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Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?

Montana recorded 93.54 handgun, long-gun and multiple NICS checks per 1,000 residents in 2025, the highest of the 50 states, using FBI checks and Census July 1 population estimates, Vintage 2025. Checks are not sales or people. Permit rechecks can inflate permit-inclusive state totals; this rate excludes permits and rechecks.

2026 edition · data through August 2026 monthly totals; annual category comparisons: 2025 · next update January 2027

Key findings

  1. 93.54checks per 1,000 residents

    Montana recorded 93.54 handgun, long-gun and multiple NICS checks per 1,000 residents in 2025, the highest of the 50 states, using FBI checks and Census July 1 population estimates, Vintage 2025. Checks are not sales or people. Permit rechecks can inflate permit-inclusive state totals; this rate excludes permits and rechecks.

    Cite

    USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition): Montana recorded 93.54 handgun, long-gun and multiple NICS checks per 1,000 residents in 2025, the highest of the 50 states, using FBI checks and Census July 1 population estimates, Vintage 2025. Checks are not sales or people. Permit rechecks can inflate permit-inclusive state totals; this rate excludes permits and rechecks. https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/#finding-leading-state-rate (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019)

    Link to this finding

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019
  2. 13,051,492checks

    The 50 states recorded 13,051,492 handgun, long-gun and multiple NICS checks in 2025, according to FBI state-by-type data. These are checks, not sales, firearms or people.

    Cite

    USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition): The 50 states recorded 13,051,492 handgun, long-gun and multiple NICS checks in 2025, according to FBI state-by-type data. These are checks, not sales, firearms or people. https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/#finding-state-transactions (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series)

    Link to this finding

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series
  3. 10,505,081checks

    The same 50 states recorded 10,505,081 permit and permit-recheck checks in 2025, excluded from the transaction-only measure; source: FBI state-by-type data.

    Cite

    USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition): The same 50 states recorded 10,505,081 permit and permit-recheck checks in 2025, excluded from the transaction-only measure; source: FBI state-by-type data. https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/#finding-permits-excluded (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series)

    Link to this finding

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series
  4. 2,257,254checks

    Kentucky recorded 232,940 handgun, long-gun and multiple checks and 2,257,254 permit/recheck checks in 2025, according to FBI state-by-type data.

    Cite

    USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition): Kentucky recorded 232,940 handgun, long-gun and multiple checks and 2,257,254 permit/recheck checks in 2025, according to FBI state-by-type data. https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/#finding-kentucky-permits (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series)

    Link to this finding

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series
  5. 2,132,563checks

    Illinois recorded 401,505 handgun, long-gun and multiple checks and 2,132,563 permit/recheck checks in 2025, according to FBI state-by-type data.

    Cite

    USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition): Illinois recorded 401,505 handgun, long-gun and multiple checks and 2,132,563 permit/recheck checks in 2025, according to FBI state-by-type data. https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/#finding-illinois-permits (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series)

    Link to this finding

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series
  6. 742,171checks

    Utah recorded 127,000 handgun, long-gun and multiple checks and 742,171 permit/recheck checks in 2025, according to FBI state-by-type data.

    Cite

    USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition): Utah recorded 127,000 handgun, long-gun and multiple checks and 742,171 permit/recheck checks in 2025, according to FBI state-by-type data. https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/#finding-utah-permits (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series)

    Link to this finding

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series
  7. 23.8%

    Nevada had the largest increase in its transaction-check rate from 2024 to 2025: 23.75%, from 28.72 to 35.55 checks per 1,000 residents. Source: FBI annual checks and each year’s Census July 1 population estimate; this is not a change in sales or distinct buyers.

    Cite

    USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition): Nevada had the largest increase in its transaction-check rate from 2024 to 2025: 23.75%, from 28.72 to 35.55 checks per 1,000 residents. Source: FBI annual checks and each year’s Census July 1 population estimate; this is not a change in sales or distinct buyers. https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/#finding-largest-rate-increase (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019)

    Link to this finding

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019
  8. −22.7%

    Michigan had the largest decline in its transaction-check rate from 2024 to 2025: 22.67%, from 40.53 to 31.34 checks per 1,000 residents. Source: FBI annual checks and each year’s Census July 1 population estimate; this is not a change in sales or distinct buyers.

