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
Characteristic
Number of background checks per 100,000 residents
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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 .
Citation formats
NICS background check rate per 100,000 residents 2023, by state
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 **** background checks per 100,000 residents were registered by the FBI in Kentucky - the most out of any state.
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U.S. 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 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 04, 2026, from /statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
U.S. 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. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 04, 2026. /statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
U.S. 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. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 04, 2026. /statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
U.S. 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." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 1 Jan 2024, /statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
U.S. 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 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/ (last visited August 04, 2026)
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], U.S. Census Bureau, & FBI, January 1, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/249699/number-of-nics-background-checks-per-100-000-residents-in-the-us-by-state/
