Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2021

In 2021, more than 22.4 million applications for firearm transfers and permits were processed under the Brady Act, marking a 10% decrease from the surge in 2020. Of these, about 371,000 applications (1.7%) were denied, most often due to felony convictions, indictments, or arrests. The FBI handled over 11 million applications, while state and local agencies processed another 11 million, with slightly higher denial rates at the local level. The report highlights long-term trends: applications grew 160% from 1999 to 2021, while denials rose 82%, reflecting both growing demand and evolving checks on eligibility.