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

Weatherby New Magnums 01
Weatherby New Magnums 01

Enough Gun: Weatherby's New Mark V Frontier & Dangerous Game Rifle

Weatherby's new Mark V Frontier and Dangerous Game Rifle (DRG) are ultra-reliable, accurate and devastatingly powerful rifles designed to go after the nastiest creatures on four legs the world has to offer.

Preview: Safariland Pro Impulse Bluetooth

One of several new additions to Safariland’s Impulse line of hearing-protection solutions, the Pro Impulse Bluetooth is a set of Bluetooth-enabled earmuffs that is equally easy on your ears and your pocketbook.

Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson Model 19 Carry Comp

In our latest Gun Of The Week episode, we’re on the range with the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Carry Comp, a medium-size revolver chambered for .357 Magnum.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 26, 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.

The Overlooked Austrian: The Schwarzlose M1907 Machine Gun

Among the machine guns used by all the powers involved in World War I, the Austrian Schwarzlose is often forgotten. But this simple, reliable arm saw service for more than 20 years across two world wars.

New Hodgdon Reloading Manual, Sierra Bullets Announced

Hodgdon announced the launch of its 2026 reloading manual, while Sierra Bullets launched a collection of heavy-for-caliber bullets for handloaders.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.