2020 Firearm Sales Hit All-Time High

by
posted on January 12, 2021
** 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. **
gun-sales-hit-record.jpg

Firearm sales during 2020, as reflected by those processed through the FBI’s NICS system, set an all-time record—estimated at roughly 21 to 23 million, depending on source. By Nov. 1, the experts estimated the year had already eclipsed the previous high-water mark of 15.7 million, which was set in 2016. Eclipsing it by at least 5.3 million by year’s end, however, caught many by surprise.

Friday, March 20, 2020, now holds the record for the most NICS checks conducted by the FBI in a 24-hour period. Bear in mind, all records checked that day do not necessarily reflect the purchase of a firearm. The system is increasingly used for a variety of administrative purposes, including application and renewal of concealed-carry permits.

The year also took the title for most checks performed in a single week. That occurred from March 16 to March 22, with volume coming in at a staggering 1,197,788.

Total number of records processed through NICS for 2020—not just gun sales—totaled 39,695,315. That’s roughly 11 million more than the second-highest year, which was 2019. There were undoubtedly some delays, but overall lack of criticism on the FBI and its record-keeping were glaringly absent during the unprecedented sales period. Every month of 2020 established new high-water marks for the system, which began in 1998.

The trend may be slowing, though, according to Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting’s (SAAF) Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer. In a press release earlier this week he noted that, “…while December 2020 continued the year’s record-breaking pace—summing to almost 23 million units [firearms]—December’s 24 percent year-over-year increase was by far the smallest such monthly increase since March 2020.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation estimates total gun sales for 2020 came in at roughly 21,083,643, comparted to SAAF’s higher total. Although NICS figures provide a relative barometer of firearm sales, there are a variety of mitigating factors that prevent their precision. Purchases made by CCW holders in some regions of the country, for example, are not reflected in the number.

Latest

Leo Surplus Guns Horman
Leo Surplus Guns Horman

LEO Trade-Ins: The Sleeper Surplus Market

Although much of the budget-priced military surplus market has dried up, there are still affordable options among the long guns and handguns retired from law enforcement service.

Henry Repeating Arms Expands Spirit of the Corps Rifle Series

After much demand, Henry Repeating Arms is back with two attention-getting lever guns in honor of the U.S. Marine Corps and its 250 years safeguarding the globe.

Rifleman Review: Heritage Mfg. Roscoe

In recent years, Heritage Mfg. has expanded its centerfire offerings, and the Roscoe is one of the latest new models, a retro-styled revolver chambered for .38 Special that's capable of dedicated defensive use.

Chiappa Expands Rhino Revolver Lineup

Chiappa Firearms is updating its unique line of Rhino revolvers with several new models, giving consumers an all-new 10 mm Auto chambering, as well as complete stainless-steel construction.

Review: TandemKross Manticore X

In 2024, TandemKross (TK), best known for its high-quality competition upgrades for rimfire platforms, launched the first ever lower-receiver assembly designed for the rimfire Ruger 10/22 platform.

Rifleman Q&A: Surreptitious L.C. Smith

American Rifleman staff recently received the following question about markings on a possible L.C. Smith shotgun. Read what we learned:

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.