The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) data for June 2026, providing another snapshot of firearms market activity as the industry heads into the heart of the summer purchasing season.
Number
The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure for June 2026 is 1,123,006, which represents an increase of 11.7 per cent compared to the adjusted figure for June 2025 of 1,004,986. For comparison, the unadjusted FBI NICS figure for June 2026 was 1,886,539, representing a 1.2 percent decrease from the 1,909,294 background checks recorded in June 2025.
The difference between these figures comes from how the numbers are calculated. The raw FBI totals include permit checks and administrative questions that do not necessarily represent firearm purchases. The NSSF-adjusted figures exclude those investigations to better reflect potential retail gun sales activity.
NFA checks continue to rise
As part of its expanded reporting for 2026, NSSF continues to track monthly National Firearms Act (NFA) background checks associated with Form 1 and Form 4 submissions. These data provide additional information about demand for suppressors and other NFA-regulated items.
The NFA figure reached 166,677 checks in June 2026, representing an increase of 177.1 per cent from 60,147 checks recorded in June 2025.
Top 5 States for NFA Check – June 2026
- Texas – 23,133
- Virginia – 18,235
- Florida – 11,782
- North Carolina – 6,785
- Georgia – 6,711
States leading in background checks
States with highest number adjusted nics check In June there were:
- texas
- Florida
- Virginia
- California
- pennsylvania
The top states for FBI handgun investigations were Texas, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania and California. Meanwhile, the leading states for FBI long gun investigations were Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, and Florida.
reminder
Twenty-eight states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit that allows the permit holder – who has already passed a background check – to purchase a gun from a licensed dealer without undergoing a separate NICS check for that transaction. Because of this, firearm transfers made using those permits are not reflected in the NICS totals, and the NSSF does not adjust its figures for those sales.
Adjusted NICS data is obtained by subtracting the permit checks and permit rechecks that it uses for concealed carry permit applications and database maintenance. The NSSF began subtracting permit rechecks from the adjusted total in February 2016.
Although not directly related to firearm sales, NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide an additional indicator of market conditions. It is also important to remember that these figures represent background checks initiated through NICS, not the total number of firearms sold. Depending on state laws and purchasing scenarios, there is not always a one-to-one relationship between background checks and gun sales.
zoom out
June posted the strongest year-over-year increase in adjusted NICS background checks so far in 2026, with an 11.7 percent increase compared to the same month last year. While the raw FBI totals were nearly flat, declining only 1.2 percent, the adjusted figures suggest healthy consumer demand in the second half of the year. NFA activity also remained exceptionally strong, with background checks up 177.1 percent year-over-year, driving continued interest in suppressors and other regulated items in the nation’s largest gun markets. You’ll notice that Virginia was the leader in several categories. This is a direct response to pending statewide stricter-level firearms restrictions. Fortunately, a Virginia circuit judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of these laws, which were scheduled to take effect in July.
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corey ross
Corey Ross worked in the firearms industry for about 13 years before turning to writing full-time. During that period, he has had the privilege of working with and building relationships with some incredible people and companies. He also completed a Master of Arts in History from Cleveland State University, where he focused on American imperialism. While he loves shooting and all things firearm, his other hobbies include training, gear, reading, films, and watches. He contributes to numerous other publications, including Outdoor Hub, The MDT Blog, Athlon Properties, Guns & Ammo Precision Rifle Shooter, Book of the AR-15, Shooting Times, Safariland Cadre Dispatch, The Armory Life, and Shooting News Weekly.
