Gun background checks in January were second highest ever, FBI data shows
February 5th, 2013
08:39 AM ET

Gun background checks in January were second highest ever, FBI data shows

As the President continues to push for new gun control measures, new FBI data shows January was the second highest month on record for gun background checks.

FBI figures posted Tuesday show there were 2,495,400 background checks done through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System known as NICS. The number was more than a million higher than any previous January. The data does not indicate exactly how many weapons might have been purchased as some customers buy more than one gun at a time.

December was the number one record-setting month with 2,783,765 background checks.

The FBI does not comment on the data but makes it available on its website. But the figures typically show high numbers of background checks during the holiday shopping months of November and December. The background check numbers usually decline January. There also is often a spike in checks after dramatic incidents of gun violence. The NICS system was launched in November 1998 after being mandated by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993.

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Filed under: Gun Control
soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. James Chavez

    Glad to see background checks are being done.

    February 5, 2013 at 9:25 am | Report abuse |
  2. Ancient Texan

    "Universal"background checks would only list and track law abiding and legitiment citizens, not the bad guys, because they don't buy their guns there. They buy from a friend, a pawn shop, or steal them from legal owners during burglaries.The anti-gun fanatics know this but want the list for "future reference".

    February 5, 2013 at 9:58 am | Report abuse |
  3. chrissy

    Well duh! Now that there is a major media frenzy and people are being manipulated into believing their rights are going to be takin away theyre running out and buying all kinds of weapons!

    February 5, 2013 at 10:38 am | Report abuse |
  4. banasy©

    Annie, Get Your Gun.

    February 5, 2013 at 11:00 am | Report abuse |
  5. lola star

    they should get back ground checks

    February 5, 2013 at 12:02 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Me

    DAD, get your gun. Run'n'Gun Run'n'Gun Run'n'Gun Run'n'Gun Run'n'Gun Run'n'Gun Run'n'Gun

    February 5, 2013 at 12:03 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Big mister

    Why doesent the FBI comment on the data??? Btw get your guns people.

    February 5, 2013 at 12:06 pm | Report abuse |
  8. bob

    thats alot of background cheaks

    February 5, 2013 at 12:07 pm | Report abuse |
  9. joe bob

    everyone get your guns and ammo now and pass your backround checks

    February 5, 2013 at 12:19 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Jim is the man

    I thiink the only reason there is that many backround checks is because they are stocking up.

    February 5, 2013 at 12:33 pm | Report abuse |
  11. chrissy

    But you can just bet the crooks are still getting guns with no background checks!

    February 5, 2013 at 1:52 pm | Report abuse |
  12. 1608®

    Help me understand why you need to carry a gun to church.

    February 5, 2013 at 5:25 pm | Report abuse |
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