In 2023, around 3.96 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 2023, by state
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, 2024). Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2023, by state [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 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 2023, by state." Chart. January 1, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/
FBI. (2024). Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2023, by state. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 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 2023, by State." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Jan 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 2023, by state Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States in 2023, by state [Graph], FBI, January 1, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/249687/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us-by-state/
