Despite Predictions, Black Friday Produced Record-Breaking Gun Sales

By Jenn Jacques

Media be damned, last Friday’s gun sales exceeded all expectations – retailers included.

Despite grim warnings in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, the FBI is reporting their National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) processed 185,713 total background checks on firearm purchase this year. That’s more background checks run on a single day since the system was launched almost two decades ago.

NICS numbers are the closest indication of gun sales since they determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms. Before ringing up a sale, cashiers call in a check to the FBI or to other designated agencies to ensure that each customer does not have a criminal record or is otherwise ineligible to complete their purchase. More than 230 million such checks have been made since the FBI launched the program in 1998.

From major retailers to local stores, the firearms industry as a whole is reporting record-breaking numbers from Black Friday.

“Black Friday sales on guns, gun accessories and ammunition were the strongest we’ve seen in our 77-year history,” said Ryan Repp, Brownells’ Communications Manager. “Sales started off first thing Thanksgiving morning, actually, and continued at a record pace through Cyber Monday.”

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Source:: Bearing Arms