NICS Gun Sales Down 10%, Still More than 1 Million Guns Sold

AmmoLand ^ | September 8, 2025 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

In August 2025, the adjusted National Instant background Check System (NICS), as computed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), showed approximate firearm sales of a bit over a million, down about 10% from sales in August 2024. NICS checks, which can be used for other things besides firearm sales, dropped more than 19%.  In the last twelve months, only September 2024 and January 2025 showed more adjusted checks than the month from a year earlier. Both months showed only a small increase.

Except for January 2025, all of the months in the second Trump administration show fewer adjusted NICS background checks than the month from a year previous. This may be considered a “Trump Slump”.

Looking at August in the years in which President Trump has been in office, the total adjusted NICS checks for the year are similar, except for 2020. 2020 was a presidential election year in which all stops were pulled out in order to prevent a second term for President Trump.  This raised the fear level of a Biden presidency and incentivized more people to purchase firearms. President Trump has openly courted gun owners and Second Amendment advocates.

The fear of a Biden administration was justified, but the courts tempered it. The Biden administration’s war on the Second Amendment kept sales above Trumpian levels in 2021 and 2022. They dipped in 2023 and recovered a bit in 2024.

The number of people who are interested in owning firearms and those who advocate for a restoration of Second Amendment rights varies somewhat with time.  Of that number, those who support President Trump likely outnumber those who support the Democratic Party by three to one or more.

[marktwain]

A 10% drop in sales is not huge, but it puts pressure on prices. There are many manufacturers in the firearms industry. Those who have been improvident or unlucky will be forced out.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The data released a year from now will be interesting what with innocents like Iryna, Charlie and church kids being slaughtered everyday.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

And “armed queers” on the loose.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

NICS is an abomination.

It, of course, obviously did nothing to save Charlie Kirk’s life from a murderer.

[PGalt]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

[larrytown]

There’s only so much room in the canoe.

[CenTex]

My gun safe is literally full and overflowing. My latest acquisition had to take a number for the next vacancy. It is waiting patiently by my side....

[Georgia Girl 2]

Most people already have a gun or 12 guns by now. Fear purchasing during Obama and Biden has likely got most people stocked up.

[ridesthemiles]

THE NUMBERS FOR SEPT AFTER THE MURDER OF CHARLIE WILL ASTONISH EVERYONE, IMO.