Special Report
Gun Background Checks Down Sharply This Year
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Last Updated:
The pace of FBI firearm background checks so far this year is down drastically, by about 9%, from 2016.
Through June 30, the FBI has performed 1.2 million fewer firearm background checks than in the same period in 2016, putting this year on pace for the biggest annual decline in checks since the bureau started collecting the data in 1998, according to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Background checks totaled 12.5 million through June 30 from the first six months of 2016, and were well off the pace of 27.5 million for all of 2016, according to NICS statistics. On the state level, background checks declined by as much as 50% year to date. However, they increased in five states by 16% or more.
Click here to see the states with the most gun background checks per capita.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: Thinkstock
50. Hawaii
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 4.2
> 2017 gun registrations: 6,081
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -30.9%
> Gun ownership: 45.1%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 3.6
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Source: Thinkstock
49. New Jersey
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 6.2
> 2017 gun registrations: 55,471
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -8.6%
> Gun ownership: 11.3%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 5.4
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Source: Thinkstock
48. New York
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 9.7
> 2017 gun registrations: 191,169
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 0.8%
> Gun ownership: 10.3%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 4.2
Source: Swampyank / Wikimedia Commons
47. Rhode Island
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 12.3
> 2017 gun registrations: 12,969
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -4.6%
> Gun ownership: 5.8%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 4.7
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Source: Thinkstock
46. Maryland
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 13.3
> 2017 gun registrations: 79,776
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 1.7%
> Gun ownership: 20.7%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 11.9
Source: Thinkstock
45. Massachusetts
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 16.1
> 2017 gun registrations: 109,543
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 0.3%
> Gun ownership: 22.6%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 3.0
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Source: Thinkstock
44. Nebraska
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 18.8
> 2017 gun registrations: 35,699
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -20.7%
> Gun ownership: 19.8%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 8.9
Source: Thinkstock
43. California
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 20.4
> 2017 gun registrations: 798,526
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -30.4%
> Gun ownership: 20.1%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 7.7
Source: Thinkstock
42. Nevada
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 23.2
> 2017 gun registrations: 66,929
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -9.4%
> Gun ownership: 37.5%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 14.9
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Source: Andrew Jameson / Wikimedia Commons
41. Michigan
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 26.2
> 2017 gun registrations: 259,476
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -14.5%
> Gun ownership: 28.8%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 11.7
Source: Thinkstock
40. Iowa
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 26.4
> 2017 gun registrations: 82,359
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -27.9%
> Gun ownership: 33.8%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 7.8
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Source: Thinkstock
39. Georgia
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 26.4
> 2017 gun registrations: 269,635
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -10.9%
> Gun ownership: 31.6%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 14.1
Source: Thinkstock
38. Texas
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 26.8
> 2017 gun registrations: 737,427
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -14.2%
> Gun ownership: 35.7%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 11.7
Source: Thinkstock
37. North Carolina
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 27.1
> 2017 gun registrations: 272,323
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -6.2%
> Gun ownership: 28.7%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 12.5
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Source: Thinkstock
36. Connecticut
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 27.3
> 2017 gun registrations: 98,128
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -49.6%
> Gun ownership: 16.6%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 5.3
Source: Thinkstock
35. Delaware
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 28.4
> 2017 gun registrations: 26,834
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -6.5%
> Gun ownership: 5.2%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 12.1
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Source: Thinkstock
34. Arizona
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 28.7
> 2017 gun registrations: 196,069
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -0.1%
> Gun ownership: 32.3%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 13.8
Source: Thinkstock
33. Virginia
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 30.4
> 2017 gun registrations: 255,251
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 6.6%
> Gun ownership: 29.3%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 10.9
Source: Thinkstock
32. Vermont
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 30.5
> 2017 gun registrations: 19,113
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -2.7%
> Gun ownership: 28.8%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 9.6
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Source: Thinkstock
31. Florida
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 31.9
> 2017 gun registrations: 645,889
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -7.9%
> Gun ownership: 32.5%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 12.0
Source: Willjay / Wikimedia Commons
30. Kansas
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 32.0
> 2017 gun registrations: 93,112
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 1.2%
> Gun ownership: 32.2%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 11.4
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Source: Thinkstock
29. Louisiana
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 32.5
> 2017 gun registrations: 151,576
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -6.5%
> Gun ownership: 44.5%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 20.4
Source: Thinkstock
28. Ohio
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 33.6
> 2017 gun registrations: 390,177
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -11.8%
> Gun ownership: 19.6%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 11.9
Source: Thinkstock
27. Maine
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 34.6
> 2017 gun registrations: 46,017
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -10.0%
> Gun ownership: 22.6%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 9.8
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Source: Thinkstock
26. New Mexico
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 36.8
> 2017 gun registrations: 76,730
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -3.0%
> Gun ownership: 49.9%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 18.6
Source: Thinkstock
25. Arkansas
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 37.7
> 2017 gun registrations: 112,415
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -11.2%
> Gun ownership: 57.9%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 16.9
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Source: Thinkstock
24. Mississippi
