How Gun Sales Have Changed Over the Past Decade in Each State
America's love for firearms shows no sign of abating.
To look at the how gun sales have changed over the past decade, GOBankingRates used the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) “Firearm Checks: Month/Year by State” dataset. States like Wisconsin and Delaware have seen the greatest change, while states like Connecticut and Kentucky have seen the lowest change.
Discover: The Items That You Should Continue To Stock Up On
The NICS is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Nearly everyone put through this system qualifies as a buyer. Typically, those who are excluded are those with criminal records. Of the more than 310 million checks that have been done since 1998, there have only been 1.5 million denials. Therefore, the data is the best proxy for U.S. gun sales available. However, it does not reflect private sales between non-licensed dealers.
Read on to discover how gun sales have changed over the past decade in each state.

Alabama
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 308,607
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 1,085,475
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 776,868
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 251.73%
See: COVID’s Financial Impact After 1 Year: All Our Coverage

Alaska
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 65,909
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 98,952
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 33,043
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 50.13%
Find Out: Here’s Why Your Stimulus Check Might Still Be Pending

Arizona
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 206,050
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 665,458
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 459,408
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 222.96%
Tax Time: IRS Delayed Refunds for 275,000 Taxpayers in 2019 — Here’s How To Get Yours Faster

Arkansas
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 191,448
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 324,741
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 133,293
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 69.62%
See: Beware These 18 Industries and Companies Selling Your Information

California
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 816,399
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 1,601,054
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 784,655
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 96.11%
Read: How Long $1 Million in Savings Will Last in Every State

Colorado
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 300,820
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 680,507
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 379,687
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 126.22%
Read More: The Classic Brands You Love Are In Trouble

Connecticut
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 179,595
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 219,227
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 39,632
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 22.07%

Delaware
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 19,240
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 77,057
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 57,817
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 300.50%
See: Corn Flakes, Mountain Dew and 9 Other Beloved Brands With a Twisted History

Florida
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 559,347
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 1,912,204
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 1,352,857
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 241.86%

Georgia
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 333,247
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 904,035
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 570,788
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 171.28%
Keep Reading: Big-Name Brands That Have Been Around for More Than a Century

Hawaii
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 10,533
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 20,102
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 9,569
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 90.85%
More: Just How Rich Are Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and These Other Big Names?

Idaho
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 92,031
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 281,284
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 189,253
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 205.64%
Find Out: 25 Companies Making the Most Money From Coronavirus

Illinois
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 695,300
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 7,455,065
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 6,759,765
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 972.21%

Indiana
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 345,650
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 1,935,587
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 1,589,937
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 459.98%
Find Out: 17 Companies Facebook Famously Purchased and How They’re Doing Now

Iowa
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 124,738
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 270,614
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 145,876
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 116.95%
See: What Is the GDP – and What Does It Have to Do With You?

Kansas
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 144,156
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 249,589
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 105,433
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 73.14%
See: 25 Companies Laying Off the Most People Thanks to Coronavirus

Kentucky
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 2,385,579
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 3,330,462
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 944,883
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 39.61%
Find Out: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job

Louisiana
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 239,204
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 430,537
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 191,333
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 79.99%

Maine
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 65,988
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 137,149
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 71,161
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 107.84%
More: What Is the Consumer Confidence Index and How Does It Affect Me?

Maryland
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 88,162
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 302,563
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 214,401
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 243.19%
Check Out: 50 Brands With Lifetime Warranties

Massachusetts
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 115,904
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 262,583
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 146,679
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 126.55%

Michigan
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 348,200
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 1,068,511
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 720,311
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 206.87%
Check Out: Companies That Faced Public Backlash

Minnesota
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 297,390
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 958,391
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 661,001
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 222.27%
Modern Money Etiquette: Should You Ask Coworkers About Salary?