    Cite

    USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition): Michigan had the largest decline in its transaction-check rate from 2024 to 2025: 22.67%, from 40.53 to 31.34 checks per 1,000 residents. Source: FBI annual checks and each year’s Census July 1 population estimate; this is not a change in sales or distinct buyers. https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/#finding-largest-rate-decline (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019)

    Link to this finding

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019

How does your state compare?

Handgun, long-gun and multiple-firearm checks per 1,000 residents, using same-year Census population. Every year, with permit-inclusive counts, is in the data file.

2025 · Transactions per 1,000 residents · checks per 1,000 residents

Alabama: 65.55771825934781 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 340,447 transaction checks; 5,193,088 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Alaska: 91.54583802406174 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 67,494 transaction checks; 737,270 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.AlaskaArizona: 42.112233004512966 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 321,056 transaction checks; 7,623,818 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Arkansas: 56.90173112738543 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 177,237 transaction checks; 3,114,791 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.California: 18.237666486115 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 717,749 transaction checks; 39,355,309 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Colorado: 58.64123457541637 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 352,584 transaction checks; 6,012,561 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Connecticut: 24.08054665099271 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 88,821 transaction checks; 3,688,496 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Delaware: 38.19135206122541 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 40,481 transaction checks; 1,059,952 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Florida: 43.2433552102123 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 1,014,598 transaction checks; 23,462,518 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Georgia: 32.727527854288184 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 369,911 transaction checks; 11,302,748 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Hawaii: 0 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 0 transaction checks; 1,432,820 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.HawaiiIdaho: 64.93021495930745 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 131,791 transaction checks; 2,029,733 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Illinois: 31.566990255080903 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 401,505 transaction checks; 12,719,141 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Indiana: 54.74656093434804 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 381,766 transaction checks; 6,973,333 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Iowa: 24.64127974822033 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 79,798 transaction checks; 3,238,387 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Kansas: 47.603133124189675 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 141,725 transaction checks; 2,977,220 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Kentucky: 50.56368062959966 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 232,940 transaction checks; 4,606,864 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Louisiana: 51.15186927169936 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 236,229 transaction checks; 4,618,189 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Maine: 61.12558432765037 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 86,485 transaction checks; 1,414,874 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Maryland: 26.67865004125071 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 167,151 transaction checks; 6,265,347 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Massachusetts: 13.520668753679717 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 96,728 transaction checks; 7,154,084 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Michigan: 31.33675306707699 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 317,375 transaction checks; 10,127,884 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Minnesota: 41.98730619914054 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 244,803 transaction checks; 5,830,405 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Mississippi: 63.388238957944054 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 187,259 transaction checks; 2,954,160 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Missouri: 63.79864193536092 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 400,052 transaction checks; 6,270,541 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Montana: 93.54465036070775 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 107,080 transaction checks; 1,144,694 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Nebraska: 11.191740757956122 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 22,585 transaction checks; 2,018,006 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Nevada: 35.54671456967121 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 116,671 transaction checks; 3,282,188 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.New Hampshire: 76.69453743335534 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 108,549 transaction checks; 1,415,342 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.New Jersey: 13.711358615196662 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 130,919 transaction checks; 9,548,215 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.New Mexico: 50.10308172484754 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 106,494 transaction checks; 2,125,498 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.New York: 13.793926107066907 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 275,912 transaction checks; 20,002,427 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.North Carolina: 39.62406393731434 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 443,709 transaction checks; 11,197,968 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.North Dakota: 67.21018617440495 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 53,725 transaction checks; 799,358 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Ohio: 40.06248471704154 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 476,764 transaction checks; 11,900,510 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Oklahoma: 64.18154637755111 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 264,639 transaction checks; 4,123,288 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Oregon: 74.2982591200926 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 317,520 transaction checks; 4,273,586 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Pennsylvania: 54.20396537919873 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 707,873 transaction checks; 13,059,432 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Rhode Island: 24.812453062795587 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 27,654 transaction checks; 1,114,521 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.South Carolina: 42.135629234755775 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 234,707 transaction checks; 5,570,274 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.South Dakota: 61.019533865044586 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 57,059 transaction checks; 935,094 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Tennessee: 65.6090244311884 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 479,935 transaction checks; 7,315,076 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Texas: 36.231235742390346 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 1,148,886 transaction checks; 31,709,821 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Utah: 35.88681693541277 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 127,000 transaction checks; 3,538,904 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Vermont: 52.30484764908177 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 33,719 transaction checks; 644,663 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Virginia: 52.63720358324511 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 467,424 transaction checks; 8,880,107 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Washington: 29.005176839952906 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 232,071 transaction checks; 8,001,020 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.West Virginia: 73.79510312561752 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 130,333 transaction checks; 1,766,147 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Wisconsin: 55.387208684990775 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 330,816 transaction checks; 5,972,787 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.Wyoming: 90.80718060035363 checks per 1,000 residents · 2025 · 53,463 transaction checks; 588,753 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.
  • Under 29
  • 29–42
  • 42–54
  • 54–65
  • 65 or more
4 primary sources

Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019; U.S. Census Bureau: TIGERweb state boundaries, January 1, 2026

Read the chart values

How permits change the ranking

Transaction-only versus including permits and rechecks. Transaction checks cover handgun, long-gun and multiple-firearm checks. The count-rank view is not a per-person ranking. Rank 1 is highest; ties share rank and unrounded values determine order. Missing ranks remain unavailable.

2025 · Check-count rank · rank

Compare the same state under both definitions. Rank 1 is highest.

Transaction-onlyIncluding permits and rechecks Alabama #14Alabama #16Alabama: Transaction-only #14; Including permits and rechecks #16Alaska #42Alaska #44Alaska: Transaction-only #42; Including permits and rechecks #44Arizona #16Arizona #18Arizona: Transaction-only #16; Including permits and rechecks #18Arkansas #27Arkansas #31Arkansas: Transaction-only #27; Including permits and rechecks #31California #3California #4California: Transaction-only #3; Including permits and rechecks #4Colorado #13Colorado #19Colorado: Transaction-only #13; Including permits and rechecks #19Connecticut #39Connecticut #32Connecticut: Transaction-only #39; Including permits and rechecks #32Delaware #46Delaware #47Delaware: Transaction-only #46; Including permits and rechecks #47Florida #2Florida #5Florida: Transaction-only #2; Including permits and rechecks #5Georgia #12Georgia #15Georgia: Transaction-only #12; Including permits and rechecks #15Hawaii #50Hawaii #50Hawaii: Transaction-only #50; Including permits and rechecks #50Idaho #30Idaho #29Idaho: Transaction-only #30; Including permits and rechecks #29Illinois #9Illinois #1Illinois: Transaction-only #9; Including permits and rechecks #1Indiana #11Indiana #11Indiana: Transaction-only #11; Including permits and rechecks #11Iowa #41Iowa #33Iowa: Transaction-only #41; Including permits and rechecks #33Kansas #29Kansas #34Kansas: Transaction-only #29; Including permits and rechecks #34Kentucky #24Kentucky #2Kentucky: Transaction-only #24; Including permits and rechecks #2Louisiana #22Louisiana #28Louisiana: Transaction-only #22; Including permits and rechecks #28Maine #40Maine #41Maine: Transaction-only #40; Including permits and rechecks #41Maryland #28Maryland #23Maryland: Transaction-only #28; Including permits and rechecks #23Massachusetts #38Massachusetts #27Massachusetts: Transaction-only #38; Including permits and rechecks #27Michigan #18Michigan #9Michigan: Transaction-only #18; Including permits and rechecks #9Minnesota #21Minnesota #8Minnesota: Transaction-only #21; Including permits and rechecks #8Mississippi #26Mississippi #30Mississippi: Transaction-only #26; Including permits and rechecks #30Missouri #10Missouri #20Missouri: Transaction-only #10; Including permits and rechecks #20Montana #36Montana #39Montana: Transaction-only #36; Including permits and rechecks #39Nebraska #49Nebraska #43Nebraska: Transaction-only #49; Including permits and rechecks #43Nevada #34Nevada #36Nevada: Transaction-only #34; Including permits and rechecks #36New Hampshire #35New Hampshire #38New Hampshire: Transaction-only #35; Including permits and rechecks #38New Jersey #31New Jersey #37New Jersey: Transaction-only #31; Including permits and rechecks #37New Mexico #37New Mexico #40New Mexico: Transaction-only #37; Including permits and rechecks #40New York #19New York #24New York: Transaction-only #19; Including permits and rechecks #24North Carolina #8North Carolina #12North Carolina: Transaction-only #8; Including permits and rechecks #12North Dakota #44North Dakota #42North Dakota: Transaction-only #44; Including permits and rechecks #42Ohio #6Ohio #14Ohio: Transaction-only #6; Including permits and rechecks #14Oklahoma #20Oklahoma #26Oklahoma: Transaction-only #20; Including permits and rechecks #26Oregon #17Oregon #22Oregon: Transaction-only #17; Including permits and rechecks #22Pennsylvania #4Pennsylvania #6Pennsylvania: Transaction-only #4; Including permits and rechecks #6Rhode Island #48Rhode Island #49Rhode Island: Transaction-only #48; Including permits and rechecks #49South Carolina #23South Carolina #25South Carolina: Transaction-only #23; Including permits and rechecks #25South Dakota #43South Dakota #45South Dakota: Transaction-only #43; Including permits and rechecks #45Tennessee #5Tennessee #10Tennessee: Transaction-only #5; Including permits and rechecks #10Texas #1Texas #3Texas: Transaction-only #1; Including permits and rechecks #3Utah #33Utah #7Utah: Transaction-only #33; Including permits and rechecks #7Vermont #47Vermont #48Vermont: Transaction-only #47; Including permits and rechecks #48Virginia #7Virginia #17Virginia: Transaction-only #7; Including permits and rechecks #17Washington #25Washington #21Washington: Transaction-only #25; Including permits and rechecks #21West Virginia #32West Virginia #35West Virginia: Transaction-only #32; Including permits and rechecks #35Wisconsin #15Wisconsin #13Wisconsin: Transaction-only #15; Including permits and rechecks #13Wyoming #45Wyoming #46Wyoming: Transaction-only #45; Including permits and rechecks #46

