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May 2026 NICS Checks Show Gun Demand Rising as NFA Numbers Surge
AmmoLand ^ | June 5, 2026 | Dean Weingarten

Posted on 06/08/2026 4:45:44 AM PDT by marktwain

The May 2026 National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) numbers are in. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) adjusted background check numbers show expanding firearm sales, even as the total number of background checks conducted through NICS continues to drop. In May, the drop was almost 11 percent from May 2025.

From NSSF:

The May 2026 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,105,758 is an increase of 3.2 percent compared to the May 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,071,685. For comparison, the unadjusted May 2026 FBI NICS figure of 1,780,230 reflects a 10.9 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 1,998,440 in May 2025.

The 2026 adjusted background check numbers are designed to be highly correlated to actual sales numbers. They are not the same because NICS checks serve multiple purposes. The adjusted numbers exclude checks conducted specifically for firearms permits and permit renewals. They do not adjust for multiple firearms sold with a single NICS check, or for firearms sold without a separate NICS check, such as those in states where possession of a permit can substitute for a NICS check. Most private sales do not involve a NICS check.


(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: banglist; gun; nfa; nics; sales
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Except for January, the rest of 2026 firearm sales have exceeded every month from last year.
1 posted on 06/08/2026 4:45:44 AM PDT by marktwain
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To: marktwain

There’s a lot of states now where if you have a CCW, NICS checks aren’t required. At least in my home state.

CC


2 posted on 06/08/2026 5:43:58 AM PDT by Celtic Conservative (Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!)
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To: Celtic Conservative

28 states have some form of permit which can be substituted for a NICS check.


3 posted on 06/08/2026 6:05:21 AM PDT by marktwain (----------------------)
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To: Celtic Conservative

“There’s a lot of states now where if you have a CCW, NICS checks aren’t required. At least in my home state.”

Colorado passed a bill requiring all of us to be re-trained to renew our CCW. Also they banned all semi-autos, even Ruger .22 rifles. They’re just seeing how far they can push. One of our councilwomen in my town said if she wanted to she could restrict us to muzzleloaders. They are incredibly arrogant.


4 posted on 06/08/2026 6:07:32 AM PDT by dljordan (Yeah, I'm a BooYou must be able to hit the bullseyemer and it's all my fault you whiny little bitch.)
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To: marktwain

True, and those states, (like here in Texas) probably have some of the highest numbers of gun purchases, along with some of the highest numbers of carry permits. I know a few fellows who seldom carry, but keep a permit just to make it easier/quicker to purchase.


5 posted on 06/08/2026 6:24:06 AM PDT by Quickgun (I got here kicking,screaming and covered in someone else's blood. I can go out that way if I have to)
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To: marktwain; Jim Robinson; mylife; Joe Brower; MaxMax; Randy Larsen; waterhill; Envisioning; ...

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More 2nd Amendment related articles on FR's Bang List.

6 posted on 06/08/2026 6:25:59 AM PDT by PROCON (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: marktwain

Is that the same “NFA” mentioned in the third paragraph of the 2nd amendment? You know. Right after the part about concealed carry permits and firearm owners ID cards. 🤔😊👍🇺🇸


7 posted on 06/08/2026 6:34:47 AM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? On hold! Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🚫💉! 🇮🇱🙏! Winning currently!)
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To: marktwain

And some young very stupid communists think they want a shoot civil war with us.


8 posted on 06/08/2026 6:46:32 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Freedom is never free. It must be won rewon and jealously guarded.)
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To: marktwain
Hehehe, I'm doing my part.

Just picked up a stainless 1895 Ruglin yesterday in my favorite caliber - 45/70.

The pesky beavers that have been plugging my spillway and taking down my trees aren't going to like when I switch to that thing tonight.

9 posted on 06/08/2026 6:58:51 AM PDT by Abathar (Proudly posting without reading the article carefully since 2004)
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To: marktwain

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System is useless. Criminals nationwide conceal carry without “permits” and do not fill out that cute form asking if you are a criminal when getting a firearm. Only goody goody’s do that.
Government can’t even keep guns out of the hands of well known repeat criminals and convicted felons. It’s pathetic.


10 posted on 06/08/2026 7:14:28 AM PDT by The Sentient Sheep
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To: marktwain

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System is useless. Criminals nationwide conceal carry without “permits” and do not fill out that cute form asking if you are a criminal when getting a firearm. Only goody goody’s do that.
Government can’t even keep guns out of the hands of well known repeat criminals and convicted felons. It’s pathetic.


11 posted on 06/08/2026 7:14:30 AM PDT by The Sentient Sheep
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To: Abathar

Beavers seem a tough critter but a 45-70
Will vaporize them!
Good Hunting !


12 posted on 06/08/2026 7:37:56 AM PDT by Big Red Badger (Good SCIENCE is Not Faith BUT Curiosity. )
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To: marktwain

I’ve noticed alot of First time buyers out there with some interesting stories.
.
God Bless America!


13 posted on 06/08/2026 7:42:11 AM PDT by Big Red Badger (Good SCIENCE is Not Faith BUT Curiosity. )
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To: Abathar

How much does 45-70 ammonia cost per round these days?


14 posted on 06/08/2026 8:48:08 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: dljordan

What does that councilwoman think about ‘Ramrods’?


15 posted on 06/08/2026 9:48:05 AM PDT by Scrambler Bob ( My pronoun is EXIT. Generally full of /S -- Living with Havana Syndrome -infected from Main Stream)
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To: marktwain

I’ve done my part.

Just got a Winchester Model 70 Super Grade in .300 Winchester Magnum. I’ve wanted a classic wood and steel bolt rifle since I was a kid. Put a very nice Swarovski 5-25x56 on it.

French walnut stock, gorgeous lines.

She’s a beauty with some beast inside.

L


16 posted on 06/08/2026 10:10:04 AM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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To: circlecity

Anywhere from $45 to $75 for a decent brand and bullet, you can go higher if you’re looking for the esoteric stuff. I plan on using some 576 grain hard cast tonight weather permitting.

He might see it coming and dive out of the way, but if it connects...


17 posted on 06/08/2026 10:38:09 AM PDT by Abathar (Proudly posting without reading the article carefully since 2004)
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To: Abathar

How much per round? It’s expensive but no 45-75 per round expensive.


18 posted on 06/08/2026 10:42:38 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: Abathar

I see some Hornaday Leverevolution 325 grain cartridges available for about $1.50 cartridge.


19 posted on 06/08/2026 10:57:00 AM PDT by marktwain (----------------------)
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To: circlecity

Depends on the maker, bullet, etc.

$2.00 to $4.00 depending now, it was a lot higher, when you could find it, but the shelves have plenty on them now.

There are places like Defender ammo that has some good target rounds at a reasonable price for plinking also. I don’t reload, so I tend to buy some top of the line, and load up on the lower end stuff just for target shooting.

Hornady LeverEvolution is coming back down now in price, I have a couple of cases of it stored just for the heck of it. I don’t use it for deer or elk though, too messy.

I prefer Underwood ammo’s Extreme penetrator solid brass slug myself, I like to see a clean hole right through where I hit, you can eat right up to the hole as well, and it just laughs at bones. I joking tell people it’s a lazy mans round because you don’t even have to wait for him to step out from behind a tree to shoot.


20 posted on 06/08/2026 12:16:37 PM PDT by Abathar (Proudly posting without reading the article carefully since 2004)
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