws and regulations that they’re not entitled. When the government fears the citizens who are armed, we’ll have a democratic society and a republic form of government again. We’re living amidst political traitors who want to remove/confiscate your weapons and eliminate any armed opposition to a further oppressive government.
Yea you can tell how successful the confiscation is going . Every one is out replacing their weapons.
Almost identical background as Fast Shooter and also retired as well. In addition to what Fast Shooter stated about the over-reach of government, the world is increasingly becoming more dangerous and the current administration and specifically Barack Obama is the biggest divider of this great nation’s citizens. I buy for myself and my sons and daughters and make sure they know how to properly shoot weapons. I am also involved in personal regular target shooting for accuracy and some competitive shooting. Given the demand on local Police Departments, there will not be a space of time awaiting help should it become necessary to defend myself, my family or my neighbors. Based upon my background and tactical training, I am fully prepared to do what must be done to neutralize any threat.
Couldn’t agree more. Politicians looking to promote their careers with more “Feel-Good” legislation that is legally ineffective.
If existing gun laws are not being enforced its brcausrvthecRepublicsns are not ginding enough money into the Federal budget for it! Blame the Republicans because they control the money to pay for gun law enforcement
OMG……do you actually mean these guns were bought with real background checks!! So they do work and Obama has been lying to us all AGAIN!!! I find that hard to believe…..actually I knew he was going to lie even before he began he bull. Very Very Very little of what he said was even close to the truth. Anderson Cooper even caught him in a couple of them.
In my state you also need to complete pass the NICS background check when you renew your carry permit. Includeded above?
What part of ” shall not be infringed ” does the govt not understand? All dictators know they must take up guns to fully implement their agenda. The 2nd amendment has nothing to do with hunting or target shooting, it has everything to do with the tyrannical govt we have now. Our founding fathers knew all about ” Deterrent ” that is why we have the 2nd amendment , the U.S govt uses ” Nuclear deterrent ” the same way but no one talks about the U.S giving up their nukes? If this happened then all our enemies would be subject to picking on us and threatening us just like our govt is doing to ” We the people” now! We the people must have weapons that are similar to what could and would be brought against us. Otherwise there is no balance between we the people and its government. If the people are limited to single shot rifles that shoot projectiles made out of soft metals like we have now, not only will there not be a balance of power , we would be reluctant to stand for our rights!
It’s perfectly clear as to why 2015 broke records for gun sales.
Every time a liberal democrat opens their mouth it’s to literally CRY for more gun laws. This drives people to realize that if you don’t get it now you will NEVER get it latter. I look at 2016 to break another record.
Because you can’t trust the government. They will only cover their own asses. It mind over matter, they don’t mind because we don’t matter!!
Bought new firearms in order to teach my kids how to shoot, to add to my collection, and for home/self defense. 2 nd generation Army and a Southerner so grew up around guns and want my kids to also have this experience.
Bought 2 long guns because it my legal right never can have
too many
Some people climb mountains, some race cars, some collect stamps, some play music, etc.
I buy and shoot guns. Tell me what the difference is? I am armed at all times as is my family because there are bad guys who care less about anything. I own & carry because I think our leadership is corrupt via left wing people and backers like George Soros, the Clintons, Obama. Do I panic & go buy more because of Obama’s rules? Nope. But I would if I were you & you don’t have already. We also have a Biblical plague coming for us & I will protect my family & country against that.
I keep buying firearms looking for the online site & gun show that will just send them to my home with no nics check. NO LUCK YET!
Just the normal trading, prez zero is just spouting the party line, how can people keep electing such bozo’s is amazing to me.
We don’t have a choice, 16 idiots, 3 socialists and one anything goes.
America is a dying country, unless patriots rally. We need a call to action, saddling our children with 20 trillion in debt trying to save the world, I thought cleaning the House and Senate would do some good but we elected carreer politicians not people who will fight for our rights.
No firearms for me last year…
I did another airgun rifle to the collection and also an airgun pistol.
Probably will add a couple of new firearms to the collection before Obama leaves office…
I purchased 7 guns in 2015. Two rifles for deer hunting, two shotguns for home defense, a 22 lever action for fun and another 357 for home defense and personal carry. I reside in North Carolina and exercise my right to open carry.
Because it is my Constitutional Right, and I was going for my CHL.
Mmmm last gun? A Sig 938. Already owned two other Sigs, P226 & M11A1… All in 9mm. But why the 938? Cause I bought my bride a Sig 238 ( her first gun ) for Christmas. After 46 years of marital bliss she told our daughter she felt ” left out” because the daughter, her husband, our son, and this older fella were going to class early 2015 to become conceal carry worthy. Fun part of the qualification; Bride had better shoot score. Better…yep cause I broke a rule…focus.. Was paying attention to wife shooting.