A shooting at Michigan State University this week left three students dead and five injured. The incident, only the latest in the nation’s seemingly endless stream of large-scale gun violence, prompted Michigan State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks to indicate that the state legislature would be taking action soon to initiate stricter gun control. Among the policies Brinks suggested is stricter background checks. (These are the states with the loosest gun laws.)
This January, about 2.6 million firearm background checks were initiated in the United States, according to data compiled by the FBI, a slight increase from January 2022, when 2.5 million checks were conducted. Background checks are often used as a proxy for measuring gun sales in the U.S. However, there are a number of reasons background checks are initiated that are clearly not tied to the sale of a gun, such as pawn shop transactions and rentals.
To find the states where the most people bought guns last month, 24/7 Wall St. used FBI data from its National Instant Criminal Background Check System. We ranked states based on the number of gun checks in January 2023 per 1,000 people in each state. To get closer to an accurate approximation of gun sales, we excluded several categories of checks, including pawn shop transactions, returns, rentals, and rechecks, which are conducted periodically by some states on existing permit holders. After these adjustments, the remaining 1.6 million background checks are more likely to be tied to the sale of a gun in the 50 states, equal to about 5.0 checks per 1,000 residents.
Firearm background checks are a frequent key topic in the debate over gun control policy in the United States. Currently, the federal government only requires background checks before the sale of guns at federally licensed arms dealers, and not private gun shops. Many states have their own additional policies. As of last year, 17 states required a criminal background check for the sale of all firearms, and another four mandated checks only for the sale of handguns. (These are the countries Americans buy the most handguns from.)
Based on January’s background checks data, states in the South, the West, and the Midwest bought the most guns per capita last month. On the other end of the list, four of the five states with the fewest background checks per 1,000 residents were in the Northeast. Hawaii ranked lowest, with just 1,848 permit checks initiated, or 0.9 per 1,000 people.
Click here to see states where the most people bought guns last month.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
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50. Hawaii
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 1.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 1,847 — the fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: N/A
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 0.9 — the fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 1,352 — the fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +495 (+36.6% — 3rd largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1,440,196 — 11th smallest
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49. New York
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 1.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 27,662 — 23rd most
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 1.4 — 2nd fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 27,519 — 22nd most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +143 (+0.5% — the smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 19,677,151 — 4th largest
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
48. New Jersey
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 1.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 16,745 — 19th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 1.4 — 3rd fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 13,058 — 16th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +3,687 (+28.2% — 4th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 9,261,699 — 11th largest
47. Rhode Island
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 1.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 2,059 — 2nd fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 1.9 — 4th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 2,122 — 2nd fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -63 (-3.0% — 8th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 1,093,734 — 7th smallest
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46. California
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 2.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 95,050 — 4th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 2.3 — 5th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 91,715 — 4th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +3,335 (+3.6% — 13th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 39,029,342 — the largest
Source: Boston Globe / Boston Globe via Getty Images
45. Massachusetts
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 3.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 20,954 — 25th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 2.5 — 6th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 17,264 — 22nd fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +3,690 (+21.4% — 5th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 6,981,974 — 16th largest
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44. Nevada
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 3.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 9,771 — 12th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.2 — 12th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 13,336 — 17th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -3,565 (-26.7% — the largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 3,177,772 — 19th smallest
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43. Nebraska
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 3.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 6,176 — 9th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 2.9 — 8th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 5,789 — 8th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +387 (+6.7% — 18th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1,967,923 — 14th smallest
42. Iowa
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 3.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 12,358 — 14th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 3.3 — 9th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 10,600 — 13th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +1,758 (+16.6% — 8th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 3,200,517 — 20th smallest
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41. Delaware
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 3.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 4,006 — 4th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.4 — 15th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 4,457 — 4th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -451 (-10.1% — 4th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 1,018,396 — 6th smallest
Source: Erich Schlegel / Getty Images News via Getty Images
40. Texas
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 4.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 121,594 — the most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.0 — 10th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 119,232 — the most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +2,362 (+2.0% — 8th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 30,029,572 — 2nd largest
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39. Ohio
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 4.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 47,866 — 13th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.2 — 11th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 49,002 — 11th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -1,136 (-2.3% — 9th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 11,756,058 — 7th largest
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38. Georgia
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 4.2
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 45,787 — 14th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.2 — 13th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 45,880 — 13th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -93 (-0.2% — 10th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 10,912,876 — 8th largest
37. Kentucky
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 4.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 20,835 — 24th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.3 — 14th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 19,252 — 25th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +1,583 (+8.2% — 18th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 4,512,310 — 25th smallest
