The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figures for May 2026, providing another look at firearms market activity as the industry approaches the summer purchasing season.
Number
The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,105,758 for May 2026 represents an increase of 3.2 per cent compared to the adjusted figure of 1,071,685 for May 2025. For comparison, the unadjusted FBI NICS figure for May 2026 was 1,780,230, representing a 10.9 percent decrease from the 1,998,440 background checks recorded in May 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 Check continues strong performance
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 146,551 checks in May 2026, which is 100.4 percent more than the 73,138 checks recorded in May 2025.
Top 5 States for NFA Check – May 2026
- Texas – 21,377
- Virginia – 12,550
- Florida – 10,418
- Georgia – 6,352
- North Carolina – 5,921
States leading in background checks
The states with the highest adjusted NICS checks in May were:
- texas
- Florida
- California
- Virginia
- pennsylvania
The top states for FBI handgun investigations were Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, California and Virginia. Meanwhile, the leading states for FBI long gun investigations were Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, and California.
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. As a result, 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 are obtained by subtracting permit checks and permit rechecks that account for concealed-carry permit applications and database maintenance. The NSSF began subtracting permit rechecks from the adjusted total in February 2016.
Although not a direct measure of firearm sales, NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide an additional indicator of market conditions. It is also important to remember that these figures reflect 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
The adjusted figures for May continued the positive trend seen throughout most of 2026, recording the largest year-on-year increase since February. While the raw FBI total remained down from the same month last year, the adjusted figures point to steady consumer demand in the summer months. NFA investigations also remained exceptionally strong, doubling year-over-year and underscoring continued interest in suppressors and other regulated items in major gun markets.
Worth noting is that Virginia ranked high in this month’s checks. Stricter gun laws are pending in the state that would take effect on July 1.scheduled tribe. Many citizens are preparing for that change with their own pockets. I feel for all our fellow patriots in the Old Dominion.
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Source:
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.
