Firearm sales demonstrated resilience in April 2026, with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reporting 1,193,428 adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figures, marking a 1.6% increase from April 2025's 1,174,294.Guns.comNSSF This uptick reflects steady market demand as regulatory pressures mount in key states.
Virginia's Dramatic 79% Surge Amid Looming Restrictions
Virginia led the charge with a staggering nearly 79% year-over-year increase in background checks, propelling the state to 5th place for handgun checks and an impressive 2nd for long gun checks, despite ranking 12th in population.Guns.com This surge is directly tied to pending legislation aiming to ban sales of popular modern sporting rifles (MSRs) like the AR-15, which lawmakers hope will transform Virginia into a 'virtual gun desert.'
"That shows there’s a steady and increasing appetite among Americans for exercising their Second Amendment rights," noted Mark Oliva, NSSF’s managing director for public affairs. "This is especially true in states where antigun lawmakers are threatening Second Amendment rights."Guns.com
NFA Items Skyrocket 130%
Nationwide, National Firearms Act (NFA) items such as suppressors saw explosive growth, with 190,086 checks in April—a 130.3% jump from 82,519 the previous year.NSSF Virginia ranked second with 18,538 NFA checks, trailing only Texas (26,648), underscoring the rush to acquire these accessories before potential new hurdles.
This boom follows the 2025 elimination of the $200 NFA transfer tax, boosting suppressor registrations to over 5.7 million by January 2026—a 1,926% increase since 2010.Guns.com
Trends in Other States and Market Insights
Similar patterns emerged elsewhere: Connecticut's checks rose 28% amid proposed striker-fired handgun bans, while Rhode Island saw a 54% increase as MSR confiscation bills advance.Guns.com Top states for overall adjusted NICS included Texas, Florida, California, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.NSSF
What This Means for FFL Dealers
For Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders, these figures signal heightened demand but also compliance challenges. As states like Virginia push restrictive laws, ensuring seamless, legal transactions is paramount. At Firearm Cart, our compliance-first e-commerce platform equips dealers with tools for efficient NICS processing, inventory management, and regulatory adherence—helping you capitalize on surges without the risk.
Stay ahead of the curve: monitor state legislation, stock high-demand MSRs and NFA items, and leverage platforms like ours to thrive in this dynamic market.
