America's Most Armed States

The Daily Beast weighed state data from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System for the last 18 months and divided the number of background checks by state population for the ranking.

However, states are not consistent in reporting NICS data. Some use the system for background checks on purchases on the secondary market and others do not. Also, Kentucky implemented monthly NICS checks on concealed weapons, which inflates its numbers.

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America’s Most Armed States

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America's Most A... The Daily Beast weighed state data from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System for the last 18 months and divided the number of background checks by state population for the ranking.
However, states are not consistent in reporting NICS data. Some use the system for background checks on purchases on the secondary market and others do not. Also, Kentucky implemented monthly NICS checks on concealed weapons, which inflates its numbers.

(iStock Photo)

More From The Daily Beast:
America’s Most Armed States

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
8. South Dakota NICS Background Checks per 100,000 Residents: 13,624

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
7. North Dakota NICS Background Checks per 100,000 Residents: 13,952

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
6. Wyoming NICS Background Checks per 100,000 Residents: 13,986

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
5. Alaska NICS Background Checks per 100,000 Residents: 14,616

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
4. West Virginia NICS Background Checks per 100,000 Residents: 15,718

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
3. Montana NICS Background Checks per 100,000 Residents: 16,888

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
2. Utah NICS Background Checks per 100,000 Residents: 46,898

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
1. Kentucky NICS Background Checks per 100,000 Residents (Sept. 2010 – Feb. 2012) : 78,703

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
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