Virginia Gun Sales Explode Ahead of AR-15 Ban

Americans weren’t waiting around.

Newly released NSSF-adjusted NICS background check figures show firearm purchases jumped sharply in June, led by huge spikes in Virginia and Rhode Island as gun buyers rushed to purchase Modern Sporting Rifles before state bans took effect on July 1.

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, there were 1,123,006 adjusted background checks in June 2026, an 11.7% increase over June 2025.

But the biggest story came from states where lawmakers approved new restrictions on America’s most popular rifle.

Virginia recorded 123,699 background checks, a staggering 241% increase over June 2025. Rhode Island followed with a 201% increase, totaling 7,815 background checks during the month.

NSSF Managing Director of Public Affairs Mark Oliva said the numbers reflect how Americans respond when lawmakers threaten to restrict firearm ownership.

“This is what freedom looks like,” Oliva said. Our right to keep and bear arms begins at the gun counter and states like Virginia and Rhode Island chose to throttle the Second Amendment rights of their citizens by ending the legal sale of the most-popular selling centerfire rifle in America – the Modern Sporting Rifle – on July 1.

Oliva added that gun owners “spoke with their wallets” before the bans took effect.

The surge also comes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear challenges to state bans on so-called assault weapons, including cases involving Illinois and Connecticut.

“NSSF is encouraged that the U.S. Supreme Court is finally granting review to challenges against laws that restrict the sale of these commonly possessed rifles,” Oliva said. “We are confident that the day will come soon when these unconstitutional restrictions will be overturned.”

NFA Market Continues to Grow

The report also highlights continued growth in suppressor and National Firearms Act transfers. NFA background checks reached 166,677 in June, a 177.1% increase over June 2025.

The top five states for NFA checks were:

• Texas: 23,133
• Virginia: 18,235
• Florida: 11,782
• North Carolina: 6,785
• Georgia: 6,711

Meanwhile, the top five states for adjusted NICS background checks overall were:

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Virginia
4. California
5. Pennsylvania

As always, NSSF reminds readers that adjusted NICS figures are not a direct measure of firearm sales, since a single background check can involve multiple firearms, while many permit holders in certain states can legally purchase firearms without an additional NICS check.

Still, June’s numbers paint a pretty clear picture. Faced with looming rifle bans, thousands of Virginians and Rhode Islanders decided they weren’t going to wait until it was too late.

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