Gun Sales Surge To Record High In 2020 Amid Lockdowns, Riots, and Election Chaos

CBS News is among the many news outlets reporting on the record surge in gun sales during 2020, citing a report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) that 17.2 million background checks were completed this year, versus 15.7 million in 2016, the previous record for gun sales. The foundation also reported that 58 percent of firearm purchases were among African American men and women, the largest increase of any demographic, as well as record highs of first-time buyers (they say you never forget your first, and they’re right).

3.9 million NICS checks in June. Highest number in the 20-year history of the background check system, and the third month in 2020 with more than 3-million checks. pic.twitter.com/rAfLNO2QEm

— Cam Edwards (@CamEdwards) July 1, 2020

Gun sales apparently spiked amid the Covid lockdowns in March, and then surged again following the death of George Floyd and subsequent riots across the country. The NSSF said that

“Politically charged calls to defund police also continue to spur sales.”

Shocked!! Telling people our police force at large will the be defunded while our leaders stand flat footed, no longer able to protect us made everyone gain a renewed appreciation for our second amendment – AND make people want to protect their families….? Shocked I tell you! https://t.co/mvPdNKW2pN

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 1, 2020

NSSF spokesman Mark Oliva said,

 ” The record sales come during a year in which Americans have faced a pandemic, economic downturn, prisoner releases, racial tension, and rioting. Those factors, as well as a contentious presidential election, have driven sales throughout the year, according to industry experts. And those gun sales—especially to new owners—are now likely to drive votes.”

“Americans of all political persuasions are exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and doing so in record numbers.”

I’d hazard a guess that people were also hedging their bets against potential election outcomes. Joe Biden has promised to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and to implement universal background checks.

It’s long past time we take action to end the scourge of gun violence in America.

As president, I’ll ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, implement universal background checks, and enact other common-sense reforms to end our gun violence epidemic.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 1, 2020

Additionally, Biden promised to put Beto ORourke in charge of gun control.

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Load up while you can because this gun-grabber is gonna take your guns faster than Hitler and Stalin did.https://t.co/UTBVi0KhOl

— Wyatt Spivey (@wyatt_spivey_15) November 8, 2020

During a campaign event in Dallas, Texas, ORourke’s home state, Biden took the stage with ORourke and said,

“I want to make something clear, I’m going to guarantee you this is not the last you’ve seen of him. You’re going to take care of the gun problem with me. You’re going to be the one who leads this effort.”

Beto ORourke had previously dropped out of the Democratic presidential primaries, but not before he famously became perhaps the first democrat politician to tell the honest to goodness truth about his real intentions for strict gun control:

“Hell, yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47. We’re not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore.”

But it isn’t just gun sales that are up. So are memberships at gun clubs across the country.

At the Black Bottom Gun Club in Michigan, membership has soared by 70% in recent months with gun sales also booming, fueled by fears of election-related unrest pic.twitter.com/vLGXkoAobc

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 2, 2020

Because what good is a gun if you don’t know how to shoot it? Shooting is one of our favorite family activities and we make time for it frequently. At family reunions we always have a variety of competitions, from skeet to distance rifle to precision handgun (I hold many of the family records). Being married to a soldier, gun safety is a priority in our home, as is gun proficiency. As I’ve said before, the 2nd Amendment is definitely one of our favorites, and it appears we aren’t the only ones.