Violent crime spiked in urban areas of the United States during the coronavirus pandemic, spurring a demand for legal gun purchases — in many cases by first-time gun owners.
Other factors also contributed to the increase in demand for guns. Still, the latest data suggests the spike in homicides, rapes, aggravated assaults, and robberies is starting to peter out, and legal gun purchases seem to be following a similar trend. (Find out which Americans own the most guns.)
The Major Cities Chiefs Association, which represents law enforcement agencies in the 70 largest cities in the country, reported violent crimes in their jurisdictions declined in the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period last year, ending a three-year trend that started around the time the COVID-19 virus began to spread. It is important to note this positive trend does not apply to all cities, including Austin, Texas; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; and Tucson, Arizona among others. (Also see, drugs, homicide, and more: the biggest crimes tied to guns in every state.)
One of the impacts of rising crime is an increase in legal gun purchases. According to an analysis by The Trace, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on gun-related news, yearly legal gun sales from 2020 to 2022 were roughly double the level of 15 or 20 years ago, a rate that likely contributed to a surge in gun deaths during that period of time.
Based on the number of firearm background checks, a proxy measure for legal gun purchases, gun sales in all 50 states in the first five months of 2023 were about flat compared to the same period last year, up 0.4% 8.49 million or 25.6 background checks per 1,000 people. The number of background checks per 1,000 people ranges from seven in Hawaii to 59 in Oregon, one of 10 states with more than 40 background checks per 1,000 people.
To find the states where the most people bought guns so far this year, 24/7 Wall St. used FBI data from its National Instant Criminal Background Check System for the first five months of 2023. To get a more 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 firearm background checks in the first five months of 2023 per 1,000 people.Â
Even after adjusting background checks, they only serve as a rough approximation of gun sales. One reason is that states have different laws regarding background checks. The most glaring example of this is Illinois, which no longer breaks down background checks separately into different categories such as rechecks. There are likely other states for which the background check figures listed are inflated or underestimated proxies for gun sales.Â
The number of background checks declined in 31 states in the first five months of the year compared to the same period a year ago, while checks increased in six states. Among the 10 most populous states where more than half of U.S. residents reside, background checks declined in six states, including Texas and New York, and increased by the most in Illinois and North Carolina, jumping more than 20%.
Here are the states where the most people have bought guns so far this year.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
50. Hawaii
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 7.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 10,070 — the fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: No data available
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 5.0 — the fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 7,239 — the fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +2,831 (+39.1% — 3rd largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1.4 million — 11th smallest
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Source: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images
49. New York
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 7.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 150,245 — 22nd most
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 8.2 — 3rd fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 161,851 — 22nd most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -11,606 (-7.2% — 11th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 19.7 million — 4th largest
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
48. New Jersey
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 7.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 73,167 — 17th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 7.4 — 2nd fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 68,227 — 16th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +4,940 (+7.2% — 9th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 9.3 million — 11th largest
Source: Courtesy of George Z. via Yelp
47. Rhode Island
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 10.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 10,923 — 2nd fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 11.1 — 4th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 12,114 — 2nd fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -1,191 (-9.8% — 6th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 1.1 million — 7th smallest
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Source: David McNew / Getty Images News via Getty Images
46. California
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 12.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 499,846 — 4th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 12.5 — 5th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 489,706 — 4th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +10,140 (+2.1% — 15th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 39.0 million — the largest
Source: Boston Globe / Boston Globe via Getty Images
45. Massachusetts
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 14.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 97,797 — 22nd fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 13.6 — 6th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 94,808 — 21st fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +2,989 (+3.2% — 14th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 7.0 million — 16th largest
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Source: philipimage / iStock via Getty Images
44. Nebraska
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 17.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 34,569 — 9th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 16.3 — 8th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 31,991 — 8th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +2,578 (+8.1% — 7th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 2.0 million — 14th smallest
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Source: Courtesy of Marion Guns & Gold via Yelp
43. Iowa
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 18.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 58,660 — 13th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 17.1 — 9th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 54,819 — 13th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +3,841 (+7.0% — 10th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 3.2 million — 20th smallest
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images News via Getty Images
42. Nevada
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 18.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 59,509 — 14th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 19.9 — 10th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 63,216 — 14th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -3,707 (-5.9% — 15th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 3.2 million — 19th smallest
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Source: Rick Gershon / Getty Images News via Getty Images
41. Texas
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 20.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 623,902 — the most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 21.8 — 11th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 654,266 — the most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -30,364 (-4.6% — 12th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 30.0 million — 2nd largest
Source: Courtesy of Georgia Gun Store via Yelp
40. Georgia
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 20.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 227,193 — 15th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 22.2 — 12th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 241,815 — 13th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -14,622 (-6.0% — 15th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 10.9 million — 8th largest
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Source: Patrick Smith / Getty Images News via Getty Images
39. Delaware
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 21.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 21,819 — 4th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 23.7 — 15th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 24,125 — 4th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -2,306 (-9.6% — 7th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 1.0 million — 6th smallest
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Source: hiramtom / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
38. Ohio
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 22.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 259,178 — 10th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 23.1 — 14th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 271,872 — 10th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -12,694 (-4.7% — 13th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 11.8 million — 7th largest
