BJS Releases Trends for Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 1999–2018: The First 20 Years of the Permanent Brady Act Period
The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, today released Trends for Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 1999–2018: The First 20 Years of the Permanent Brady Act Period. This third-party report, funded by BJS, summarizes statistics at the FBI, state and local levels related to background checks that were conducted on over 237 million applicants for firearm transfers or permits during the permanent Brady Act period, 1999–2018.
BJS began the Firearm Inquiry Statistics program in 1995 to provide national estimates of the total number of firearm applications received and denied pursuant to the Brady Act and similar state laws. This report summarizes the number of applications for firearm transfers and permits, denials that resulted from background checks, rates of denial, reasons for denial and other statistics from 1999 to 2018. Changes in federal and state laws related to firearm transfers are also summarized for the period.
| Title: | Trends for Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 1999–2018: The First 20 Years of the Permanent Brady Act Period (NCJ 309283) |
| Authors: | Brittni Lambing, Ron Frandsen, Jennifer Karberg, and Joseph Durso, Regional Justice Information Service |
| Where: | https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/trends-background-checks-firearm-transfers-1999-2018-first-20-years-permanent |
BJS funded this third-party report. It is not a BJS report and does not release official government statistics. The report is released to inform interested parties of the research or analysis contained within and to encourage discussion. BJS has performed a limited review of the report to ensure the general accuracy of information and adherence to confidentiality and disclosure standards. Any statistics included in the report are not official BJS statistics unless they have been previously published in a BJS report. Any analysis, conclusions, or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or policies of BJS or the U.S. Department of Justice.
About the Bureau of Justice Statistics
The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal federal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating reliable statistics on crime and criminal justice in the United States. Kevin M. Scott, Ph.D., is the acting director. More information about BJS and criminal justice statistics can be found at bjs.ojp.gov.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office – can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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