{"id":253279,"date":"2026-07-04T10:17:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T15:17:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=253279"},"modified":"2026-07-07T10:33:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T15:33:36","slug":"virginia-rhode-island-gun-sales-surge-ar15-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/virginia-rhode-island-gun-sales-surge-ar15-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"Gun Buyers Beat the Clock: Virginia, Rhode Island See Massive Spike Before AR-15 Bans Took Effect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Americans weren’t waiting around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newly released NSSF-adjusted NICS background check figures show firearm purchases jumped sharply in June, led by huge spikes in Virginia and Rhode Island as gun buyers rushed to purchase Modern Sporting Rifles before state bans took effect on July 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation<\/a>, there were 1,123,006 adjusted background checks in June 2026, an 11.7% increase over June 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s adjusted NICS data shows firearm background checks increased 11.7% in June 2026 compared to the same month last year, with Virginia and Rhode Island posting some of the largest gains ahead of new rifle bans. (Source: NSSF<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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But the biggest story<\/a> came from states where lawmakers approved new restrictions on America’s most popular rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virginia recorded 123,699 background checks, a staggering 241% increase over June 2025. Rhode Island followed with a 201% increase, totaling 7,815 background checks during the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE ALSO: Browning X-Bolt 2 SPR Review: 627-Yard Truth<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

NSSF Managing Director of Public Affairs Mark Oliva said the numbers reflect how Americans respond when lawmakers threaten to restrict firearm ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“This is what freedom looks like,” Oliva said. Our right to keep and bear arms begins at the gun counter and states like Virginia and Rhode Island chose to throttle the Second Amendment<\/a> rights of their citizens by ending the legal sale of the most-popular selling centerfire rifle in America \u2013 the Modern Sporting Rifle \u2013 on July 1.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Oliva added that gun owners “spoke with their wallets” before the bans took effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surge also comes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear challenges to state bans on so-called assault weapons<\/a>, including cases involving Illinois and Connecticut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“NSSF is encouraged that the U.S. Supreme Court is finally granting review to challenges against laws that restrict the sale of these commonly possessed rifles,” Oliva said. “We are confident that the day will come soon when these unconstitutional restrictions will be overturned.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NFA Market Continues to Grow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The report also highlights continued growth in suppressor and National Firearms Act transfers. NFA background checks reached 166,677 in June, a 177.1% increase over June 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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