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Americans headed to the gun counter in greater numbers during October, according to the latest firearm background check data from NSSF.
The October 2026 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System figure reached 1,402,422. That represents a 7.9% increase over the adjusted October 2025 total of 1,299,312.
NSSF adjusts the FBI’s raw NICS numbers by removing permit checks and permit rechecks that are not directly associated with a firearm transfer. While the adjusted figure does not equal the exact number of firearms sold, it provides the industry with a clearer snapshot of activity at federally licensed firearm retailers.
Mark Oliva, NSSF’s managing director of public affairs, tied the increase to both personal safety concerns and the ongoing debate over gun rights.
“It is evident that gun owners are already voting with their wallets when it comes to their Second Amendment rights, even as Americans are heading to their polling places to vote in federal and state elections,” Oliva said.
“The October report of a 7.9 percent increase of background checks for the sale of a firearm at retailer, compared to a year ago, is a significant increase that shows Americans invest in their personal safety and right to keep and bear arms,” he continued. “Month-after month, Americans prove that they reject unconstitutional gun control when they show up to the gun counter and legally buy guns.”
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The unadjusted FBI figure tells a different story because it includes checks performed for purposes other than firearm transactions. The FBI recorded 2,104,063 total NICS checks in October 2026, an 8.1% decline from the 2,289,774 checks recorded in October 2025.
The most recent state-level analysis, based on September 2026 data, ranked Texas, Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Virginia as the top five states for adjusted NICS checks. Florida led handgun checks, while Texas recorded the most long-gun checks.
NSSF also noted that 28 states recognize at least one qualifying alternative permit. Those permits can allow an approved holder to purchase a firearm without a new NICS check for each transaction. Consequently, some lawful firearm transfers never appear in the monthly numbers.
A single background check may also cover multiple firearms, while other checks do not result in a completed sale. The figures should therefore be viewed as a market indicator—not a literal firearm sales count.
Still, a nearly 8% year-over-year increase suggests October was a strong month at America’s gun counters.
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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.
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