Fear & Loading: NICS Up, But Are Sales New or Used?

posted on August 15, 2019
** 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. **
nics_new-or-used.jpg

The number of requests processed through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in July reflect a slight increase in gun purchases, although at least one major gun company reports its sales figures indicate the widely reported increase may be indicative of transfers of used, not new, firearms. Overall, Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) estimates the month’s total firearm purchases were 858,342, a roughly a 0.2 percent increase when compared to a year ago. The results come on the heels of similarly modest increases experienced in May and June.

Total volume of NICS check performed in July came in at 2,030,661, the second highest for the month since the system began operation in 1998. July 2016 saw the system used 2,197,169 times. The raw figures, however, include concealed carry applications, renewals and other administrative use, volume that must be backed out for a more accurate glimpse of the industry’s overall health.

SAAF estimates that single handgun sales increased by 1.6 percent in July, compared to the same month in 2018. Long guns, however, dropped by 3.4 percent in the same periods. The organization’s findings indicate total purchases were 295,656 and 72,293, respectively.

As for annual sales, SAAF Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer indicated, “Year-to-date sales run about 360,000 units below those of 2018 (7.43 million vs 7.79 million) suggesting that the so-called Trump Slump does continue in 2019. This is true even of handgun sales, which since 2014 have consistently exceeded long-gun sales.”

Manufacturers are also feeling the effect of Sportsco Holdings—a major firearm distributor in business since the Great Depression—filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June. The impact on the industry is sizeable, as Reuters news service explained, “The company, whose units including Ellett Brothers serve 20,000 retailers in all 50 states.”

Latest

Colt-Burgess Rifle
Colt-Burgess Rifle

I Have This Old Gun: Colt-Burgess Rifle

There was a time when firearm manufacturers were primarily known for producing only one specific type of gun. In fact, their fame, reputations and, often, their fortunes hinged upon it.

2026 NRA Youth Education Summit Applications Open

Applications are now open for the 2026 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.), an all-expenses-paid, six-day leadership and scholarship program for rising high school juniors and seniors.

The Rifleman Report: The Misrepresented Armed Citizen

Despite what mainstream news outlets would have us believe, most armed citizens are thoughtful, deliberate, responsible Americans whose foremost concerns are the well-being of themselves and their families.

First Breach Ammunition Factory Tour

An ambitious and technically savvy startup embarks on the goal to bring match-grade cartridges to the market at an enviable price—all made in America.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 27, 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.

The Development of MIM Cartridge Cases

We recently caught up with Concurrent Technologies to learn more about its latest advancements in metal injection molding (MIM) as it pertains to cartridge case manufacturing.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.