In 2022, around 4.47 million firearm background checks were registered by the FBI in Illinois, the most out of any state. The NICS background checks are used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms or explosives.
Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2022, by state
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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. (January 1, 2023). Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2022, by state [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/
FBI. "Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2022, by state." Chart. January 1, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/
FBI. (2023). Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2022, by state. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/
FBI. "Number of Background Checks Done by The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (Nics) in The United States in 2022, by State." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Jan 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/
FBI, Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2022, by state Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2022, by state [Graph], FBI, January 1, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/