FBI Data Points To Increse In July Gun Sales Data released by the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) show 891,224 background checks were performed on the sale of firearms in July, a 17.6 percent increase from the 757,884 reported in July 2007. Adjusted state figures show background checks up 10.9 percent during the month. A total of 6,542,808 background checks have been reported by NICS so far this year. The increase coincides with an up-tick in excise taxes reported by firearms and ammunition manufacturers, an increase in small-arms production and a slight increase in hunting license sales -- all key economic indicators for the firearms industry.