Black Friday NICS Data Revealed

NSSF revealed the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) completed 680,671 background checks related to firearms for the week leading up to, and including Black Friday — one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

This figure represents a slight decrease from 2022’s total of 711,372 over the same time period (-4.3%)

However, FBI NICS completed 214,913 background checks on Black Friday alone — the highest figure recorded for a Black Friday. The figure approximates firearm sales at retail on that day, which also includes background checks for other purposes related to firearms such as approvals for concealed carry permits.

Extended Sales Key

NSSF has worked with firearm retailers to spread out special sales offers to customers throughout the week leading up to Black Friday so as not to overwhelm FBI NICS on a single day, which can result in longer than normal wait times.

“The background checks reported by the FBI are in keeping with the trends NSSF has seen throughout the year. Firearm sales remain consistently strong, with over a million per month for more than four years running,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF president and CEO. “These figures tell us there is a continued strong appetite for lawful firearm ownership by law-abiding Americans and firearm manufacturers across the country continue to deliver the quality firearms our customers have come to expect.”

Annual background check data shows firearm sales will typically rise during the final months of the year coinciding with hunting seasons and holiday sales.

Below are the breakout tables for each day of unadjusted FBI NICS background checks.
• Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023: 95,354
• Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023: 52,521
• Monday, Nov. 20, 2023: 79,970
• Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023: 101,199
• Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023: 110,703
• Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023: 26,011
• Friday, Nov. 24, 2023: 214,913

For more info: nssf.org.