Industry Watch
Gun Sales Drop Below One Million a Month for the First Time in Six Years
U.S. firearm background checks dip below million mark, ending six-year streak
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍United States
According to National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) data, July 2025 marked the first month in six years that gun-sales-related background checks fell below one million, coming in at approximately 975,000. This figure represents an 8.1% year-over-year decline and signals a continuing slowdown in the firearms retail market. NSSFs adjusted figures filter out non-sales-related checks to provide a clearer view of true retail transactions. The downturn follows a broader cooling trend throughout 2025, with multiple months dipping below pre-pandemic levels. Analysts cite economic headwinds and a political climate less threatening to gun rightsdue to Republican control of Congress and the presidencyas factors reducing urgency among buyers. While some states, like Colorado, have seen localized spikes in demand tied to new restrictions, these havent offset the national decline. The report also underscores the limitations of using raw FBI NICS numbers as a proxy for sales, noting that concealed carry permit checks and other administrative uses inflate the totals. By removing those, NSSFs adjusted numbers provide a more accurate pulse of the commercial firearms market.