Gun Sales Stay Hot as May Background Checks Top 1.1 Million

If anyone thought Americans were done buying guns in 2026, the latest background check numbers suggest otherwise.

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The National Shooting Sports Foundation reported that its adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure reached 1,105,758 in May, marking a 3.2% increase over May 2025’s total of 1,071,685.

In plain English: more than 1.1 million firearm purchase-related background checks were conducted last month.

And that’s before you factor in permit holders in many states who can legally purchase firearms without generating an additional NICS check.

One of the biggest eye-openers in May’s data wasn’t traditional firearm purchases. It was NFA activity.

NSSF reported 146,551 NFA-related background checks in May 2026, up a staggering 100.4% from the 73,138 recorded during the same month last year.

That’s not a typo. NFA checks literally doubled. The top five states for NFA-related checks were:

1. Texas – 21,377
2. Virginia – 12,550
3. Florida – 10,418
4. Georgia – 6,352
5. North Carolina – 5,921

Considering the recent elimination of the $200 transfer tax on suppressors and other NFA-regulated items, it’s not exactly shocking to see interest surging.

If one state stands out above all others, it’s Virginia.

According to NSSF Managing Director of Public Affairs Mark Oliva, Virginia recorded 74,959 background checks in May, a whopping 103% increase over the same month last year.

And NSSF doesn’t think that’s an accident. Oliva directly connected the spike to Virginia’s incoming semiautomatic rifle ban signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger.

It’s not coincidental that firearm sales are skyrocketing in the Old Dominion at the same time that Governor Abigail Spanberger put a deadline for Virginians to legally purchase a Modern Sporting Rifle,” Oliva said.

In other words, many buyers appear to be getting their purchases in before July 1.

Looking at overall activity, Texas remained king of the mountain. The Lone Star State led the nation in adjusted NICS checks, handgun checks, and NFA checks.

The top five states for adjusted NICS checks were:

• Texas
• Florida
• California
• Virginia
• Pennsylvania

For handgun checks, the top five were:

• Texas
• Florida
• Pennsylvania
• California
• Virginia

And for long gun checks:

• Texas
• Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• Florida
• California

As NSSF always points out, background checks don’t directly equal firearm sales.

One check can cover multiple firearms, while some purchases occur through alternative permit systems that don’t generate a NICS transaction at all.

Still, the trend line is hard to miss. More than 1.1 million adjusted background checks. NFA activity up 100%. Virginia buyers rushing ahead of a looming ban.

For an industry that keeps hearing demand is slowing, the numbers are telling a very different story.

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