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.
Citation formats
NICS background checks performed in the U.S. 1998-2023
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 **** million background checks were registered by the FBI -- a decrease from the previous year.
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FBI. (April 30, 2024). Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 04, 2026, from /statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
FBI. "Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023." Chart. April 30, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 04, 2026. /statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
FBI. (2024). Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 04, 2026. /statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
FBI. "Number of Background Checks Performed by The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (Nics) in The United States from 1998 to 2023." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 30 Apr 2024, /statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
FBI, Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/ (last visited August 04, 2026)
Number of background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in the United States from 1998 to 2023 [Graph], FBI, April 30, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/249670/number-of-background-checks-done-by-the-nics-in-the-us/
