“Tag: gun sales”

The face of gun ownership is changing fast, a welcome trend that accelerated significantly when millions of first-time gun owners joined the ranks during the pandemic and widespread violence.

A Southwick Associates report predicts the increase in gun and ammunition inventory at retailers will reduce scarcity-driven purchases next year. The increased availability will be a welcome change, along with the anticipated continuation of the discount, rebate and incentive trend that hit the market in mid-2022.

According to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, 2022 is edging closer by the day to eclipsing all pre-pandemic annual gun sales totals, and this month, enthusiasts in Oregon are piling the numbers up.   

A Scope Report issued by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) last month included figures that reflect a gradual change in pistol-buying preferences. According to the trade organization’s findings, consumers are purchasing smaller handguns when it comes to those chambered in 9 mm Luger.

More than a million firearm sales in September resulted in the FBI conducting a National Instant Criminal Background (NICS) check. Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) puts the 30-day period’s total sales at roughly 1.3 million, making it the 38th month in a row with seven-digit figures.

For the past 37 months, more than 1 million firearm purchases have resulted in a NICS check, although published volume figures are likely underestimates, positioning 2022 as the third-highest year overall.

The FBI processed 3,081,724 NICS background checks in March—up more than 1/2 million from February.

On a year-over-year basis, the industry’s economic impact rose from $63.5 billion in 2020, to $70.52 billion in 2021. Jobs directly related to firearms, ammo and accessories increased by more than 33,000 in that 12-month span.

Even before Russia’s unprovoked Feb. 24 attack on Ukraine, the Australian Financial Review reported gun stores in the nation were out of stock or close to being so.