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 2022, a total of 89,012.28 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 2022, by state
Characteristic
Number of background checks per 100,000 residents
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Exclusive Premium Statistic
To access all Premium Statistics, you need a paid Statista Account
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.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
US Census Bureau, & FBI. (January 1, 2023). Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2022, by state [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 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 2022, by state." Chart. January 1, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 22, 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. (2023). Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2022, by state. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 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 2022, by State." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Jan 2023, 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 2022, 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 July 22, 2024)
Number of background checks done by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) per 100,000 residents in the United States in 2022, by state [Graph], US Census Bureau, & FBI, January 1, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
