States Where Gun Sales Are Increasing the Most

Special Report

March 12, 2023 7:12 am

Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images News via Getty Images

5. Michigan
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: +6.7% (+3,835 — 5th largest increase)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 60,721 — 7th most
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 56,886 — 8th most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 6.1 — 24th most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 5.7 — 24th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 population: 10,034,113 — 10th largest

Scoping (CC BY 2.0) by Janice Marie Foote

4. California
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: +4.6% (+4,247 — 4th largest increase)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 95,737 — 4th most
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 91,490 — 4th most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 2.5 — 5th fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 2.3 — 5th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 population: 39,029,342 — the largest

ALSO READ: 10 Shotguns People Bought the Most Online Last Year

Source: ROB KERR / AFP via Getty Images

3. Oregon
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: +39.1% (+12,326 — 3rd largest increase)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 43,828 — 15th most
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 31,502 — 21st most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 10.3 — the most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 7.4 — 12th most
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 population: 4,240,137 — 24th smallest

Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images

2. Illinois
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: +21.1% (+12,843 — 2nd largest increase)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 73,686 — 5th most
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 60,843 — 7th most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 5.9 — 25th fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 4.8 — 15th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 population: 12,582,032 — 6th largest

Source: Anadolu Agency / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

1. Maryland
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: +71.4% (+13,250 — the largest increase)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 31,800 — 21st most
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 18,550 — 21st fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 5.2 — 18th fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 3.0 — 7th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 population: 6,164,660 — 19th largest

Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor

Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.