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
37. Kentucky
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 24.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 108,260 — 24th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 25.6 — 16th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 115,513 — 25th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -7,253 (-6.3% — 14th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 4.5 million — 25th smallest
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Source: Courtesy of Bowie Outfitters via Yelp
36. Louisiana
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 24.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 113,128 — 25th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 29.2 — 25th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 134,248 — 24th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -21,120 (-15.7% — 3rd largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 4.6 million — 25th largest
35. Kansas
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 24.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 72,537 — 16th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 25.6 — 17th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 75,249 — 18th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -2,712 (-3.6% — 8th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 2.9 million — 16th smallest
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Source: Joe Sohm/Visions of America / Universal Images Group via Getty Images
34. Florida
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 25.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 564,836 — 2nd most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 26.1 — 19th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 581,217 — 2nd most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -16,381 (-2.8% — 6th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 22.2 million — 3rd largest
Source: JOE KLAMAR / AFP via Getty Images
33. Connecticut
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 25.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 92,660 — 20th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 29.2 — 24th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 105,773 — 24th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -13,113 (-12.4% — 4th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 3.6 million — 22nd smallest
Source: AFP Contributor / AFP via Getty Images
32. Virginia
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 25.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 224,096 — 16th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 26.3 — 20th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 228,421 — 14th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -4,325 (-1.9% — 5th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 8.7 million — 12th largest
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Source: Courtesy of Shooter's Choice via Yelp
31. South Carolina
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 26.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 137,572 — 23rd most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 31.2 — 23rd most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 164,610 — 20th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -27,038 (-16.4% — 2nd largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 5.3 million — 23rd largest
Source: Anadolu Agency / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
30. Maryland
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 26.2
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 161,386 — 21st most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 15.2 — 7th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 93,479 — 20th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +67,907 (+72.6% — the largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 6.2 million — 19th largest
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29. Arkansas
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 27.5
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 83,891 — 19th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 27.3 — 21st fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 83,003 — 19th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +888 (+1.1% — 17th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 3.0 million — 18th smallest
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Source: Marc Lecureuil / Getty Images
28. Arizona
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 27.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 204,331 — 17th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 28.9 — 23rd fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 212,553 — 16th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -8,222 (-3.9% — 9th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 7.4 million — 14th largest
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
27. Indiana
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 28.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 191,885 — 20th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 29.9 — 25th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 204,152 — 19th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -12,267 (-6.0% — 16th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 6.8 million — 17th largest
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Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
26. North Carolina
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 28.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 302,833 — 9th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 23.0 — 13th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 246,182 — 12th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +56,651 (+23.0% — 4th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 10.7 million — 9th largest
Source: Courtesy of Powderhorn Outdoor Sports Center via Yelp
25. Vermont
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 28.5
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 18,449 — 3rd fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 28.6 — 22nd fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 18,494 — 3rd fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -45 (-0.2% — 2nd smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 647,064 — 2nd smallest
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Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
24. Michigan
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 30.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 309,049 — 8th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 30.6 — 24th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 307,001 — 8th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +2,048 (+0.7% — 18th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 10.0 million — 10th largest
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Source: VistaVision / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
23. Maine
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 31.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 42,916 — 10th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 31.3 — 22nd most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 43,364 — 10th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -448 (-1.0% — 3rd smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 1.4 million — 9th smallest
Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
22. Missouri
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 31.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 194,095 — 18th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 33.8 — 18th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 209,087 — 17th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -14,992 (-7.2% — 12th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 6.2 million — 18th largest
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Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images News via Getty Images
21. Illinois
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 31.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 397,455 — 5th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 25.8 — 18th fewest
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 324,877 — 6th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +72,578 (+22.3% — 5th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 12.6 million — 6th largest
20. New Mexico
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 32.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 67,856 — 15th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 32.1 — 21st most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 67,785 — 15th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +71 (+0.1% — 19th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 2.1 million — 15th smallest
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Source: Courtesy of 144 Tactical Defense via Yelp
19. Mississippi
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 32.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 95,078 — 21st fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 34.9 — 17th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 102,726 — 23rd fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -7,648 (-7.4% — 10th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 2.9 million — 17th smallest
