The total number of privately owned firearms in the United States has passed 500 million.
October 2023 marked the third-greatest October on record for gun sales.
According to a report from Ammoland, there was an estimated 1.33 million gun sales in October 2023, an 8.3% increase from October 2022.
Firearm sales for 2023 have surpassed 12 million.
The firearm sales follow the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and a mass shooting in Maine.
“The horrific attacks on Israel followed by the escalating hate speech toward Jewish Americans, coupled with the tragic murders in Maine, are reminders that every American has the right to legally purchase a firearm to provide for their own defense. October showed that Americans did this 1.3 million times, extending the million-plus background checks each month to 51 consecutive months,” said spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation Mark Olivia, according to the Washington Examiner.
Firearm sales are expected to increase through the holidays.
“We are seeing a spike in sales of concealed carry handguns, as well as tactical shotguns, and AR-15s; very similar to what happened during COVID, but on a smaller scale. We expect this bubble to continue to grow, along with our regular bump in sales going into the holidays,” noted Justin Anderson, the marketing director for Hyatt Guns of Charlotte, North Carolina.
American Faith reported in August that Federal Firearms License holders (FFLs) claimed President Biden was targeting them after his administration revoked the licenses of 122 FFLs during the last fiscal year.
In July 2023, the Truth About Guns said that in the current fiscal year “ATF has conducted 6,609 inspections of Federal Firearms Licensees … That’s closing in on 2022’s annual total of 7,502 for the entire year. ATF inspectors are conducting an average of 647.33 inspections across the nation per month, topping 2022’s monthly average of 587.66.”
“FFLs that willfully violate the law, however, must be held accountable,” she said. “ATF conducts inspections to ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations and to educate licensees on the specific requirements of those laws and regulations.”
