Photo courtesy of the NSSF
It’s official; 2020 has seen more background checks conducted for likely gun sales than ever before. Data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) shows that 17.2 million background checks were conducted this year for firearms purchases, shattering the previous record from 2016 of 15.7 million.
Not only has this year seen firearms bought in record numbers, but there are also nearly 7 million new firearms owners, according to the NSSF data.
“This much is clear as we head into Election Day. Americans of all political persuasions are exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and doing so in record numbers. This hasn’t been a phenomenon of just red states, but also blue states. Never before have so many Americans chosen to exercise their right to firearm ownership, including the estimated 6.9 million who purchased a firearm for the first time this year. Additionally, this has been a sustained period of firearm sales since March. This is clearly not a one-off event,” said Mark Oliva, director of public affairs for the NSSF.
The NSSF-adjusted number of background checks more accurately represents the number of gun sales by factoring out checks from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) that are unlikely to be conducted for the purpose of a firearm purchase.
It’s abundantly clear that amidst societal unrest, a global pandemic, and with a presidential election looming, Americans have recognized the importance of exercising their Second Amendment rights.
“Unfortunately, today’s gun buyers were given proof throughout the year of why self-defense rights are critical,” said Oliva.
These gun owners have been voting with their wallets throughout the year, but, as this year’s election is upon us, it is now time to also vote at the ballot box.
Today’s gun buyers are faced with polar opposites of presidential candidates when it comes to protecting Second Amendment rights. President Donald Trump has preserved this right with sound judicial picks and more; whereas former Vice President Joe Biden, and his running mate Senator Kamala Harris, have both embraced gun confiscation, onerous restrictions, the appointment of judges who would take away this right, and more.
To protect the right to keep and bear arms, Americans need to vote for their freedom.
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