Dataset

The Statistical Abstract files are distributed by the US Census Department as Microsoft Excel files. These files have data mixed with notes and references, multiple tables per sheet, and, worst of all, the table headers are not easily matched to their rows and columns.

A few files had extraneous characters in the title. These were corrected to be consistent. A few files have a sheet of crufty gibberish in the first slot. The sheet order was shuffled but no data were changed.

The tables that were changed (this is table 324):

0166 0257 0362 0429 0445 0446 0459 0461 0462 0464 0465 0466 0467
0469 0479 0480 0481 0482 0483 0484 0485 0486 0487 0559 0628 0629
1144 1227 1231

This dataset consists of a table of 12 rows and 11 columns.

In thousands (69,912 represents 69,912,000), except rates

Footnotes

1. National totals from 1999 to 2005 combine Firearm Inquiry Statstics Program (FIST) estimates for State
   and local agencies with actual transactions and rejections reported by the FBI.
2. For the interim period of March 1, 1994, through November 29,1998, covered
   handgun transfers (most of the applications) and purchases from licensed
   firearm dealers. See report.
3. The period beginning November 30, 1998 (effective date for the Brady Handgun
   Violence Prevention Act, P.L. 103-159, 1993), covers the transfer of both handguns
   and long guns from a federal firearms licensee, as well as purchases from
   pawnshops and retail gun shops.
4. For the period of November 30, 1998, to December 31, 1998 counts are from the National
   Instant Criminal Background Check Systems (NICS) Operations Report (November 30, 1998, to
   December 31, 1999). Counts may include multiple transactions for the same application. See report.