Gun sales and National Instant Background Check System (NICS) numbers for September of 2023 continue the trend of being the fifth highest for the month. The first full year of NICS records is for 1999. The history of NICS now covers the last 25 years. NICS checks were recorded at 2,104,825 for September of 2023. Gun sales for September are estimated at 1.09 million. NICS does not track gun sales directly. Multiple gun sales can be done with one background check. 25 states have permit systems that can be used instead of a separate background check. Background checks are done for multiple purposes besides gun sales. The number of background checks done for each gun sale has varied considerably from year to year.
According to estimates by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), September marks the 50th continuous month on record in which gun sales in NICS exceeded 1 million guns.
August and September have been reasonably close in NICS numbers for most of NICS history. August has had slightly more NICS checks than September for the last six years. Only two Octobers in the last 25 years have had NICS checks lower than the previous September.
Some expect October of 2023 numbers to be significantly higher than those for September because of the recent events in Israel. Israel has strict restrictions on the private ownership of firearms. There are only about 150,000 private guns in the country or about 1.6 for each 100 Israelis. The restrictions are part of the legacy of Israel being founded as a socialist country. 500 dead Israelis is a large number for a small country with a population of less than ten million. Many Americans will look at this attack and the number of unarmed Israelis and conclude they need their own weapons, as governments cannot reliably protect their citizens.
The world is in a significant transition period. Historically, it looks a little like the world prior to World War I or prior to World War II. There is considerable unrest against the existing world order. Inside the United States, the current administration seems intent on destroying the Bill of Rights and the balance of power so as to ensure a one-party rule by the left for the foreseeable future. Leftists rule many states and cities and act surprised when their policies produce chaos and uncertainty. Ordinary citizens are appalled at the lack of order. This is part of what has driven gun sales to the new normal of over a million every month.
Ammunition prices appear stable at the moment. It is a good time to stock up if you have the means. Ammunition is a hard asset that maintains value. Inflation will hit ammunition prices if it has not done so yet. Quality ammunition, if stored in a cool, dry place, has a shelf life measured in decades.
Guns and ammunition are commodities for uncertainty and difficulty. When people no longer trust the authorities, they desire the ability to protect themselves. The United States has a long tradition of spontaneously organizing local militias to maintain order during periods of local emergency and disorder. The United States has more firearms and ammunition per person than any other country on the planet.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
Just in: Hunter’s judge just dismissed his gun charge!
Correction: She just dismissed the older one that was in the plea deal. He Still has a gun charge.
Thinking about buying another AR myself, but alas, the wife is right. You can only shoot one at a time. Okay, maybe two if you practice a bit.
Bet October 2023 is a record – or close to it.
An armed society is a polite society ..still true