Gun sales—as approximated by background checks—have declined each year since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. From 39,695,315 in 2020 to 38,876,673 in 2021. But despite this trend, gun purchases remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System tracks how many gun buyers are cleared to purchase a firearm. All but a small percentage pass the background check. Only 2.1 million checks have been denied out of the more than 400 million that have been performed since November 1998. Criminal histories are present in more than half of individuals who are rejected.

In 2022, there were 94.8 background checks per 1,000 persons nationwide, demographic adjustments included. The statistics on background checks performed per person vary greatly per state.

Background check statistics per capita were calculated using Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program data from the US Census Bureau for July 2022. It is essential to keep in mind that certain states require FBI background checks for specific firearm permit rechecks, which may have an influence on the total number of background checks utilized to produce this ranking.