Gun sales skyrocketed to new heights during the pandemic and the social unrest that accompanied it, so it is hardly surprising to see transactions level off from recent peaks.
Still, it is encouraging to note improvements in industry figures, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) provided the data. September gun sales increased by approximately 2% following seven straight months of slight decline compared to the same period in 2024.
Figures are gleaned from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NCIS) and adjusted by the NSSF.
Firearm sales are soft but remain above pre-pandemic totals
The September 2025 adjusted number showed firearm sales totaling 1,179,424, representing a 2% jump from September 2024. Interestingly, the total number from the FBI NCIS data showed a 10.3% total decrease in overall background checks.
Despite the slight downturn of the recent past, firearm sales are still above pre-pandemic levels. Lower sales may be attributed to less pressure from Washington anti-gunners sending customers to their local gun shops.
The 2A industry remains strong despite recent contracting sales figures
NSSF Public Affairs Officer Mark Oliva told Guns.com that last month’s numbers are a positive sign. “September’s adjusted NICS figure of over 1.1 million background checks for the sale of a firearm is encouraging and reflects a steady interest by law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”
As recently as 2009, there were approximately 316 million privately owned firearms in U.S. circulation. Fast forward to 2025, and there are now over 533 million individually held weapons nationwide, as derived from ATF figures on manufacturing, imports, and exports of guns.
There is also a downturn in ammunition sales. NSSF figures show that excise taxes collected from ammo have dropped a staggering 31% in the last three years and 12% in only the past year.
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