New Gun Sales Record Set

by
posted on December 1, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg
Black Friday now holds the record for the highest volume of inquires processed in a single day by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), and continues the phenomenal gun-sales pace of 2015.

Each check doesn’t represent a gun purchase, but it is the best barometer available. The previous record was set on Dec. 21, 2012, with 177,170 NICS checks. On Nov. 27, 2015, that high-water mark was shattered when 185,345 requests were made of the system.

For the four-day, traditional opening of the holiday shopping season, NICS checks were up 9.9 percent when compared to the same period last year. Total figures for November haven’t been posted on the FBI website yet, but strong sales into October, coupled with last Friday’s performance, indicate this year is poised to eclipse 2013’s record-setting total of 21,093,273.

Not all Americans are contacted for their opinion on the Second Amendment, but they’re certainly voicing their opinions with their pocketbooks.

Latest

Growth Sending Strong Signals
Growth Sending Strong Signals

Firearm Industry Rebound on the Horizon?

Several industry developments indicate the post-pandemic decline in gun sales may finally be coming to a halt. Here's what that means for consumers.

Preview: Adapteur & Silencieux Silencer Adapter

Cleverly designed and precisely made in France by Adaptateur & Silencieux, the Ruger Mark IV, III and II Silencer Adapter allows those classic models to accept suppressors.

Review: Yankee Hill Machine Victra-12 Shotgun Suppressor

Yankee Hill Machine has recently released its Victra-12 shotgun suppressor, which promises to quiet the report of a 12-gauge shotgun while adding less weight than ever before.

A Clear Advantage: The Shield Sights OSMx Competition Red-Dot

Based on its OMSsc red-dot optic introduced last year, Shield Sights has launched the larger, competition-oriented OSMx red-dot for 2026.

Gun of the Week: Taurus 66 Combat Revolver

Taurus USA recently expanded its revolver line with the 66 Combat, a larger, all-steel revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. Watch our "Gun of the Week" video to see the 66 Combat in use on the range.

The Armed Citizen® March 6, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.