{"id":254578,"date":"2026-08-01T10:15:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T15:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=254578"},"modified":"2026-08-04T10:28:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:28:22","slug":"july-2026-nics-background-checks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/july-2026-nics-background-checks\/","title":{"rendered":"Gun Sales Stay Hot as July Background Checks Top 1 Million"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

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Firearm demand stayed strong in July, with adjusted background checks topping the one-million mark for another month and suppressor-related activity continuing its explosive climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the latest data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF<\/a>), the July 2026 adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure reached 1,061,883, an 8.5% increase over July 2025. The FBI’s unadjusted NICS total also climbed, rising 6.3% to 2,057,967 checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s adjusted NICS chart shows July firearm background check trends over the past 27 years, with July 2026 posting an 8.5% year-over-year increase. (Photo: NSSF<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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While NICS numbers don’t equal firearm sales one-for-one, they’re widely viewed as one of the best indicators of overall market activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest stories wasn’t the national total. It was what happened in Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NSSF Managing Director of Public Affairs Mark Oliva pointed to a massive surge in firearm purchases ahead of the state’s new permit-to-purchase requirement for Modern Sporting Rifles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Background checks<\/a> topped 1 million in July and most notably, we saw the same pattern unfold in Colorado that occurred in Virginia just a month ago,” Oliva said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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According to NSSF, Colorado recorded 82,103 firearm background checks in July, compared to 22,507 during the same month last year, a staggering 264% increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s no coincidence that Coloradans were choosing to exercise their Second Amendment<\/a> rights before state authorities require them to obtain a permission slip to lawfully purchase a Modern Sporting Rifle,” Oliva said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There were 82,103 background checks completed in Colorado for firearm sales in July. A year ago, that figure was 22,507. That is a blaring signal horn that Americans will choose freedom over the tethers of unconstitutional burdens on their Second Amendment rights.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The suppressor market also continues<\/a> to show no signs of slowing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NSSF reported 130,013 National Firearms Act (NFA) checks during July, representing a 108.8% increase over the 62,271 recorded in July 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas once again led the nation in NFA activity with 16,977 checks, followed by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n