Source: picture alliance / picture alliance via Getty Images
18. South Dakota
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 33.1
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 30,155 — 7th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 37.7 — 13th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 34,330 — 9th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -4,175 (-12.2% — 5th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 909,824 — 5th smallest
17. Oklahoma
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 33.2
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 133,376 — 24th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 33.7 — 19th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 135,310 — 23rd most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -1,934 (-1.4% — 4th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 4.0 million — 23rd smallest
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16. Minnesota
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 33.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 192,480 — 19th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 35.9 — 16th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 205,415 — 18th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -12,935 (-6.3% — 13th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 5.7 million — 22nd largest
Source: Mike Kemp / In Pictures via Getty Images
15. North Dakota
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 35.8
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 27,894 — 6th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 37.5 — 15th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 29,236 — 6th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -1,342 (-4.6% — 11th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 779,261 — 4th smallest
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Source: GEORGE FREY / AFP via Getty Images
14. Utah
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 37.6
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 127,007 — 25th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 33.1 — 20th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 111,994 — 25th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +15,013 (+13.4% — 6th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 3.4 million — 21st smallest
Source: Christopher Capozziello / Getty Images News via Getty Images
13. New Hampshire
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 39.2
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 54,633 — 12th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 38.6 — 11th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 53,801 — 12th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +832 (+1.5% — 16th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1.4 million — 10th smallest
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
12. Pennsylvania
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 39.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 509,858 — 3rd most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 39.3 — 10th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 510,400 — 3rd most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -542 (-0.1% — the smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 13.0 million — 5th largest
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Source: mtcurado / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
11. Colorado
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 39.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 230,066 — 14th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 37.5 — 14th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 219,223 — 15th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +10,843 (+4.9% — 11th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 5.8 million — 21st largest
Source: specnaz-s / iStock via Getty Images
10. Alaska
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 41.2
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 30,208 — 8th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 43.1 — 7th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 31,588 — 7th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -1,380 (-4.4% — 10th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 733,583 — 3rd smallest
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Source: jfbenning / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. West Virginia
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 41.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 73,991 — 18th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Long guns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 39.8 — 9th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 70,603 — 17th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +3,388 (+4.8% — 12th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1.8 million — 12th smallest
8. Wisconsin
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 42.4
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 250,006 — 11th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 44.6 — 6th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 263,055 — 11th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -13,049 (-5.0% — 14th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 5.9 million — 20th largest
Source: Juan Jose Napuri / iStock via Getty Images
7. Washington
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 43.0
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 335,150 — 6th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 39.9 — 8th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 310,464 — 7th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +24,686 (+8.0% — 8th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 7.8 million — 13th largest
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Source: Melissa Kopka / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
6. Wyoming
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 43.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 25,411 — 5th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 47.3 — 5th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 27,480 — 5th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -2,069 (-7.5% — 9th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 581,381 — the smallest
5. Tennessee
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 45.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 322,262 — 7th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 49.8 — 2nd most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 350,837 — 5th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -28,575 (-8.1% — 8th largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 7.1 million — 15th largest
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Source: Cheri Alguire / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
4. Montana
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 46.5
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 52,212 — 11th fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 47.9 — 4th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 53,785 — 11th fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -1,573 (-2.9% — 7th smallest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 1.1 million — 8th smallest
Source: Barry Lewis / In Pictures via Getty Images
3. Alabama
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 46.7
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 236,988 — 13th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 58.4 — the most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 296,336 — 9th most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: -59,348 (-20.0% — the largest decrease)
> 2022 Population: 5.1 million — 24th largest
Source: Karl Weatherly / Photodisc via Getty Images
2. Idaho
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 51.3
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 99,522 — 23rd fewest
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 49.2 — 3rd most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 95,345 — 22nd fewest
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +4,177 (+4.4% — 13th largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 1.9 million — 13th smallest
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Source: ROB KERR / AFP via Getty Images
1. Oregon
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2023: 58.9
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2023: 249,878 — 12th most
> Most common type of firearm check: Handguns
> Firearm background checks per 1,000 residents, Jan-May 2022: 38.4 — 12th most
> Firearm background checks, Jan-May 2022: 163,026 — 21st most
> Change in background checks, Jan-May 2022 – Jan-May 2023: +86,852 (+53.3% — 2nd largest increase)
> 2022 Population: 4.2 million — 24th smallest
Methodology
To find the states where the most people bought guns so far this year, 24/7 Wall St. used FBI data from its National Instant Criminal Background Check System for the first five months of 2023. To get a more 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 combined number of gun checks through the first five months of 2023 per 1,000 people.Â
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.Â
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.Â
There are likely other states for which the background check figures listed are inflated or underestimated proxies for gun sales.Â
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.Â
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