February 2026 NICS Numbers | OHUB News

The Nationwide Capturing Sports activities Basis (NSSF) has launched the revised Nationwide Instantaneous Legal Background Verify System (NICS) figures for February 2026, offering perception into present developments within the firearms market. As you recognize, I’ve been overlaying month-to-month NICS numbers for practically a 12 months. This can be a helpful technique to assess the business’s well being and analyze developments, such because the rising reputation of NFA gadgets.

Reminders

As at all times, a NICS verify solely confirms {that a} background verify was performed — not what number of firearms have been listed on a 4473. There isn’t a direct hyperlink between checks and the variety of weapons bought. Personal-party transfers, that are authorized in lots of states, are additionally not included. Moreover, 28 states now have at the very least one certified different allow below the Brady Act, permitting allow holders to purchase firearms with out an additional NICS verify. Ohio, for instance, accepts a sound CCW license as an alternative of a point-of-sale background verify. The NSSF-adjusted numbers exclude non-firearm checks to provide a extra correct estimate.

The Numbers

The February 2026 NSSF-adjusted NICS determine got here in at 1,265,320, a 3.5% improve from the February 2025 adjusted determine of 1,222,980.

For comparability, the unadjusted FBI NICS determine for February 2026 was 1,933,972, a 13.5% lower from 2,236,637 in February 2025. This highlights a distinction between firearm checks and allow checks and rechecks.

NFA Checks Proceed to Surge

Beginning in 2026, NSSF will start reporting month-to-month Nationwide Firearms Act (NFA) background checks for Kind 1 and Kind 4 gadgets, offering extra perception into suppressor and different NFA-regulated merchandise exercise.

The whole NFA checks for February 2026 reached 209,023, a 167% improve from 78,295 in February 2025. Thanks, $0 switch charges! This pattern will proceed all through 2026.

Prime 5 States for NFA Checks (February 2026)

1. Texas — 27,986
2. Florida — 14,629
3. Virginia — 14,230
4. Georgia — 8,806
5. North Carolina — 8,128

The states with the very best variety of adjusted NICS checks in February have been:

• Texas
• Florida
• California
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia

The identical 5 states additionally led the nation in FBI handgun checks, whereas the highest states for FBI lengthy gun checks have been Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, California, and Virginia.

Zooming Out

General, February’s numbers present a modest rebound in background verify exercise in comparison with the identical time final 12 months, even because the uncooked FBI totals declined. The three.5 p.c improve in NSSF-adjusted checks signifies regular client demand because the market strikes via the early months of 2026. In the meantime, the dramatic surge in NFA checks highlights ongoing curiosity in suppressors and different regulated gadgets.

For extra Outside HUB information, click on here.

Sources:

Cory Ross

Cory Ross labored within the firearms business for practically 13 years earlier than shifting to writing full-time. Throughout that interval, he was lucky to work with and construct relationships with some unbelievable individuals and firms. He additionally accomplished a Grasp of Arts in Historical past from Cleveland State College, the place he targeting American Imperialism. Whereas he loves taking pictures and all issues firearm, his different hobbies embrace coaching, gear, studying, movie, and watches. He contributes to a number of different publications, together with Outside HUB, The MDT Weblog, Athlon Properties, Weapons & Ammo Precision Rifle Shooter, E-book of the AR-15, Capturing Instances, Safariland Cadre Dispatch, The Armory Life, and Capturing Information Weekly, amongst others.