{"id":248815,"date":"2026-06-01T08:16:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T13:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=248815"},"modified":"2026-06-03T08:55:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T13:55:55","slug":"may-2026-nics-background-checks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/may-2026-nics-background-checks\/","title":{"rendered":"Gun Sales Stay Hot as May Background Checks Top 1.1 Million"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

If anyone thought Americans were done buying guns in 2026, the latest background check numbers suggest otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Shooting Sports Foundation reported<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In plain English: more than 1.1 million firearm purchase-related background checks were conducted last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

\"May's
NSSF’s latest data shows firearm background checks increased in May while NFA-related checks jumped more than 100%.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Suppressor and NFA Checks Are Exploding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest eye-openers in May’s data wasn’t traditional firearm<\/a> purchases. It was NFA activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s not a typo. NFA checks literally doubled. The top five states for NFA-related checks were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Texas \u2013 21,377<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Virginia \u2013 12,550<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Florida \u2013 10,418<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Georgia \u2013 6,352<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. North Carolina \u2013 5,921<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

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

    Virginia Continues Its Buying Frenzy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If one state stands out above all others, it’s Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And NSSF doesn’t think that’s an accident. Oliva directly connected the spike to Virginia’s incoming semiautomatic rifle ban<\/a> signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It’s not coincidental that firearm<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In other words, many buyers appear to be getting their purchases in before July 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Texas Still Reigns Supreme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The top five states for adjusted NICS checks were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n