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36. North Carolina
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 4.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 50,876 — 11th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.5 — 16th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 47,643 — 12th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +3,233 (+6.8% — 19th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 10,698,973 — 9th largest
Source: Mario Villafuerte / Getty Images News via Getty Images
35. Louisiana
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 4.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 22,056 — 25th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.7 — 22nd most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 25,951 — 23rd most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -3,895 (-15.0% — 3rd largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 4,590,241 — 25th largest
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34. Florida
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 4.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 109,323 — 2nd most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.8 — 20th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 107,300 — 2nd most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +2,023 (+1.9% — 7th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 22,244,823 — 3rd largest
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33. Kansas
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 4.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 14,537 — 17th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.7 — 18th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 13,896 — 18th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +641 (+4.6% — 15th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 2,937,150 — 16th smallest
Source: Courtesy of Powderhorn Outdoor Sports Center via Yelp
32. Vermont
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 3,244 — 3rd fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.9 — 21st fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 3,169 — 3rd fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +75 (+2.4% — 9th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 647,064 — 2nd smallest
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31. Arizona
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 37,666 — 20th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.5 — 17th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 32,775 — 19th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +4,891 (+14.9% — 9th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 7,359,197 — 14th largest
30. Arkansas
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 15,623 — 18th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.0 — 23rd fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 15,194 — 19th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +429 (+2.8% — 11th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 3,045,637 — 18th smallest
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29. Virginia
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.2
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 45,391 — 15th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.8 — 19th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 41,617 — 14th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +3,774 (+9.1% — 14th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 8,683,619 — 12th largest
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28. Minnesota
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 30,507 — 21st most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.9 — 20th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 33,467 — 18th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -2,960 (-8.8% — 7th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 5,717,184 — 22nd largest
Source: JOE KLAMAR / AFP via Getty Images
27. Connecticut
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 19,526 — 22nd fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 4.9 — 22nd fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 17,854 — 24th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +1,672 (+9.4% — 11th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 3,626,205 — 22nd smallest
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26. South Carolina
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.5
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 28,831 — 22nd most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.2 — 25th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 27,698 — 21st most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +1,133 (+4.1% — 14th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 5,282,634 — 23rd largest
Source: VistaVision / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
25. Maine
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 7,807 — 10th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.1 — 24th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 7,127 — 10th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +680 (+9.5% — 10th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1,385,340 — 9th smallest
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24. Indiana
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 38,830 — 18th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.6 — 23rd most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 38,267 — 16th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +563 (+1.5% — 5th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 6,833,037 — 17th largest
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
23. Michigan
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 5.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 58,839 — 7th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.5 — 25th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 55,521 — 8th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +3,318 (+6.0% — 17th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 10,034,113 — 10th largest
Source: JannHuizenga / iStock via Getty Images
22. New Mexico
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 12,849 — 15th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.6 — 24th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 11,772 — 14th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +1,077 (+9.1% — 13th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 2,113,344 — 15th smallest
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21. Utah
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.2
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 20,799 — 23rd fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.7 — 21st most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 19,407 — 25th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +1,392 (+7.2% — 20th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 3,380,800 — 21st smallest
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20. South Dakota
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.2
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 5,680 — 8th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.9 — 10th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 6,285 — 9th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -605 (-9.6% — 6th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 909,824 — 5th smallest
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19. Missouri
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 38,808 — 19th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.9 — 17th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 36,735 — 17th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +2,073 (+5.6% — 16th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 6,177,957 — 18th largest
18. Oklahoma
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 25,438 — 24th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.2 — 16th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 24,775 — 24th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +663 (+2.7% — 10th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 4,019,800 — 23rd smallest
Source: Mike Kemp / In Pictures via Getty Images
17. North Dakota
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 5,013 — 7th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.3 — 15th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 4,936 — 7th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +77 (+1.6% — 6th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 779,261 — 4th smallest
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16. Mississippi
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 18,947 — 21st fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.9 — 18th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 17,451 — 23rd fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +1,496 (+8.6% — 16th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 2,940,057 — 17th smallest
