The total number of background checks in Texas conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) increased by 21 percent between February and March, a difference of about 30,000 checks.
Checks for LTC applications increased the most, rising from 22,000 in February to almost 29,000 in March.
The total for the month was the highest since June 2021, before the Firearm Carry Act of 2021 — often referred to as “constitutional carry” — went into effect.
Though an LTC is no longer required to carry a handgun in most public places, some locations such as the State Capitol still require it, and Texans with an LTC can carry their handgun in states with reciprocity arrangements.
Those with an LTC can also purchase a firearm without going through an additional background check, as they have already had one conducted to obtain the license.
Checks for long gun sales also increased from 31,000 in February to 38,000 in March, and those for handgun sales increased from 67,000 to 82,000.
The monthly NICS checks for both types of gun sales in March 2022 were slightly down from the numbers seen in March 2021, which spiked after the statewide freeze and power outages in the preceding month.
A similar trend has occurred at the national level, where checks for carry permit applications and gun sales have increased after seeing a lull over the previous two months.
However, checks for permits have increased since a year prior nationally, while they still remain lower in Texas.
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Daniel Friend
Daniel Friend is the Marketing and Media Manager for The Texan. After graduating with a double-major in Political Science and Humanities, he wrote for The Texan as a reporter through June 2022. In his spare time, you're likely to find him working on The Testimony of Calvin Lewis, an Abolition of Man-inspired novel and theatrical podcast.