Firearm sales for the month of September were up 2 percent according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) monthly estimate, which is based on adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) volume. The figure is a widely accepted barometer of industry health.
Total sales, according to NSSF, came in at 1,179,424. That figure reflects an increase of two percent compared to September 2024, when the number was roughly 1,156,223. Despite the increase in firearm sales, the total NICS volume last month—including carry permit applications, renewals and other administrative use of the system—came in at 1,858,763. That is a 10.3-percent decrease compared to September 2024.
NSSF notes its estimate is likely well below actual sales due to the 28 states that currently have at least one qualified alternative permit. Under the Brady Act they allow a permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer. The number of NICS checks in these states does not include these legal transfers based on qualifying permits. NSSF does not adjust for these transfers.
The upswing is welcome news for retailers and manufacturers. For the third quarter of this year, NSSF estimates 3,249,497 guns were sold nationwide. That number reflects a decrease of 5.7 percent when compared to the third quarter of 2024 when purchases came to 3,432,008.
That three-month decline, however, was partly fueled by a slowdown in July that saw firearm sales figures drop below one million for the first time in nearly six years. In August gun sales again hit the seven figure mark, but still failed to reach 2024 numbers.
States that led the way in fueling last month’s return to strong sales include, in descending order, Texas, Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Colorado.
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