The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has reported a moderate decline in firearm background checks for September 2023, with an 8.2 percent decrease compared to the previous year. This marks the 50th consecutive month with over one million adjusted background checks.

September’s decline indicates a slowing trend in the reduction rate, following more significant drops of 13.0 percent in August, 17.0 percent in July, and 19.6 percent in June. May, however, saw only a marginal decrease of 0.1 percent.

The NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) data, used to check transactions for new or used firearm sales or transfers, offers an additional perspective on current market conditions. It excludes permit checks and rechecks for concealed carry permit applications and active permit databases.

The unadjusted FBI NICS figure for September 2023 was 2,035,410, reflecting a 16.5 percent decrease from the previous year. It’s essential to note that these statistics represent the number of firearm background checks initiated through NICS and do not directly correlate with the number of firearms sold or sales revenue.

The NSSF also pointed out that 24 states offer qualified alternative permits under the Brady Act, allowing permit holders to purchase firearms from licensed dealers without additional background checks for each transfer. These legal transfers are not included in the NICS checks’ count, and the NSSF does not adjust for them.

While the decline in background checks doesn’t directly translate to sales figures, it provides insight into the firearm market’s dynamics. Various factors, including state regulations, local market conditions, and purchase scenarios, influence the correlation between background checks and actual firearm sales.