Toward better data for firearms background check research: the Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

Criminal history background checks on applicants for firearm transfers and permits are required by the federal Brady Act and various state laws. Since 1996, the FIST program has examined firearm laws and collected background check data via counts of applications for firearm permits and transfers, denials of applications, and reasons for denial. FIST surveys state and local agencies, and combines collected survey data with FBI NICS federal data.

While some firearms prevalence research uses the FBI NICS counts of firearm background checks as a proxy for measuring firearms purchases, these counts are not straightforward. FBI data contains uses of the NICS that may include checks for reasons other than a firearm transfer. This may result in an overestimate in the number of checks (and thereby, firearm purchases). The use of FIST data is more appropriate for this type of research than NICS data alone because FIST state and local data (45% of applications in 2014) include applications related only to a firearm transfer or purchase. This poster will present an overview of FIST methodology, some key findings from the most recent collection (2013/2014), multi-year trends, a brief comparison with NICS counts, and a summary of current research utilizing FIST data.

Authors

• Jennifer Karberg, Regional Justice Information Service

• Ronald Frandsen, Regional Justice Information Service

• David G. Mueller, Regional Justice Information Service