Firearm Sales Background Checks Up 12% in August

Firearm Sales Background Checks Up 12% in August

NICS Gun Buyer Background Checks Aug 2009
NICS Gun Buyer Background Checks Aug 2009
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Shooting Sports Foundation

Newtown, CT –-(AmmoLand.com)- Background checks on the sale of firearms were up 12.3 percent in August, according to data released by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

A total of 1,074,757 checks were reported for the month, up from 956,872 in August 2008. FBI background checks are required under federal law for all individuals purchasing either newly manufactured or used firearms from federally licensed retailers.

As such, the checks serve as a gauge of sales but do not reflect the actual number of firearms produced or sold.

The increase coincides with a rise in excise taxes reported by firearms and ammunition manufacturers, another key economic indicator for the firearms industry.

About:
Formed in 1961, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports.