Gun sales hit a record high for the fifth month in a row

[Gman]

Gun sales hit a record high for the fifth month in a row

The FBI conducted 1,795,102 firearm background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) in September, suggesting gun sales were at an all-time high that month.

The number of background checks represents a new record, up more than 20% from the previous September high set in 2012, when 1,459,363 background checks were conducted.
September is also the fifth month in a row to set a record for background checks. May, June, July, and August all saw record numbers.

The number of checks done in a particular month is generally seen as a proxy for how many guns were sold. This year alone over 15 million background checks have already gone through the NICS, which is more than were conducted in 2010 and every year prior (NICS began recording numbers of firearm related background checks in 1998).

The report warns that there is not a one-to-one correlation between background checks and firearm sales. There are multiple factors that could skew the numbers.

A single background check doesn’t represent the number of firearms that were purchased by an individual. According to CNN Money, only 5 states require a background check if you purchase a gun from a private individual at a gun show.

As for why sales are so high, Fortune reported in June that it could possibly be caused by Obama calling for stricter gun control laws. As Business Insider’s Sam Ro said, “gunmakers don't benefit from tighter gun control. They benefit when there are talks of tighter gun control but those talks go nowhere.”

Only criminals and governments that don't trust their citizens benefit from tighter gun control.

[sniper7]

Fuck Obama and the camel his dad rode in on.

[beast556]

Fuck Obama and the camel his dad rode in on.

I'm with sniper7 on this.

[Bailey Guns]

I have to admit I'm a little surprised by this. Every dealer I've talked to has said sales have been pretty slow. Not to mention all the incentives that are in effect and the lowest prices on guns I've seen in a long time would suggest sales are down. Guess not.

[muddywings]

I have to admit I'm a little surprised by this. Every dealer I've talked to has said sales have been pretty slow. Not to mention all the incentives that are in effect and the lowest prices on guns I've seen in a long time would suggest sales are down. Guess not.

I would be curious if the stats could be broken out by region/state or something. I'm curious if CO went through it's panic buy a few years ago and most people around these parts are still paying off their CC debt.
Good to see regardless.

[Mercula]

Thirds ^

I'm with sniper7 on this.

[BladesNBarrels]

"According to CNN Money, only 5 states require a background check if you purchase a gun from a private individual at a gun show."

Interesting link. I did not find the statement that only 5 states require a background check, but I did find this comment about the shooter in CT:

RiskyJim
Jun 23, 2015
I have lived in CT all of my life. I have over 40 years of shooting competition, hunting and target shooting experience. I practice safe firearms handling and taught it to all of my family and extended family. CT is home of the "toughest gun laws in the nation" even prior to Sandy Hook. Those laws didn't stop that tragedy. We had an assault rifle ban, gun owner liability laws, storage laws, Universal Background checks, assault rifle registration laws, handgun permit laws, no private sales at gun shows, laws upon laws ALL PRIOR TO SANDY HOOK. Nothing stops a killer from killing. They violate the highest law in the land, would they balk at a lesser law before committing a heinous crime? Only two things changed in reality following Sandy Hook, more guns added to the existing assault rifle ban and registration of those existing guns and magazines over 10 rounds. Will those laws stop someone bent on killing from killing? Absolutely not. It is the same logic as a bank robber fleeing the police in a high speed car chase who has to stop for a red light because he doesn't want a traffic ticket. Fix crime and mental health in America, unlike our Governor in CT who promises the world and cuts mental health funding first in order to keep business from fleeing the state. Shame on you Gov. Malloy!

[BushMasterBoy]

The FBI? LOL

[68Charger]

Since they're counting FBI background checks, would CO checks even be in there? since CBI does their own checks...

[Bailey Guns]

Colorado does bofum...a state check AND submits the info to NICS.