September’s 1.1 Million Gun Sales Show Steady Demand

More than 1.1 million adjusted NICS background checks were conducted in September 2025 for firearm sales, marking a 2% increase over last year’s figures.

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the data shows that Americans’ interest in exercising their Second Amendment rights remains strong and steady.

Mark Oliva, NSSF’s managing director of public affairs, called the numbers “encouraging” and pointed out that September traditionally marks the start of many hunting seasons across the country.

“It reflects a steady interest by law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” Oliva said. “It’s a matter of pride for our industry that Americans from all walks of life trust their safety and their treasured pastimes to the products our industry provides.”

While the FBI’s unadjusted NICS data showed a 10.3% decrease from September 2024, NSSF’s adjusted figures provide a clearer view of retail firearm sales by excluding checks for permits and rechecks. The NSSF-adjusted total of 1,179,424 reflects consistent, ongoing consumer demand across the firearm marketplace.

• Overall Adjusted NICS: TX, FL, CA, PA, CO
• Handgun Checks: TX, FL, CA, PA, TN
• Long Gun Checks: TX, CA, PA, FL, TN

The third quarter of 2025 logged 3,249,497 adjusted checks, down 5.7% compared to the same period in 2024. Still, that’s a solid number as hunters gear up for the fall season and firearm sales remain above pre-pandemic levels.

Twenty-eight states now operate under qualified alternative permit systems that allow approved permit holders to purchase firearms without a separate NICS check — a factor that slightly reduces the total NICS count while keeping legal firearm transfers moving efficiently.

Though NICS checks don’t equal total gun sales one-to-one, they’re one of the best indicators of America’s enduring demand for firearms — whether for protection, hunting, or sport shooting.

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