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FBI Background Checks For Gun Sales Have Hit An Annual Record Already, Fueled By Covid-19
by johan

    Gun retailers and industry analysts have attributed the pandemic increase to new buyers seeking guns for self-protection. This is being fueled by a climate of economic instability, with tens of millions of jobs lost and a dramatic slump in gross domestic product. They also attribute the strong gun sales to fears of rising crime and images of civil unrest and police brutality dominating the media.

    When asked about the dip in September background checks compared to earlier in the pandemic, Oliva said it’s “plausible that this number could actually have been higher, but inventory is low due to the sustained high demand.”

    That’s also the view of Larry Hyatt, owner of Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, N.C. He said an influx of urban customers, including women and senior citizens, have been buying up his stock of compact polymer semiautomatic handguns and other guns designed for self defense.

    “One reason September dropped off is that the supply of guns is not available,” said Hyatt. “The Smith & Wessons are sold out, the Springfields are sold out, the Rugers are sold out. All that’s left are the real expensive exotic guns, the rare guns.”