How Many Is 3 Million? December NICS Checks, To Start

by
posted on January 5, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg (1)

More than 3 million NICS checks conducted in December helped elevate 2015 to an all-new gun sales record. Those numbers are lofty, so to put things in perspective for your watercooler conversations today, here are some other things that amount to roughly 3 million. 

City: Chicago’s population

State: Number of people in Utah

Country: Population in Kuwait

Celebrations: Attendees at November’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

Victims: Polish Christians killed during the Holocaust

Serving: Members of the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II

Banking: Estimated annual earnings of Ronda Rousey

Working: Workers worldwide who telecommute at least part time

Educating: Public school teachers in the United States

NICS Checks: 3,314,594 law-abiding citizens underwent a NICS background check in December, elevating 2015’s annual total to record-shattering 23,141,970—roughly the number of jobs created by women-owned companies in the U.S. 

Latest

Colt Enhanced Patrol Rifle Ii Pro Review 1
Colt Enhanced Patrol Rifle Ii Pro Review 1

Review: Colt Enhanced Patrol Rifle II Pro

For many AR-15 enthusiasts, the Colt 6920 remains the benchmark for a solidly built rifle. The company's new Enhanced Patrol Rifle II Pro builds on that legacy with a number of welcome updates.

Winchester Ammunition: More Than Just Ammo

Winchester Ammunition has proven its commitment to the community through several initiatives that show the company is dedicated to making more than just ammunition.

CSG Trading Debut "Largest Defense IPO Ever Recorded"

Czechoslovak Group (CSG), which owns Federal, CCI, Hevi-Shot, Remington Ammunition, Speer and Fiocchi, went public on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange in January.

Rifleman Review: Taurus 850 Revolver

One of Taurus' latest offerings is the 850, which builds on the company's earlier 650 design, providing the same shrouded-hammer design in a .38 Special-only chambering.

The 110 RF: Savage's Flagship Rifle Goes Rimfire

The Savage Arms 110 action has been a hallmark within the rifle world since 1958. Now, for the first time, the full-size 110 action is available in a rimfire chambering.

Thanking the Old Dominion University ROTC Cadets Who Stopped a Terrorist Attack

On the morning of March 12, 2026, a routine Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps leadership lab at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., turned into a fight-or-flight situation.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.