by The National Shooting Sports Foundation has released their adjusted-NICS check statistics for February. Contrary to what I thought might happen, February 2013 checks were up 29.1% over the same period in 2012.
The February 2013 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,634,309 is an increase of 29.1 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,266,344
in February 2012. For comparison, the unadjusted February 2013 NICS
figure of 2,298,561 reflects a 32.5 percent increase from the unadjusted
NICS figure of 1,734,646 in February 2012.
This marks the 33rd straight month with increases in NSSF-adjusted NICS checks over the same period in the prior year.
I had thought perhaps low inventories might have broken this string of increases but obviously not. In retrospect, visits to both small and large gun shops in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina should have told me that. In the early part of February I visited two small gun stores in the Kernersville area that were packed even though the inventory was down. I also visited the Winston-Salem Gander Mountain which actually had a decent inventory. That store was also crowded.
As always, it should be noted that there is not a direct correlation between NICS checks and gun sales. This is because a few states such as Kentucky and Iowa use the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for CCW purposes. Moreover, in a number of states such as North Carolina, a concealed carry permit is accepted as a substitute for a NICS check.
I was looking at a pistol I really wanted and had the NICS check run. I didn't get the pistol even after passing the check. I wonder how often that happens? I felt bad about having the check run and not buying the gun from them so I did buy a lot of shells and spent an inordinate amount of time on their range. I'm still wanting that pistol though.
About 10% of checks do not result in sales for various reasons, such as deciding not to purchase, wait time was too long, etc.
But a large number of people have concealed carry licenses now, and it's growing, and they do not have to have a check since they passed one to get or renew their license. It's estimated that over 125 million new guns have been sold in the last decade and a half.