Mississippi
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 169,873
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 366,829
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 196,956
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 115.94%
See: Costco and 7 Other Popular Companies That Don’t Waste Money on Advertising

Missouri
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 349,672
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 708,184
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 358,512
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 102.53%

Montana
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 101,789
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 172,695
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 71,600
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 70.82%

Nebraska
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 58,283
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 104,511
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 46,228
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 79.32%

Nevada
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 104,789
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 219,349
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 114,560
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 109.32%
See: 15 of Your Favorite Companies That Have Gone Out of Business

New Hampshire
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 79,940
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 174,662
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 94,722
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 118.49%
Read: In Less Than a Decade, You Won’t Be Able To Afford a Home in These Cities

New Jersey
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 50,522
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 177,901
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 127,379
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 252.13%
Read More: 8 Successful Companies That Were IPO Flops

New Mexico
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 109,069
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 206,252
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 97,183
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 89.10%

New York
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 241,495
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 507,940
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 266,455
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 110.33%
Find Out: The Most-Loved Company in Every State

North Carolina
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 331,637
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 890,284
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 558,501
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 168.45%
See: Enron and the 24 Other Most Epic Corporate Downfalls of All Time

North Dakota
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 47,083
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 85,465
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 38,382
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 81.52%

Ohio
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 393,250
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 976,751
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 583,501
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 148.38%
Keep Reading: Meet the Companies That Are New to the Fortune 500

Oklahoma
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 233,909
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 470,286
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 236,377
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 79.99%

Oregon
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 184,835
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 516,096
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 331,261
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 179.22%
See: How Major Tech Companies Change the Cities They Moved To

Pennsylvania
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 626,677
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 1,452,921
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 826,244
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 131.85%
Read: Cutting Out These 25 Expenses Will Save You $16,142.08 a Year

Rhode Island
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 14,835
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 51,369
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 36,534
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 246.27%
Read: Coronavirus Has Made These 100+ Brands More Valuable Than Ever

South Carolina
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 201,628
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 530,930
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 329,302
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 163.32%
See: 12 Essential Money Tips for Every Phase of Your Financial Life

South Dakota
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 63,151
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 115,448
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 52,297
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 82.81%
Check Out: 5 Startup Tech Companies Changing the Scope of the Industry

Tennessee
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 411,024
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 984,760
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 573,736
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 139.59%
Find Out: 40 Money Habits That Can Leave You Broke

Texas
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 968,071
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 2,325,281
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 1,357,210
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 140.20%

Utah
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 553,134
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 1,216,773
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 663,639
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 119.98%

Vermont
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 24,276
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 57,965
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 33,689
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 138.77%

Virginia
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 320,783
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 823,513
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 502,730
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 156.72%

Washington
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 335,342
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 781,471
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 446,129
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 133.04%
Read: 20 Billionaire American Dynasties and How They Made Their Money

West Virginia
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 159,550
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 265,705
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 106,155
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 66.53%

Wisconsin
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 194,797
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 731,705
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 536,821
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 275.58%

Wyoming
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 47,709
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 91,384
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 43,675
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 91.54%

US Totals
- 2010 NICS Firearm background checks: 14,310,275
- 2020 NICS firearm background checks: 39,288,975
- Number change in NICS firearm background checks: 24,978,700
- Percent change in NICS firearm background checks: 174.55%
More From GOBankingRates
- Don’t Miss Out on Nominating Your Favorite Small Business To Be Featured on GOBankingRates — Ends May 31
- Everything You Need To Know About Taxes This Year
- What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?
- The Average Retirement Age in Every State
Methodology: For this piece GOBankingRates used the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) “Firearm Checks: Month/Year by State” dataset to discover how gun sales have changed over the past decade in each state. First, GOBankingRates found each state’s (1) 2010 NICS total firearm background checks and (2) 2020 NICS total firearm background checks. Then, GOBankingRates found for each state (3) the total numerical change in NICS firearm background checks from 2010 to 2020 and (4) the percent change in total NICS firearm background checks from 2010 to 2020. The NICS is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Each month, the figures are reported by state. Nearly everyone put through this system qualifies as a buyer. People who are excluded usually have criminal records. Of the more than 310 million checks that have been done since 1998, there have only been 1.5 million denials. Therefore, the data is the best proxy for U.S. gun sales available. However, only licensed dealers are required to run background checks, so private sales between individuals will not be captured. All data was collected on and up to date as of March 23, 2021.
About the Author
Jordan Rosenfeld
Jordan Rosenfeld is a freelance writer and author of nine books. She holds a B.A. from Sonoma State University and an MFA from Bennington College. Her articles and essays about finances and other topics has appeared in a wide range of publications and clients, including The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Ozy, Paypal, The Washington Post and for numerous business clients. As someone who had to learn many of her lessons about money the hard way, she enjoys writing about personal finance to empower and educate people on how to make the most of what they have and live a better quality of life.