The debate over gun rights, gun regulations, and gun sales has raged for decades. The number of mass shootings that occur almost daily make these tragedies part of the American societal landscape. Extraordinarily, according to the Gun Violence Archive, gun deaths have reached 26,874 this year. The number of mass shootings has hit 450.
There are about 400 million guns in circulation in America, according to estimates from the Small Arms Survey. That is well over one gun per person. The sheer amount of guns presents a particularly vexing problem. A well cared for gun can work well and remain in circulation for decades. And gun sales restrictions cannot entirely solve the gun violence problem. (These are the states where the most murders are committed with a gun.)
While gun background checks are not a one-to-one comparison of gun sales, they serve as a proxy, especially in identifying trends. So far, through the first eight months of 2022, gun background checks by the FBI have hit 20,790,489. That is down sharply from 27,841,119 in the same period last year and breaks several years of upward trend.
Gun sales — as measured by background checks — in the U.S. were 10 million in 2006. They rose to almost 15 million in 2010, and to just above 25 million in 2018. They exploded as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, reaching 39,695,315 in 2020. Sales after March 2020 made up a disproportionate amount of the total. Concern about how the pandemic might affect violent crime in the U.S. was likely a cause, at least in part, for this increase. This might have been exacerbated by the period of civil unrest across much of the country in the summer.
Sales fell from 2020 levels in 2021, but only by a modest amount. A downward turn began in the second half of the year.
Gun sales do not appear to be related directly to state populations. California, the most populous state with 39.4 million people, had a modest number of background checks in the first eight months at 951,008. Illinois topped the list in background checks at 2,771,745 over the first eight months, but its population is a more modest 12.8 million. (These are the states with the most trafficked guns.)
To determine the state selling the most guns, 24/7 Wall St. ranked states based on the number of firearm background checks initiated in the eight five months of 2022, according to the FBI’s the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Population figures came from the Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey and are five-year averages.
As gun violence remains among the most critical problems in America, what is the future of the gun debate? Some Americans believe that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows them to freely own as many guns as they would like and to wear them in the open. Gun regulation advocates interpret the Amendment as being less about the rights of individuals and further believe the over 200-year-old Amendment should be adjusted to modern-day realities.
About two-third of the population supports stricter gun laws, according to a recent Gallup poll. Could the two differing views meet in the middle or will the rift continue to grow?
Click here to see this is how many guns were sold in each state so far this year.
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
50. Hawaii
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 12,669
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 11,433 (the fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: +1,236 (+10.8% — 2nd largest increase)
> Population: 1,420,074 (11th smallest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
49. Rhode Island
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 19,240
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 27,587 (2nd fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -8,347 (-30.3% — 5th largest decrease)
> Population: 1,057,798 (7th smallest)
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Source: haveseen / iStock via Getty Images
48. Vermont
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 28,931
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 34,990 (3rd fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -6,059 (-17.3% — 25th largest decrease)
> Population: 624,340 (2nd smallest)
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
47. Delaware
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 41,895
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 47,883 (4th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -5,988 (-12.5% — 7th smallest decrease)
> Population: 967,679 (6th smallest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
46. Wyoming
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 45,810
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 56,778 (6th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -10,968 (-19.3% — 17th largest decrease)
> Population: 581,348 (the smallest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
45. North Dakota
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 47,263
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 53,930 (5th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -6,667 (-12.4% — 6th smallest decrease)
> Population: 760,394 (4th smallest)
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
44. Nebraska
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 49,088
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 62,329 (8th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -13,241 (-21.2% — 13th largest decrease)
> Population: 1,923,826 (14th smallest)
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
43. Alaska
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 53,791
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 62,133 (7th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -8,342 (-13.4% — 8th smallest decrease)
> Population: 736,990 (3rd smallest)
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
42. South Dakota
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 55,166
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 71,157 (9th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -15,991 (-22.5% — 11th largest decrease)
> Population: 879,336 (5th smallest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
41. Maine
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 71,608
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 83,198 (10th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -11,590 (-13.9% — 10th smallest decrease)
> Population: 1,340,825 (9th smallest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
40. New Hampshire
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 87,272
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 105,513 (11th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -18,241 (-17.3% — 22nd smallest decrease)
> Population: 1,355,244 (10th smallest)
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Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
39. Montana
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 92,277
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 106,711 (12th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -14,434 (-13.5% — 9th smallest decrease)
> Population: 1,061,705 (8th smallest)
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Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
38. Nevada
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 105,061
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 133,544 (13th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -28,483 (-21.3% — 12th largest decrease)
> Population: 3,030,281 (19th smallest)
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
37. New Jersey
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 111,132
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 167,241 (17th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -56,109 (-33.5% — 3rd largest decrease)
> Population: 8,885,418 (11th largest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
36. New Mexico
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 114,354
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 134,043 (14th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -19,689 (-14.7% — 12th smallest decrease)
> Population: 2,097,021 (15th smallest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
35. West Virginia
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 120,525
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 148,903 (15th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -28,378 (-19.1% — 18th largest decrease)
> Population: 1,807,426 (13th smallest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
34. Kansas
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 123,997
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 153,687 (16th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -29,690 (-19.3% — 16th largest decrease)
> Population: 2,912,619 (16th smallest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
33. Arkansas
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 148,217
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 193,661 (22nd fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -45,444 (-23.5% — 9th largest decrease)
> Population: 3,011,873 (18th smallest)
Source: Chaay_Tee / iStock via Getty Images
32. Massachusetts
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 152,606
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 184,223 (18th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -31,617 (-17.2% — 21st smallest decrease)
> Population: 6,873,003 (15th largest)
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Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
31. Iowa
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 155,708
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 192,252 (21st fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -36,544 (-19.0% — 19th largest decrease)
> Population: 3,150,011 (20th smallest)
Source: knowlesgallery / iStock via Getty Images
30. Idaho
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 156,533