Transaction-only → Including permits and rechecks

8 largest available rank moves.

Utah
#33 → #7
Kentucky
#24 → #2
Minnesota
#21 → #8
Massachusetts
#38 → #27
Missouri
#10 → #20
Virginia
#7 → #17
Michigan
#18 → #9
Illinois
#9 → #1
Show all 50 state rankings

The remaining 42 states, including unavailable ranks:

Alabama
#14 → #16
Alaska
#42 → #44
Arizona
#16 → #18
Arkansas
#27 → #31
California
#3 → #4
Colorado
#13 → #19
Connecticut
#39 → #32
Delaware
#46 → #47
Florida
#2 → #5
Georgia
#12 → #15
Hawaii
#50 → #50
Idaho
#30 → #29
Indiana
#11 → #11
Iowa
#41 → #33
Kansas
#29 → #34
Louisiana
#22 → #28
Maine
#40 → #41
Maryland
#28 → #23
Mississippi
#26 → #30
Montana
#36 → #39
Nebraska
#49 → #43
Nevada
#34 → #36
New Hampshire
#35 → #38
New Jersey
#31 → #37
New Mexico
#37 → #40
New York
#19 → #24
North Carolina
#8 → #12
North Dakota
#44 → #42
Ohio
#6 → #14
Oklahoma
#20 → #26
Oregon
#17 → #22
Pennsylvania
#4 → #6
Rhode Island
#48 → #49
South Carolina
#23 → #25
South Dakota
#43 → #45
Tennessee
#5 → #10
Texas
#1 → #3
Vermont
#47 → #48
Washington
#25 → #21
West Virginia
#32 → #35
Wisconsin
#15 → #13
Wyoming
#45 → #46
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019

Read the chart values

Which states rose or fell?