Source: Anadolu Agency / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
15. Maryland
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.5
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 39,819 — 17th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 2.8 — 7th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 17,043 — 21st fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +22,776 (+133.6% — the largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 6,164,660 — 19th largest
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14. Alaska
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 6.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 4,949 — 6th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.5 — 14th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 4,780 — 6th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +169 (+3.5% — 12th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 733,583 — 3rd smallest
Source: mtcurado / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
13. Colorado
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 7.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 40,766 — 16th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.9 — 9th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 40,528 — 15th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +238 (+0.6% — 2nd smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 5,839,926 — 21st largest
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
12. Illinois
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 7.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 88,501 — 5th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 5.9 — 19th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 74,091 — 5th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +14,410 (+19.4% — 6th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 12,582,032 — 6th largest
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11. Wyoming
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 7.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 4,109 — 5th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 7.8 — 5th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 4,556 — 5th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -447 (-9.8% — 5th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 581,381 — the smallest
Source: Anadolu Agency / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
10. Washington
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 7.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 55,586 — 8th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.6 — 13th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 51,501 — 9th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +4,085 (+7.9% — 19th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 7,785,786 — 13th largest
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9. New Hampshire
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 7.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 10,254 — 13th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.7 — 11th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 9,379 — 12th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +875 (+9.3% — 12th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1,395,231 — 10th smallest
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images News via Getty Images
8. Montana
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 7.5
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 8,450 — 11th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 7.4 — 6th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 8,342 — 11th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +108 (+1.3% — 4th smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1,122,867 — 8th smallest
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
7. Pennsylvania
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 7.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 100,769 — 3rd most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 7.1 — 7th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 92,472 — 3rd most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +8,297 (+9.0% — 15th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 12,972,008 — 5th largest
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6. West Virginia
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 7.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 14,092 — 16th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.7 — 12th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 11,861 — 15th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +2,231 (+18.8% — 7th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1,775,156 — 12th smallest
Source: Karl Weatherly / Photodisc via Getty Images
5. Idaho
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 8.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 16,752 — 20th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 8.0 — 4th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 15,449 — 20th fewest
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +1,303 (+8.4% — 17th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1,939,033 — 13th smallest
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4. Wisconsin
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 8.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 50,957 — 10th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 8.6 — 3rd most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 50,576 — 10th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +381 (+0.8% — 3rd smallest increase)
> 2022 Population: 5,892,539 — 20th largest
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
3. Tennessee
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 9.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 66,170 — 6th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 8.7 — 2nd most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 61,694 — 6th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +4,476 (+7.3% — 20th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 7,051,339 — 15th largest
Source: Barry Lewis / In Pictures via Getty Images
2. Alabama
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 9.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 49,349 — 12th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 11.7 — the most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 59,522 — 7th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: -10,173 (-17.1% — 2nd largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 5,074,296 — 24th largest
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Source: ROB KERR / AFP via Getty Images
1. Oregon
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2023: 13.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2023: 55,581 — 9th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan 2022: 6.9 — 8th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan 2022: 29,461 — 20th most
> Change in background checks, 2021-2022: +26,120 (+88.7% — 2nd largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 4,240,137 — 24th smallest
Methodology
To find the states where the most people bought guns last month, 24/7 Wall St. used FBI data from its National Instant Criminal Background Check System. To get closer to an accurate approximation of gun sales, we excluded several categories of checks, including pawn shop transactions, returns, rentals, and rechecks, which are conducted periodically by some states on existing permit holders. We ranked states based on the number of gun checks in January 2023 per 1,000 people in each state.
Even after removing some types of checks that are clearly unrelated to a new firearm purchase, because every state has different laws in terms of when background checks are required and different accounting practices, background checks still only serve as a rough approximation.
The most glaring example of this is Illinois, which alone accounted for about half of the background checks in the country after excluding the aforementioned categories of checks. Illinois no longer breaks down background checks separately, but did from July 2016 through July 2021. During the four full years of data, an average of 9.2% of Illinois’s non-private sale or gun-specific permit checks were non-rechecks. We applied that average to the most recent state figures to estimate Illinois’ count. This was done only because Illinois is such a glaring example of inconsistency and because there was historical data to produce an estimate.
There are likely other states for which the background check figures listed are inflated or underestimated proxies for gun sales.
Population data came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Population and Housing Unit Estimates Program, and are for July of 2022, the most recent data available.
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