Record Number of Oregon Gun Sales Reported on 'Black Friday‏'

During the month of November 2008, there was an average of 720 daily transactions. This was an increase from one year ago when there was an average of 437 transactions in November 2007.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon State Police Firearms Instant Check System or "FICS" program, had its busiest day for firearm sale transactions on

"Black Friday" was the busiest day for firearm sale transactions in Oregon, since the "FICS" program was implemented for background checks in 1996. The Oregon State Police Firearms Instant Check System unit provides a service to all Federally Licensed Firearms dealers in the state of Oregon by conducting the Firearms Instant Check backgrounds on persons attempting to purchase a firearm, state officials said.

On Friday, November 28th, FICS staff processed 2,198 background checks. On November 23rd 2007, last year's "Black Friday", there were 1,610 transactions. The previous record number of single day transactions occurred three years ago on "Black Friday" when there were 1,731 transactions.

FICS statistics reflects the following transaction numbers for the days preceding and following "Black Friday":
Monday, November 24th – 514 transactions
Tuesday, November 25th – 551 transactions
Wednesday, November 26th – 708 transactions
Thursday, November 27th (Thanksgiving holiday) – Closed
Friday, November 28th – 2,198 transactions
Saturday, November 29th – 1,032 transactions
Sunday November 30th – 303 transactions
Monday, December 1st – 558 transactions
Tuesday, December 2nd – 599 transactions
Wednesday, December 3rd – 640 transactions

During the month of November 2008, there was an average of 720 daily transactions. This was an increase from one year ago when there was an average of 437 transactions in November 2007.

During the calendar year 2007, FICS processed 145,775 transactions. Between 1996 and 2007, FICS processed a total of 1,158,298 transactions.

Approximately 2 percent of all transaction requests are denied each year because the firearms purchaser was prohibited from possessing a firearm. In 2007, FICS background checks helped recover 69 stolen guns and provided information to law enforcement agencies that led to 85 arrests.

FICS is funded through a current user fee of $10.00 per transaction and is open everyday from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM except Thanksgiving and Christmas as mandated by law.

The unit is also responsible for conducting background checks for private party sales at gun shows, and is responsible for processing stolen gun checks against the stolen weapons files in LEDS and NCIC for the dealers and any private citizen requesting this service. There is no fee for processing the stolen gun checks. To check a firearm against the stolen record files, call 1-800-432-5059.