Compare adjacent full years. Count changes and population-adjusted rate changes are different measures; choose the view explicitly. Rate change uses each year’s own population estimate.

2025 vs 2024 · Transaction-count change · percent change

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019

Read the chart values

Follow your state over time

Select a state and counts or population-adjusted rates. Counts start in 1999; rates start in 2010. National comparison is coverage-matched to the 50 states, excluding DC and territories from both numerator and denominator.

Texas · Transaction-check history · checks

1,148,8861,616,65320201.15M1.62M20201.15M1.62M2020
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019

Read the chart values

Six large state totals, on the same scale

The six states with the largest latest-year transaction totals; these are count histories, not population-adjusted rankings. Shared zero-based axes make their sizes comparable.

Six largest 2025 transaction-count totals · 1999–2025 · checks

California

2M

Florida

2M

Ohio

2M

Pennsylvania

2M

Tennessee

2M

Texas

2M
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series

Read the chart values

The checks left outside the transaction measure

Permit and permit-recheck counts are shown separately. They do not establish how many people bought a firearm, or why state totals differ.

2025 · excluded permits and permit rechecks · checks

  1. Kentucky2,257,254
  2. Illinois2,132,563
  3. Utah742,171
  4. Minnesota560,523
  5. California503,804
  6. Texas426,772
  7. Michigan421,290
  8. Pennsylvania362,926
  9. Indiana306,235
  10. Wisconsin260,597
  11. Tennessee235,561
  12. Maryland204,622
  13. North Carolina171,668
  14. Georgia163,246
  15. Washington155,854
  16. Alabama150,982
  17. Massachusetts148,859
  18. Arizona125,222
  19. Florida110,081
  20. Iowa100,768
Show all 50 observations
  1. Ohio99,162
  2. Connecticut97,755
  3. South Carolina88,159
  4. Colorado87,965
  5. Idaho83,906
  6. Oregon68,881
  7. New York64,489
  8. Nebraska50,579
  9. Oklahoma38,114
  10. North Dakota33,597
  11. Missouri33,029
  12. West Virginia29,468
  13. Arkansas28,307
  14. Mississippi24,657
  15. Kansas22,755
  16. New Hampshire18,186
  17. Nevada17,245
  18. Hawaii15,639
  19. Montana12,280
  20. South Dakota8,671
  21. Delaware8,119
  22. Louisiana6,608
  23. Wyoming6,331
  24. New Mexico6,192
  25. Maine6,145
  26. Virginia4,193
  27. Alaska3,023
  28. Rhode Island621
  29. Vermont7
  30. New Jersey0
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series

Read the chart values

Monthly checks, state by state

Inspect each state's FBI NICS monthly total, November 1998 through August 2026. Monthly totals include all source-native categories. Annual handgun, long-gun and permit figures are separate below; none are distributed across months. Partial startup and current years retain unavailable cells.

All FBI NICS checks · monthly (2026)

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Alabama

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Alaska

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Arizona

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Arkansas

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California

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Colorado

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Connecticut

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Delaware

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Hawaii

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Idaho

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Illinois

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Indiana

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Iowa

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Kansas

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Kentucky

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Louisiana

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Maine

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Maryland

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Massachusetts

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Michigan

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Minnesota

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Mississippi

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Missouri

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Montana

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Nebraska

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Nevada

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

New Hampshire

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

New Jersey

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

New Mexico

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

New York

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

North Carolina

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

North Dakota

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Ohio

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Oklahoma

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Oregon

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Pennsylvania

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Rhode Island

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

South Carolina

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

South Dakota

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Tennessee

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Texas

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Utah

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Vermont

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Virginia

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Washington

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

West Virginia

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Wisconsin

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Wyoming

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Each square is one month. Gray means unavailable, not zero.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS monthly state background-check series

Read the chart values

Inspect the annual check mix

Choose an annual year and measure to inspect FBI category counts, permit and recheck share or checks per 1,000 residents using that year’s official July 1 Census estimate. Every measure is annual, not a monthly allocation. Checks are not people, firearm sales or firearms; years without a matching population estimate remain unavailable.

