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Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2007 - Statistical Tables


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Table 2. Number of applications and denials, by type of agency and type of check, 1999-2007
Type of checks conducted 2007 1999-2007a
Applications    Denials  Percent denied Applications  Denials Percent denied
  National total (FIST and FBI)  8,658,245 135,817 1.6 %    74,440,077 1,316,860 1.8 %
  FBI total 5,136,883 66,817 1.3   42,346,182 610,180 1.4  
  State and local total (FIST)b 3,521,362 69,000 2.0   32,093,895 706,680 2.2  
State agencies            
     Total 3,022,215 56,452 1.9 % 27,422,994 605,171 2.2 %
  Instant checkc 2,041,059 36,887 1.8   19,125,647 462,268 2.4  
  Purchase permitd 307,949 8,715 2.8   2,841,538 66,288 2.3  
  Exempt carry permite 264,029 5,885 2.2   1,775,040 37,373 2.1  
  Other approvalsf 409,178 4,965 1.2   3,680,769 39,242 1.1  
Local agenciesg            
     Total 676,995 12,548 1.9 % 5,441,672 101,509 1.9 %
  Purchase permitd 408,484 8,822 2.2   3,456,330 73,506 2.1  
  Exempt carry permite 215,197 3,332 1.5   1,530,940 24,282 1.6  
  Other approvalsf 53,314 394 0.7   454,402 3,721 0.8  
Note: Counts are rounded to the nearest 1,000.
aTotals for the 9-year period include December 1998.
bAgencies that conduct exempt carry permit checks in Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming request an FBI background check, but the state agency makes the decision to approve or deny an applicant. Applications in these states are included in FBI checks but denials are included in state and local checks, causing a reduction of FIST total applications by 177,848 in 2007 and by 770,771 for 1999 to 2007.
cInstant check requires a seller to transmit a buyer's application to a checking agency by telephone or computer; the agency is required to respond immediately or as soon as possible.
dPurchase permit systems require a buyer to obtain, after a background check, a government-issued document such as a permit, license, or identification card that must be presented to a seller in order to receive a firearm.
eExempt carry permit is a state concealed weapons permit, issued after a background check, that exempts the holder from a new check at the time of purchase under an ATF ruling or state law.
fOther approval systems require a seller to transmit an application to a checking agency with transfers delayed until a waiting period expires or the agency completes a check.
gTotals were estimated. See Methodology for more detail.

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