States Where Gun Sales are Decreasing the Most

Special Report

March 19, 2023 8:14 am

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5. South Dakota
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: -14.2% (-994 — 13th smallest decrease)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 5,984 — 8th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 6,978 — 9th fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 6.6 — 18th most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 7.7 — 11th most
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Long guns
> 2022 Population: 909,824 — 5th smallest

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4. Delaware
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: -15.2% (-757 — 11th smallest decrease)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 4,214 — 4th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 4,971 — 4th fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 4.1 — 10th fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 4.9 — 16th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 Population: 1,018,396 — 6th smallest

ALSO READ: Companies Selling the Most Guns, According to an Online Gun Broker

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3. South Carolina
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: -21.5% (-7,832 — 3rd largest decrease)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 28,585 — 23rd most
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 36,417 — 19th most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 5.4 — 23rd fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 6.9 — 16th most
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 Population: 5,282,634 — 23rd largest

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2. Louisiana
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: -21.5% (-6,162 — 4th largest decrease)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 22,434 — 25th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 28,596 — 23rd most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 4.9 — 15th fewest
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 6.2 — 22nd most
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 Population: 4,590,241 — 25th largest

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1. Alabama
> Change in background checks, Feb 2022- Feb 2023: -24.0% (-15,453 — the largest decrease)
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2023: 48,981 — 11th most
> Firearm background checks, Feb 2022: 64,434 — 6th most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2023: 9.7 — 3rd most
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Feb 2022: 12.7 — the most
> Most common type of firearm check, Feb 2023: Handguns
> 2022 Population: 5,074,296 — 24th largest

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