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 187,020 (19th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -30,487 (-16.3% — 18th smallest decrease)
> Population: 1,754,367 (12th smallest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
29. Connecticut
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 162,653
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 198,404 (23rd fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -35,751 (-18.0% — 23rd largest decrease)
> Population: 3,570,549 (22nd smallest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
28. Maryland
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 171,099
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 189,066 (20th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -17,967 (-9.5% — 4th smallest decrease)
> Population: 6,037,624 (19th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
27. Mississippi
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 178,383
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 211,870 (24th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -33,487 (-15.8% — 15th smallest decrease)
> Population: 2,981,835 (17th smallest)
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
26. Louisiana
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 221,651
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 267,015 (25th fewest)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -45,364 (-17.0% — 20th smallest decrease)
> Population: 4,664,616 (25th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
25. Oklahoma
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 237,786
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 277,119 (25th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -39,333 (-14.2% — 11th smallest decrease)
> Population: 3,949,342 (23rd smallest)
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24. Oregon
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 261,908
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 309,043 (24th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -47,135 (-15.3% — 13th smallest decrease)
> Population: 4,176,346 (24th smallest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
23. South Carolina
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 272,536
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 335,589 (22nd most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -63,053 (-18.8% — 20th largest decrease)
> Population: 5,091,517 (23rd largest)
Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images
22. New York
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 309,056
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 313,077 (23rd most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -4,021 (-1.3% — the smallest decrease)
> Population: 19,514,849 (4th largest)
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Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
21. Missouri
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 340,754
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 430,098 (20th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -89,344 (-20.8% — 15th largest decrease)
> Population: 6,124,160 (18th largest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
20. Colorado
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 352,754
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 432,423 (19th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -79,669 (-18.4% — 21st largest decrease)
> Population: 5,684,926 (21st largest)
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Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
19. Arizona
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 359,807
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 398,289 (21st most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -38,482 (-9.7% — 5th smallest decrease)
> Population: 7,174,064 (14th largest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. Virginia
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 365,727
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 443,429 (18th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -77,702 (-17.5% — 24th largest decrease)
> Population: 8,509,358 (12th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
17. Georgia
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 388,047
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 574,331 (14th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -186,284 (-32.4% — 4th largest decrease)
> Population: 10,516,579 (8th largest)
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
16. North Carolina
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 410,573
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 550,432 (15th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -139,859 (-25.4% — 7th largest decrease)
> Population: 10,386,227 (9th largest)
Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ via Getty Images
15. Wisconsin
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 411,574
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 519,645 (16th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -108,071 (-20.8% — 14th largest decrease)
> Population: 5,806,975 (20th largest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
14. Ohio
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 434,073
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 588,140 (13th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -154,067 (-26.2% — 6th largest decrease)
> Population: 11,675,275 (7th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
13. Alabama
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 486,952
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 647,523 (11th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -160,571 (-24.8% — 8th largest decrease)
> Population: 4,893,186 (24th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
12. Washington
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 506,674
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 491,867 (17th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: +14,807 (+3.0% — 3rd largest increase)
> Population: 7,512,465 (13th largest)
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Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ via Getty Images
11. Michigan
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 524,177
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 677,525 (9th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -153,348 (-22.6% — 10th largest decrease)
> Population: 9,973,907 (10th largest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
10. Tennessee
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 548,996
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 659,169 (10th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -110,173 (-16.7% — 19th smallest decrease)
> Population: 6,772,268 (16th largest)
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Source: RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images
9. Minnesota
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 598,080
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 644,447 (12th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -46,367 (-7.2% — 3rd smallest decrease)
> Population: 5,600,166 (22nd largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
8. Utah
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 678,238
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 829,624 (8th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -151,386 (-18.2% — 22nd largest decrease)
> Population: 3,151,239 (21st smallest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
7. Indiana
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 789,792
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 1,363,127 (3rd most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -573,335 (-42.1% — 2nd largest decrease)
> Population: 6,696,893 (17th largest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
6. Pennsylvania
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 810,491
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 966,950 (7th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -156,459 (-16.2% — 16th smallest decrease)
> Population: 12,794,885 (5th largest)
Source: DutcherAerials / E+ via Getty Images
5. California
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 951,008
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 1,007,251 (6th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -56,243 (-5.6% — 2nd smallest decrease)
> Population: 39,346,023 (the largest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
4. Florida
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 988,563
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 1,180,925 (5th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -192,362 (-16.3% — 17th smallest decrease)
> Population: 21,216,924 (3rd largest)
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Source: Barbara Smyers / iStock via Getty Images
3. Texas
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 1,130,588
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 1,342,221 (4th most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -211,633 (-15.8% — 14th smallest decrease)
> Population: 28,635,442 (2nd largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
2. Kentucky
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 2,681,024
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 2,359,658 (2nd most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: +321,366 (+13.6% — the largest increase)
> Population: 4,461,952 (25th smallest)
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Source: JaySi / iStock via Getty Images
1. Illinois
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2022: 2,771,745
> Firearm background checks Jan-Aug 2021: 7,134,045 (the most)
> Change in sales, first eight months year-to-date: -4,362,300 (-61.1% — the largest decrease)
> Population: 12,716,164 (6th largest)
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