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 38.5
> 2017 gun registrations: 115,214
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -5.2%
> Gun ownership: 42.8%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 19.6
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Source: Thinkstock
23. Oregon
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 41.0
> 2017 gun registrations: 165,321
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 8.6%
> Gun ownership: 26.6%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 11.4
Source: Thinkstock
22. Oklahoma
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 41.1
> 2017 gun registrations: 160,708
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -8.5%
> Gun ownership: 31.2%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 18.0
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Source: Thinkstock
21. Washington
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 41.3
> 2017 gun registrations: 295,984
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -25.5%
> Gun ownership: 27.7%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 9.8
Source: Thinkstock
20. Pennsylvania
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 41.7
> 2017 gun registrations: 533,701
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -3.1%
> Gun ownership: 27.1%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 11.4
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Source: Thinkstock
19. Missouri
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 41.9
> 2017 gun registrations: 254,612
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -22.5%
> Gun ownership: 27.1%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 18.1
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Source: Thinkstock
18. South Carolina
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 43.2
> 2017 gun registrations: 211,372
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 8.2%
> Gun ownership: 44.4%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 17.3
Source: Thinkstock
17. Colorado
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 43.7
> 2017 gun registrations: 238,725
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -8.6%
> Gun ownership: 34.3%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 12.6
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Source: Thinkstock
16. Wyoming
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 44.3
> 2017 gun registrations: 25,946
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -16.4%
> Gun ownership: 53.8%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 19.6
Source: Thinkstock
15. North Dakota
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 44.5
> 2017 gun registrations: 33,684
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -4.3%
> Gun ownership: 47.9%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 12.8
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Source: Thinkstock
14. Utah
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 46.5
> 2017 gun registrations: 139,303
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -11.0%
> Gun ownership: 31.9%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 12.8
Source: Ragingpeasant / Wikimedia Commons
13. Wisconsin
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 47.9
> 2017 gun registrations: 276,261
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 23.4%
> Gun ownership: 34.7%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 10.4
Source: Thinkstock
12. Alabama
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 49.0
> 2017 gun registrations: 238,232
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -27.5%
> Gun ownership: 48.9%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 19.6
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Source: Thinkstock
11. New Hampshire
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 50.1
> 2017 gun registrations: 66,722
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -18.8%
> Gun ownership: 14.4%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 8.9
Source: Thinkstock
10. Alaska
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 50.3
> 2017 gun registrations: 37,166
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -7.3%
> Gun ownership: 61.7%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 23.4
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Source: Thinkstock
9. Idaho
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 55.2
> 2017 gun registrations: 91,297
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 22.1%
> Gun ownership: 56.9%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 14.7
Source: Dakdawg / Wikimedia Commons
8. South Dakota
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 56.7
> 2017 gun registrations: 48,703
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -6.9%
> Gun ownership: 35.0%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 11.1
Source: Thinkstock
7. West Virginia
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 58.2
> 2017 gun registrations: 107,321
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -8.7%
> Gun ownership: 54.2%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 14.0
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Source: Thinkstock
6. Montana
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 58.5
> 2017 gun registrations: 60,388
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -8.8%
> Gun ownership: 52.3%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 19.2
Source: Thinkstock
5. Tennessee
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 60.0
> 2017 gun registrations: 396,106
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 16.0%
> Gun ownership: 39.7%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 16.0
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Source: Thinkstock
4. Illinois
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 63.2
> 2017 gun registrations: 812,575
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -16.5%
> Gun ownership: 26.2%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 9.5
Source: Thinkstock
3. Indiana
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 70.0
> 2017 gun registrations: 463,563
> 2016-2017 % chg.: -50.9%
> Gun ownership: 33.8%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 12.7
Source: Jonathunder / Wikimedia Commons
2. Minnesota
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 72.3
> 2017 gun registrations: 396,951
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 30.4%
> Gun ownership: 36.7%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 7.4
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Source: Thinkstock
1. Kentucky
> 2017 gun registrations per 1,000: 504.9
> 2017 gun registrations: 2,234,058
> 2016-2017 % chg.: 18.9%
> Gun ownership: 42.4%
> Firearm deaths per 100,000: 15.2
Detailed Findings and Methodology:
Many gun industry analysts believe background checks serve as a proxy for the strength of gun sales.
Some industry observers believe there was a surge in gun sales in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election out of fear that presidential candidate Hillary Clinton would advocate tougher gun laws.
Kentucky, a state with a population of 4.4 million, is the state with the most background checks — 2.2 million so far this year, according to NICS data. That comes to more than one for every two residents.
Kentucky requires monthly background checks on concealed carry holders. Kentucky firearm vendors must do an NICS background check each time they sell a firearm, unless the buyer has a Kentucky concealed carry permit.
Illinois had the second-highest number of background checks with about 813,000 and California was next with about 799,000. However, when adjusted for population, California has relatively few checks. Minnesota ranked second highest for per capita backgrounds checks.
A study reported in the journal Injury Prevention last year estimated that 300 million Americans owned guns in 2013. According to the data, the highest concentration of these was in the Plains states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, along with Arkansas and West Virginia.
Gun ownership in each state was obtained from a study published in 2015 from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. The survey asked state residents whether they live in a household with at least one firearm of any kind. Firearm death data came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and are as of 2015.
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