Gun sales might have dipped slightly in February, but the market remains solid. The NSSF-adjusted NICS background check figure for February 2025 hit 1,222,980, marking a 9% decrease from February 2024.
Meanwhile, the unadjusted FBI NICS figure dropped 4.3% year-over-year, showing a similar trend.
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Still Over a Million Checks for 67 Months Straight
Despite the dip, February 2025 marks the 67th consecutive month with over 1 million background checks—a clear sign that Americans are still exercising their Second Amendment rights in big numbers.
Which States Led in Background Checks?
No surprises here—the top states for NICS-adjusted checks were:
- Texas
- Florida
- California
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
These states also topped the charts for both handgun and long gun checks, reinforcing that firearm demand remains strong across different categories.
Why the Drop?
A 9% decline in adjusted NICS checks doesn’t mean Americans are losing interest in firearms.
A few key factors could explain the dip:
- Alternative Permit Systems – 24 states allow qualifying concealed carry permit holders to buy firearms without an additional NICS check. Those sales don’t show up in the numbers.
- Market Stabilization – The post-pandemic and election-year surges of previous years are leveling out, but demand is still high compared to historical averages.
- Seasonal Trends – February isn’t typically a peak month for firearm purchases, unlike the holiday-driven spikes in December.
Bottom Line: Gun Sales Are Still Strong
Even with a slight drop, 1.2 million background checks in a single month is nothing to ignore. Americans continue to buy firearms at a steady pace, keeping the industry robust as we move deeper into 2025.
Stay tuned for next month’s numbers—because if history tells us anything, firearm demand isn’t going anywhere.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.