Virginia State Police

Media Release
www.vsp.virginia.gov Administrative Headquarters 7700 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235 Contact: Corinne Geller, Public Relations Mgr., (804) 674-2789

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2012

Virginia State Police Firearms Transactions Center:

(1)The Virginia State Police Firearms Transactions Center fields all background check transaction requests from licensed gun dealers in Virginia. Keep in mind that the figures below do not represent the actual number of firearms purchased. The data below only accounts for the number of background checks requested...meaning one background check is done per customer not per weapon. So, one customer could be purchasing multiple firearms but only one background check is needed at that time of purchase. (2) VSP typically sees an increase in background checks this time of year due to the holiday, gift-giving season. (3) Background check/transactions are only done for sales through licensed gun dealers in Virginia. There is no way to track sales by private dealers or citizens in Virginia. Background Checks for Gun Purchases 279,209 = Jan 1, 2011 through November 30, 2011 357,267 = Jan 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012 (22% increase) 321,166 = Total volume of transactions for total CY 2011 321,166 = This amount exceeded in 2012 as of Nov. 10, 2012 November 2012 transactions increased 50% compared to November 2011 transactions. 2,770 transactions = Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 (26% increase) 2,048 transactions = Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 4,166 transactions = Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 (42% increaseand highest volume of transactions received in one day since implementation of the FTC program in 1989.) 2,422 transactions = Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 1,828 transactions = Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 (43% increase) 1,045 transactions = Sunday, Dec. 16, 2011 The same gun shows were held both 2011 and 2012 on the corresponding weekends (Prince William County and Fredericksburg): 2011 = 609 transactions compared to 2012 = 1,483 transactions (59% increase)