Annual 2025 · Transaction checks · annual

  1. Texas1,148,886
  2. Florida1,014,598
  3. California717,749
  4. Pennsylvania707,873
  5. Tennessee479,935
  6. Ohio476,764
  7. Virginia467,424
  8. North Carolina443,709
  9. Illinois401,505
  10. Missouri400,052
  11. Indiana381,766
  12. Georgia369,911
  13. Colorado352,584
  14. Alabama340,447
  15. Wisconsin330,816
  16. Arizona321,056
  17. Oregon317,520
  18. Michigan317,375
  19. New York275,912
  20. Oklahoma264,639
Show all 50 observations
  1. Minnesota244,803
  2. Louisiana236,229
  3. South Carolina234,707
  4. Kentucky232,940
  5. Washington232,071
  6. Mississippi187,259
  7. Arkansas177,237
  8. Maryland167,151
  9. Kansas141,725
  10. Idaho131,791
  11. New Jersey130,919
  12. West Virginia130,333
  13. Utah127,000
  14. Nevada116,671
  15. New Hampshire108,549
  16. Montana107,080
  17. New Mexico106,494
  18. Massachusetts96,728
  19. Connecticut88,821
  20. Maine86,485
  21. Iowa79,798
  22. Alaska67,494
  23. South Dakota57,059
  24. North Dakota53,725
  25. Wyoming53,463
  26. Delaware40,481
  27. Vermont33,719
  28. Rhode Island27,654
  29. Nebraska22,585
  30. Hawaii0
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025

Read the chart values

Calculate your state’s annual check mix

Choose the annual year in the check-mix chart, then a state and transaction-only or permit-inclusive scope. Results are recomputed from the exact published annual source rows, not monthly estimates.

Transactions + permits/rechecks · annual 2025
2,490,194 checks
Handgun checks · annual 2025
122,699 checks
Long-gun checks · annual 2025
101,937 checks
Multiple checks · annual 2025
8,304 checks
Permit checks · annual 2025
7,274 checks
Permit-recheck checks · annual 2025
2,249,980 checks
Transaction checks · annual 2025
232,940 checks
Permits + permit rechecks · annual 2025
2,257,254 checks
Permit/recheck share of the five-category sum · annual 2025
90.65 percent
July 1 resident population · annual 2025
4,606,864 persons
Transactions + permits/rechecks per 1,000 residents · annual 2025
540.54 checks per 1,000 residents

Kentucky, annual 2025. Transaction checks = handgun + long_gun + multiple; the inclusive measure adds only permit + permit_recheck. Other NICS categories are excluded. Checks are not firearm sales, firearms or unique people. Rate = selected annual checks / the same year’s official July 1 resident population × 1,000. Missing components or unadmitted populations remain unavailable; a zero denominator has no percentage or rate.

2026 edition · updated October 5, 2026

Rows used (6)Download the source data

All results and type figures are annual for the selected source year. Checks are not sales, firearms or unique people. Other FBI categories are excluded; missing permit/recheck components and zero denominators never become zero shares.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series; U.S. Census Bureau: Intercensal state resident population estimates, 2010–2019; U.S. Census Bureau: Annual state resident population estimates, Vintage 2025

Your state against the national comparison

Use a per-person view above, select your state and compare with the population-weighted 50-state reference.

Alabama: 65.6 checks per 1,000 residents; national reference: 38.3 checks per 1,000 residents. Difference: 27.3 checks per 1,000 residents. 2025. 340,447 transaction checks; 5,193,088 residents; 2025-07-01; Census V2025.

National comparisons are available only in per-person views with all 50 same-year denominators. Count views can compare two states, but do not compare a state total with a population rate or a national total. DC and territories are omitted from both sides.

What share comes from permits and rechecks?

Start with the actual 2025 50-state totals, or change the counts to explore a scenario. This is a share of checks, not buyers.

44.6 percent

The numerator includes permits and permit rechecks. The denominator adds handgun, long-gun and multiple-firearm checks. Other FBI categories are excluded. Changed inputs describe your scenario, not a new government observation.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation: NICS yearly state-by-type background-check series

The numbers behind the findings

2025 state background-check counts and population-adjusted rates The latest 50-state annual summary appears first; complete monthly totals and annual source observations follow. Startup and partial annual source rows are labeled and excluded from annual comparisons.

