12.4 Million Guns Sold and Counting

by
posted on September 4, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
rifle-resize-3.jpeg
courtesy the NSSF

Americans just keep buying guns! This record-shattering trend, which began in early 2020, just keeps going. Last month’s background-check numbers rose from July’s and are the second highest of any August on record.

According to data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), more than 1.3 million background checks were conducted for the sale of a firearm via the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in August, bringing the annual number up to more than 12.4 million; in fact, that number isn’t far from the 13.2 million checks that were conducted up to this point last year—the very year that shattered all previous records.

Though these numbers don’t eclipse those of 2020, they are still well above previous years. This trend has continued as President Joe Biden (D) has grasped for any reason possible to punish American gun owners.

“[This trend] sends a clear signal that Americans are choosing their gun rights over the Biden administration’s gun control,” said Mark Oliva, director of public affairs for the NSSF.

Indeed it does, especially given that, while President Biden continues to push for the disarmament of law-abiding citizens, he recently allowed over $83 billion worth of military equipment to be scooped up by the Taliban in Afghanistan. That’s right, Biden wants to limit the exercise your Second Amendment rights, but is content to leave behind a vast arsenal of American small arms to terrorists.

Latest

procarry.jpg
procarry.jpg

Open Carry in California?

On January 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down California’s ban on open carry in most of the state. The panel decision was 2-1.

Gun Skills | Press Check

Back when I was a new gun owner, I drilled in a habit of checking to be sure my firearm was unloaded, which was also a terrific opportunity to work on gun-handling skills like racking the action and activating the controls.

The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025

The NRA took a serious hit on December 28th. We lost Phil Schreier, director of NRA Museums. He did everything the doctors asked of him and then some. But it wasn’t enough. Leukemia won, and we all lost.

No More Tax on Suppressors!

When President Donald Trump (R) signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) into law on July 4, 2025, he scheduled the end of the burdensome $200 excise tax imposed on suppressors, short-barreled firearms and “any other weapons” as defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA). That end came on January 1.

Armed Citizens are the “Rugged Individualists” Mamdani Despises

In his inauguration speech as the new mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani said, behind his characteristically easy smile, “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.”

Conscientious Carry

While going about armed, you need to fit into society responsibly and politely. Here’s how.



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.