The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background checks are used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms or explosives. In 2023, a total of 81,434.33 background checks per 100,000 residents were registered by the FBI in Kentucky - the most out of any state.
Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents 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.
Population data based on the Census 2022 Population Estimates.
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US Census Bureau, & FBI. (January 1, 2024). Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2023, by state [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
US Census Bureau, und FBI. "Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2023, by state." Chart. January 1, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
US Census Bureau, FBI. (2024). Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2023, by state. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
US Census Bureau, and FBI. "Number of Background Checks Done by The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (Nics) per 100,000 Residents in The United States in 2023, by State." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
US Census Bureau & FBI, Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2023, by state Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/ (last visited December 30, 2024)
Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2023, by state [Graph], US Census Bureau, & FBI, January 1, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
