How Many Is 3 Million? December NICS Checks, To Start

by
posted on January 5, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg (1)

More than 3 million NICS checks conducted in December helped elevate 2015 to an all-new gun sales record. Those numbers are lofty, so to put things in perspective for your watercooler conversations today, here are some other things that amount to roughly 3 million. 

City: Chicago’s population

State: Number of people in Utah

Country: Population in Kuwait

Celebrations: Attendees at November’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

Victims: Polish Christians killed during the Holocaust

Serving: Members of the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II

Banking: Estimated annual earnings of Ronda Rousey

Working: Workers worldwide who telecommute at least part time

Educating: Public school teachers in the United States

NICS Checks: 3,314,594 law-abiding citizens underwent a NICS background check in December, elevating 2015’s annual total to record-shattering 23,141,970—roughly the number of jobs created by women-owned companies in the U.S. 

Latest

Winchester Model 54
Winchester Model 54

Favorite Firearms: A Winchester Model 54 Turns 100

Serving during World War I in 1918, my father completed two years in the Engineer Corps. In addition to his engineering duties, he and all the other soldiers had to carry and qualify with the Model 1903 Springfield rifle, since they were often on the front lines.

Winchester Ammunition Opens New Office In Missouri

Winchester Ammunition opened a new office in Clayton, Mo., which will accommodate much of the company's full-time administrative staff and is located several hours away from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

Searching For The Perfect Single-Action Revolver

Bitten by the cowboy handgun bug early on—and influenced by no less an innovator than Elmer Keith—the author finds that, in the search for the ultimate single-action revolver, perfection is an elusive target.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 15, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Auto-Ordnance Remembers Iwo Jima Fallen With Special M1 Carbine

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Auto-Ordnance teamed up with Altered Arsenal to create a specially crafted version of the M1 carbine.

Preview: The Ruger 10/22 Complete Owner’s And Assembly Guide

Scott Duff Publications is renowned for its authoritative titles containing detailed information on iconic military and commercial firearms.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.