NRA disputes ‘Trump Slump’ narrative

By Christen Smith

The National Rifle Association said the media’s rumored “Trump Slump” is just that — an “exaggeration” propped up by the imperfect measurement of background checks.
The association claims, despite multiple media reports to the contrary, last month’s background checks signal a still-booming industry, ranking as the third busiest February in the federal system’s 19-year history.
“Comparing current data to the record high points doesn’t prove that sales have plummeted,” the association said. “It does indicate that the number of background checks performed – and so the number of permit applications and/or firearms purchases – is still at near-record levels.”
The association concluded by saying, “While ‘Trump Slump’ is a convenient phrase for a headline, it simply does not apply to background checks or gun sales.”
Checks processed through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check system serve as a proxy for gun sales nationwide — though not every application correlates to one firearm sold.
Some applicants buy more than one gun at a time and others may just be applying for a concealed carry permit. For these reasons, Guns.com and some industry analysts — including the National Shooting Sports Foundation — calculate an “adjusted” figure, which subtracts non-sales related checks from the total monthly number.
Firearms dealers

Source: Guns.com