Newly-released FBI data shows that gun sales in October increased by nearly 20 percent compared to October 2015. A total of 2,333,539 background checks were processed through the bureau’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System for the month of October 2016.
Gun sales have increased each month since May 2015. The number of guns sold in October brings the year-to-date sales 22,206,233. Last year, there were 23,141,970 in total, suggesting that 2016 gun sales will well exceed that of the prior year by about 20 -30 percent.
November and December typically report the highest gun sales with December 2015 recorded as 3,314,594 individuals that applied for gun permits. As this year closes, people are even more determined to purchase guns as restrictions on the Second Amendment may pose a threat.
Scott Blick, a managing partner at Ammunition Depot, told the Washington Examiner, “Sales of handguns and ARs have been very strong. Hunting rifles have been about average. Ammunition sales are definitely following that pattern with sales of 9mm ammo and .223 ammo being extremely strong.”
This is the biggest October on record since the federal background check system launched in 1998. As the firearms industry heads into its busiest selling season, NICS could, very well, secure its biggest year ever by the end of November.
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