Download all 24,800 rows (CSV) · JSON

Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit USA Arms and link to this study.

Preview the first 100 rows

Explore the states

Open a state for its figures and its statistics page.

Browse all 50 states
Alabama

340,447 transaction checks in 2025; 150,982 permit/recheck checks excluded. 65.56 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Alaska

67,494 transaction checks in 2025; 3,023 permit/recheck checks excluded. 91.55 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Arizona

321,056 transaction checks in 2025; 125,222 permit/recheck checks excluded. 42.11 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Arkansas

177,237 transaction checks in 2025; 28,307 permit/recheck checks excluded. 56.9 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

California

717,749 transaction checks in 2025; 503,804 permit/recheck checks excluded. 18.24 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Colorado

352,584 transaction checks in 2025; 87,965 permit/recheck checks excluded. 58.64 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Connecticut

88,821 transaction checks in 2025; 97,755 permit/recheck checks excluded. 24.08 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Delaware

40,481 transaction checks in 2025; 8,119 permit/recheck checks excluded. 38.19 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Florida

1,014,598 transaction checks in 2025; 110,081 permit/recheck checks excluded. 43.24 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Georgia

369,911 transaction checks in 2025; 163,246 permit/recheck checks excluded. 32.73 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Hawaii

0 transaction checks in 2025; 15,639 permit/recheck checks excluded. 0 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Idaho

131,791 transaction checks in 2025; 83,906 permit/recheck checks excluded. 64.93 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Illinois

401,505 transaction checks in 2025; 2,132,563 permit/recheck checks excluded. 31.57 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Indiana

381,766 transaction checks in 2025; 306,235 permit/recheck checks excluded. 54.75 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Iowa

79,798 transaction checks in 2025; 100,768 permit/recheck checks excluded. 24.64 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Kansas

141,725 transaction checks in 2025; 22,755 permit/recheck checks excluded. 47.6 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Kentucky

232,940 transaction checks in 2025; 2,257,254 permit/recheck checks excluded. 50.56 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Louisiana

236,229 transaction checks in 2025; 6,608 permit/recheck checks excluded. 51.15 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Maine

86,485 transaction checks in 2025; 6,145 permit/recheck checks excluded. 61.13 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Maryland

167,151 transaction checks in 2025; 204,622 permit/recheck checks excluded. 26.68 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Massachusetts

96,728 transaction checks in 2025; 148,859 permit/recheck checks excluded. 13.52 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Michigan

317,375 transaction checks in 2025; 421,290 permit/recheck checks excluded. 31.34 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Minnesota

244,803 transaction checks in 2025; 560,523 permit/recheck checks excluded. 41.99 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Mississippi

187,259 transaction checks in 2025; 24,657 permit/recheck checks excluded. 63.39 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Missouri

400,052 transaction checks in 2025; 33,029 permit/recheck checks excluded. 63.8 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Montana

107,080 transaction checks in 2025; 12,280 permit/recheck checks excluded. 93.54 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Nebraska

22,585 transaction checks in 2025; 50,579 permit/recheck checks excluded. 11.19 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Nevada

116,671 transaction checks in 2025; 17,245 permit/recheck checks excluded. 35.55 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

New Hampshire

108,549 transaction checks in 2025; 18,186 permit/recheck checks excluded. 76.69 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

New Jersey

130,919 transaction checks in 2025; 0 permit/recheck checks excluded. 13.71 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

New Mexico

106,494 transaction checks in 2025; 6,192 permit/recheck checks excluded. 50.1 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

New York

275,912 transaction checks in 2025; 64,489 permit/recheck checks excluded. 13.79 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

North Carolina

443,709 transaction checks in 2025; 171,668 permit/recheck checks excluded. 39.62 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

North Dakota

53,725 transaction checks in 2025; 33,597 permit/recheck checks excluded. 67.21 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Ohio

476,764 transaction checks in 2025; 99,162 permit/recheck checks excluded. 40.06 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Oklahoma

