New data collected by the FBI shows an all-time high in the number of gun seizures ordered due to failed background checks between 2020 and 2021, with more seizure orders in the history of the federal firearms background check system.
In 2020, a total of 6,361 firearms retrieval referrals were issued to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in cases where the person’s background check was found to be ineligible for reasons including, but not excluded , criminal records, disqualification from military service records, mental health history, etc.
According to the data, an additional 5,203 referrals were issued in 2021. According to USA Today, 2021 has been added to the largest two-year total since the National Instant Criminal Background Check System began publishing data in 1998.
The number of referrals in 2020 skyrocketed in the month of June to a total of 1,406. 2021 had its monthly peak in March, with a total of 931 referrals.
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New data collected by the FBI shows an all-time high of gun seizures due to failed background checks between 2020 and 2021. (Brooks Kraft/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Individuals can challenge the refusal and/or ask why their initial request was rejected. Data shows that approximately 1.45% of NICS background checks processed in 2020 received final transaction status of ‘deny’, and 1.26% received final status of ‘deny’ in 2021.
The FBI noted that the retrieval orders represent a small fraction of the millions of gun checks processed in both 2020 and 2021. The data for 2022 has not yet been released.
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An individual’s background check may be ineligible for reasons such as, but not excluded, criminal records, disqualification from military service records, mental health history, etc. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The new data comes as states have been working to pass a number of gun laws in recent years, with Nebraska being one of the most recent states to take action. Conservative lawmakers in the United States are in the works to pass a bill that would allow unlicensed people to carry concealed weapons in Nebraska.
The FBI noted that the retrieval orders represent a small portion of the millions of gun checks processed in both 2020 and 2021. (iStock)
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There are currently 25 other states with laws that allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit, according to the Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Haley Chi-Sing is a Fox News digital production assistant. You can reach her at @haleychising on Twitter.