Background checks skyrocket in March due to gun sales

Though not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide a more accurate picture of current market conditions. In addition to other purposes, NICS is used to check transactions of firearms sales and transfers on new and used handguns and long guns. Gun background checks hit a peak at Christmas, and the trend seems to be staying strong. But there is a difference of opinion as to why we are seeing such high sales of firearms, and the background checks that come with that. “I believe it’s because of the political uncertainty, where we are at and also because of the economic uncertainty, the recession if you will,” Texas Gun Store Owner Burnie Stokes said. “Anytime you have those two factors figured in, there is a false, there’s a sense of insecurity, and people are going to try to protect themselves.” Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar feels differently: “There’s been a steady creep, an erosion of gun rights by cities and counties.” Back in January, many called for a statewide ban on the sale of high-capacity gun magazines like the one used to wound U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and kill six others. Furthermore, a larger focus on checks both from a federal and state perspective means that individuals are having to go through firmer checks prior to being able to own a firearms. Nonetheless, this trend with firearm background checks seems to represent the state of the background screening industry as a whole. Increased background checks and drug screening in employment is believed to represent how our economy is starting to recover, with things starting to move forward after the period of stagnation. We’ll keep an eye on these numbers, and let you know whether the trend continues.  ]]>