264,639 transaction checks in 2025; 38,114 permit/recheck checks excluded. 64.18 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Oregon

317,520 transaction checks in 2025; 68,881 permit/recheck checks excluded. 74.3 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Pennsylvania

707,873 transaction checks in 2025; 362,926 permit/recheck checks excluded. 54.2 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Rhode Island

27,654 transaction checks in 2025; 621 permit/recheck checks excluded. 24.81 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

South Carolina

234,707 transaction checks in 2025; 88,159 permit/recheck checks excluded. 42.14 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

South Dakota

57,059 transaction checks in 2025; 8,671 permit/recheck checks excluded. 61.02 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Tennessee

479,935 transaction checks in 2025; 235,561 permit/recheck checks excluded. 65.61 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Texas

1,148,886 transaction checks in 2025; 426,772 permit/recheck checks excluded. 36.23 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Utah

127,000 transaction checks in 2025; 742,171 permit/recheck checks excluded. 35.89 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Vermont

33,719 transaction checks in 2025; 7 permit/recheck checks excluded. 52.3 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Virginia

467,424 transaction checks in 2025; 4,193 permit/recheck checks excluded. 52.64 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Washington

232,071 transaction checks in 2025; 155,854 permit/recheck checks excluded. 29.01 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

West Virginia

130,333 transaction checks in 2025; 29,468 permit/recheck checks excluded. 73.8 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Wisconsin

330,816 transaction checks in 2025; 260,597 permit/recheck checks excluded. 55.39 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

Wyoming

53,463 transaction checks in 2025; 6,331 permit/recheck checks excluded. 90.81 checks per 1,000 residents; Census, Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025.

How we calculated this

Transaction checks sum only handgun, long-gun and multiple-firearm checks from the FBI annual state-by-category publication. The inclusive view adds only permits and permit rechecks, not all NICS activity. Exact FBI category codes and observation identities are retained in the data downloads.

The data downloads retain the complete FBI statistics and Census population input identities, source observations and population vintages. Same-year Census July 1 population estimates are included with their source vintage, date and resident-population definition.

Rate = state checks / same-year resident population × 1,000. Annual rate change = (current rate / prior-year rate − 1) × 100; each year uses its own population. Rank uses unrounded values, largest first, with common tied ranks. A missing component makes the derived value unavailable; a zero denominator does not produce a rate.

The 50-state national comparison sums exactly the same 50 state numerators and denominators before division, not an average of state rates. DC and territories are not in the state ranking and are excluded from both sides of that comparison.

Population history uses Census 2010–2019 intercensal estimates and the selected post-2020 Population Estimates Program vintage; revised vintages can change historical rates. Counts before 2010 remain count-only. No causal interpretation or sales estimate is made.

Map boundaries are the Census TIGERweb January 1, 2026 state geometry, frozen independently of the statistical observations. Alaska and Hawaii use labelled insets; DC and territories are excluded. Boundary simplification changes drawing detail, not any check count or population.

The monthly grid uses admitted FBI all-category state/month totals. Annual type counts and permit share stay annual; annual values are never interpolated into months. Monthly and annual measures do not share a numerator. Every row of the data file references complete published source rows, including status, units, period and observation identity.

Limits

  • 1998 is a NICS startup year; the current calendar year is partial. Neither is treated as a full-year ranking.
  • Administrative, other, pawn/redemption, private-sale, return-to-seller and other non-selected categories remain outside both measures.
  • Missing historical permit-recheck counts are unavailable, not zero. A percent change from zero is undefined.
  • No local-directory population, American Community Survey multi-year population, live public-data fallback or invented denominator substitutes for the official same-year July 1 Census estimate. Years without a matching estimate remain unavailable.
  • No county NICS allocation, firearm ownership estimate, distinct-person estimate or firearm-sales claim is supported.
  • The monthly grid may show partial startup/current years, but missing months are unavailable, never zero, annualized or included in closed-year annual comparisons.

Sources

Cite this study

USA Arms, “Which states run the most firearm background checks per person?” (2026 edition). https://usaarms.com/research/firearm-background-checks-by-state/

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