Firearm Sales Heading Toward 20 Million Guns in 2020

by
posted on October 13, 2020
firearm-sales-streaking-toward-20-million-1.jpg

More guns have sold this year than ever before, and there are three months to go. The number of firearm purchases reflected by National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS) checks the FBI performed Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 reflects an all-time record, according to findings released by Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) last weekend.

“The 2020 year-to-date sales (January to September) now stand at 16.7 million and thereby exceed the previous annual high (January to December) set in 2016 with 16.6 million units sold,” SAAF Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer said in the news release. Volume for 2020 had already eclipsed 2019’s total by August.

For the month of September the organization found the number of firearm sales that resulted in a background check came in at roughly 1.8 million, which represents a 66 percent increase over the same period in 2019. Handgun sales led the way at .98 million.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s findings were slightly more conservative. It estimated total sales in September were roughly 16.1 million. While NICS serves as a barometer for total sales, precise numbers are not possible due to its comingling with other administrative use of the system.

It also processes and checks the status of many with concealed carry permits as well as performing other routine administrative duties. In addition, some regions of the country do not require law-abiding citizens with a valid carry permit to undergo a redundant background check when purchasing a firearm.

With the traditionally heavy holiday sales months of November and December on the horizon—as well as the contentious Presidential election in November—speculation already widely circulates that a figure of 20 million will be reached by Dec. 31.

Whether the once-unimaginable mark is possible or not may, however, be determined by ability of manufacturers to keep supply lines filled. In addition, Brauer noted while monthly sales improvement remains significant the pace’s acceleration has slowed. “…[T]he August and September in 2020 increases are the lowest since March 2020,” he said.

 

Latest

Long Wolf Timberwolf 19X Web
Long Wolf Timberwolf 19X Web

Review: Lone Wolf Arms Timberwolf 19X

In its Timberwolf 19X, Lone Wolf Arms focused on incremental updates and tweaks to the seminal Glock design, resulting in a versatile "crossover" handgun design capable of fulfilling a variety of roles.

May NICS Numbers Show Possible Improvement In Gun Sales

Despite the 1.6 percent year-over-year decline in firearm sales for the month of May, the 31-day period marks the 70th month in a row with more than 1 million gun sales.

2025 Shotgun Of The Year: SDS Arms MAC 1014

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson Model 1854

Smith & Wesson entered an entirely new market segment in 2024 with its Model 1854, and the lever-action has a few notable features that allow it to stand out in what's becoming a crowded market of modernized lever guns.

New For 2025: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

Mossberg is one of the pioneers of the "Shockwave" style of non-NFA, shotshell-firing firearms, and the company's latest design, the 990 Aftershock, is semi-automatic.

The Battle of Bunker Hill: 250 Years Later

The June 17, 1775, Battle of Bunker Hill marked one of the most pivotal moments in the early years in the American Revolution, as thousands of militiamen stood against determined assaults by British infantry outside Boston.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.