NICS is not perfect for all sorts of reasons, but it is the best data available unless you have insider access at multiple gun manufacturers and distributors. And if one had that insider data, it would be illegal to use it (in what I do). So, NICS is good enough.
You know the saying, don't let "perfect" hold you back from "good enough".
Specifically, I understand the reason you point out - that NICS doesn't capture face-to-face private-party sales in certain states - but it is not important to me. I'm interested in revenue to the gun industry, and private-party sales of used guns don't count. Kind of like, if you're trying to track the health of Ford Motor Co, private party sales of Ford cars aren't important.
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Originally Posted by Rick Lee
I wouldn't use NICS stats for measuring gun buying trends. Plenty of states allow face-face, private party sales with no paperwork. I know people, even some Pelicans, who will not do a gun deal that requires paperwork. I've bought or sold probably seven guns in the last year and have filled out paperwork for two of them. And I'm a total lightweight. NICS stats are for folks who buy online from out of state or stumble across something in a gun store they can't live without (happens to me sometimes). But I do parking lot deals all the time.
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