August 2026 adjusted NICS checks rose 2.2% to 1,115,410 - the sixth straight month of growth - while NFA checks tripled after a court deregulated suppressors. Here is what the data means for FFL dealers heading into Q4.
Adjusted firearm-related NICS checks reached 1.115 million in August 2026, up 2.2% from last year, while NFA checks more than tripled.
Aero Precision, Ballistic Advantage, Stag Arms and VG6 return under new ownership; August NSSF-adjusted NICS checks edge up 2.2%; and NSSF, ATF and DOJ push straw-purchase education in Florida — this week's top stories for FFL dealers.
The administration let 90-year-old silencer regulations lapse after a federal court ruling, while a proposed rule could open direct-to-home gun shipping. Here is what FFL dealers need to know this week.
The NICS numbers come from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and they are a rough correlation to firearms sales in the U.S.; licensed dealers must check the NICS database before a sale, and when you add up all those queries, you have your NICS numbers for the month.
An analysis of the key legal, legislative, and regulatory forces reshaping the firearms market in mid-2026 — including the Virginia AR ban injunction, SCOTUS review of assault weapons bans, the OBBB suppressor tax elimination, and actionable recommendations for FFL dealers.
Learn how to get an FFL license with this complete step-by-step guide. Covers FFL types, eligibility requirements, ATF Form 7, fees, background checks, and the ATF interview process.
Learn how to get an FFL license step by step. This guide covers FFL eligibility requirements, license types, ATF Form 7, fees, the compliance interview, and everything you need to become a licensed firearms dealer.
A complete guide to becoming and operating as an FFL dealer in the United States. Covers FFL license types, the application process, and key ATF compliance requirements for new licensees.
A comprehensive guide to becoming and operating as an FFL dealer in 2026. Learn the eligibility requirements, how to complete ATF Form 7, what ongoing compliance looks like, and how to run a lawful firearms business from day one.