Gun Sales Numbers Bucking Election Year Trends

by
posted on August 11, 2024
** 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. **
Slow Election Year Gun Sales
Photo courtesy of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

For six months in a row, monthly sales estimates from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)—based on the volume of National Instant Criminal Background Systems (NICS) checks performed by the FBI prior to a firearm purchase—have been down when compared to the same periods in 2023. The trend defies what has become something of a rule of thumb in the industry: Contentious presidential election races fuel demand.

There’s no doubt manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers are watching the situation closely. There are number of possible catalysts, including inflation, oversaturation during COVID’s heightened safety concerns, relative vacuum of political rhetoric targeting the Second Amendment and others. It’s more likely a combination of several, but rather than hazarding a guess, here’s a look at the figures below.

December 2023 was the last month that saw a year-over-year increase in the NSSF gun-sale estimate. That traditional holiday shopping season came in up by 1.6 percent when compared to 2022 figures. Positive results stopped summarily on New Years Day.

January 2024 suffered a decline of 5.8 percent. February came close to tying 2023 numbers, but it was still down by .01 percent—admittedly not enough to move most FFL needles.

What came in March was a big one, though—a drop of 7.4 percent. April was even worse with an 11.2 percent decline.

There was no letup with the numbers in May and June, either. They came in below 2023’s figures down 7.2 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.

There is some good news, however. June 2024 was the 59th month in a row that more than 1 million firearms purchases were reflected in NICS background checks.

That month also showed the lowest loss—in percentage points—since February. With luck, it signals the shift toward the positive column. We’ll let you know when final figures are in.

Latest

Mossberg 940 Pro New Models 01
Mossberg 940 Pro New Models 01

Mossberg Introduces SPX & Professional Models To 940 Pro Tactical Line

Mossberg has expanded its popular 940 Pro Tactical shotgun line with SPX and Professional models, with each adding a slate of upgraded components and accessories designed to enhance the shotgun's capabilities.

Preview: Streamlight Sidewinder X

This high-output, multi-fuel, military-style light with a tilting head is perfect for hunters and home defenders looking for more than just a handheld light...

The Armed Citizen® July 4, 2025

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

A Guide To Double-Stack 1911s

The 2011 brings double-stack capacity and modular upgrades to the 1911 platform, but not every wide-body 1911 out there earns that name.

Legislators Enjoy Afternoon Of Clays With Benelli USA, Among Others

A bipartisan group of Maryland state legislators met with firearm industry manufacturers and representatives for a day of clays shooting while also attending discussions on the positive economic impacts of the shooting sports.

2025 Ammunition Product Of The Year: Winchester .21 Sharp

For continuing to innovate, particularly in a corner of the ammo world that has seen very little recently, we named the Winchester .21 Sharp as our Ammunition Product Of The Year.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.