Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2021

• NCJ Number: 310167
• Date Published: August 2025
• Length: 29 pages
• Agencies: BJS
• Publication Type: Publication; Statistics

Abstract

This report is the 19th in a series produced by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. It details the number of applications for background checks for firearm transfers and permits received by the FBI and state and local checking agencies. It also describes the types of permits or checks used by each state, the number of denials issued by these agencies, and the reasons for denial.

Highlights

• The FBI and state and local checking agencies received about 22.4 million applications for firearm transfers and permits in 2021, a 10% decrease from 25.0 million in 2020.
• About 371,000 (1.7%) applications for firearm transfers and permits were denied in 2021.
• From 1994, when the Brady Act became effective, to 2021, over 314.1 million applications were subject to background checks and about 4.8 million (1.5%) applications were denied.
• The FBI received more than 11.1 million applications in 2021 and denied about 154,000 (1.4%), while state and local checking agencies received more than 11.3 million applications and denied about 217,000 (1.9%).

Highlights

• The FBI and state and local checking agencies received about 22.4 million applications for firearm transfers and permits in 2021, a 10% decrease from 25.0 million in 2020.
• About 371,000 (1.7%) applications for firearm transfers and permits were denied in 2021.
• From 1994, when the Brady Act became effective, to 2021, over 314.1 million applications were subject to background checks and about 4.8 million (1.5%) applications were denied.
• The FBI received more than 11.1 million applications in 2021 and denied about 154,000 (1.4%), while state and local checking agencies received more than 11.3 million applications and denied about 217,000 (1.9%).