NICS Checks in the Trump Era Break May Record

Gun Watch ^ | 3 June, 2017 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

The NICS checks for May, 2017 were 1,942,677.  That is a new record for May. The next highest was in 2016, 1,870,000. It is obvious from the overlap of the red bar and the blue line in the chart.

The National Instant Criminal background check System  (NICS) checks continue to confound expectations. Instead of a continual fall during the Trump administration, there was a one time drop in January of 2017 followed by a seasonally adjusted rise that has broken the record for May.

The May 2017 checks are just under 104% of the previous record, set in 2016.

The absolute number of checks for May are lower than they were last month, but expected seasonal variations make May 2017 a record breaker.

It is unclear what is fueling the record breaking NICS numbers. There are several possible causes. The increase is likely a combination of them.

The violent actions of leftist reactionaries, combined with fear that a Trump Presidency could be overthrown by a media coup, could be a motivation for higher firearm sales.

The violence on the Left, as shown in Berkley, Portland, the District of Columbia, and San Francisco, has been well covered in the alternate media. The virulent hatred toward President Trump on Establishment media, is witnessed by both President Trump supporters and President Trump's enemies.

There are numerous stories of people on the left buying firearms for the first time.

Fear of a firearms market glut brought about a drop in firearms prices, as retailers did not want to be caught with an unsalable inventory.

Structural increases in the number of firearms owners may have increased the base level of sales.

Increasing optimism about the economy, a falling unemployment rate, and a record setting Dow Jones could be increasing sales of firearms as consumer confidence increases.

NICS checks include checks for carry permits. Carry permit numbers are at an all time high in the United States. Both new permits and renewals are increasing. This builds in an increased number of NICS checks without necessarily increasing firearms sales.  The trend in the states has been to reduce fees and impediments to both initial issuance of carry permits and their renewal.

The average ratio, over 15 years, is a little less than .6 NICS checks for each firearm added to the private stock.  10,699,334 Checks have been done in the first five months of 2017.

If that ratio holds true, about 6.4 million guns were added to the private stock in  2017 so far..

We may see another record month for Trump era NICS checks in June.

©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch

[marktwain]

Lots of sales out there. AR-15 clones for under $500, retail. Ruger 9mm pistols at $360.

[JamesP81]

I’d really be curious to see what NFA Form 1 and Form 4 numbers look like.

[Lady Heron]

Democrats are beating Americans up in the streets because we do not agree with them. Of course, people are buying guns.....dems are crazy today and dangerous.

[Grampa Dave]

This sums up why our second amendment is probably our most important amendment!

A few days ago, the mayor of London said that global warming was the biggest threat..

After the terror attacks this weekend: “London’s Mayor sticks with “safest global city in the world” line

Years ago, Churchill said:

Now after 7 decades of Brit PC bs and disarming the good Brits, this is their new rule!

Code Toad has created the American Version below:

You can not coexist with 3rd world savages wanting to cut your head off!

[alloysteel]

Scary-looking guns are more in demand than ever, that should set the sensitivities of the anti-gunners on edge.

This may not be for just “Stand your ground” home defense, this may be making ready for siege actions when various “protest” groups are no longer satisfied with smash and burn rallies.

Civil War II has been mentioned.

[PROCON]

Yup, the continued violence by the Left is motivation for patriots to arm-up.

[PROCON]

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[bgill]

With all that the Terrorist in Chief riled up and with all the craziness the demwits are stirring up, it is surprising the numbers are dropping.

[DaveA37]

“Of course, people are buying guns.....dems are crazy today and dangerous.”...

I’d suggest a few rinos needs be added to your statement. OTOH, I know of a few “democrats” that don”t fit the bill. I’d suggest you change the statement to read “Liberals”, there you would have a much larger group since not all liberals are democrats, some are worse.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’ve found the process to be fast and easy, considering how glutted the system is right now, and the fact that Mother Government runs it, LOL!

Also, it helps not being a Felon when it comes to buying legal firearms.

*SMIRK*

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Insane muzz the world over are driving cars into crowds, shooting innocents, setting off bombs, and stabbing. I think people are arming against that eventuality.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Ummm...article is about INCREASED NICS checks. They dropped one month only, in January.

[cyclotic]

I count for one of them

[Blood of Tyrants]

Got an email ad for a Del-ton AR15 for $399, regular price $700. Can’t beat that with a stick.

[stranger and pilgrim]

“It is unclear what is fueling the record breaking NICS numbers. There are several possible causes. The increase is likely a combination of them.”

It’s pretty easy to tell what’s causing the record-breaking numbers: guns are on sale. The wholesalers and online sellers are shedding inventory at fire sale prices. It’s a buyer’s market.

[Skybird]

Firearms sales and transfers numbers are hard to gauge. For example:

No NICS checks are required in places where the concealed carry permit or permit to purchase information is allowed to be entered on the ATF Form 4473. Purchaser or transferee is then “good to go.”

One NICS check is good for as many firearms purchases or transfers that are wanted at one transaction.

[calenel]

I’d suggest you change the statement to read “Liberals”

Most so-called liberals aren't really liberal at all. And as long as they don't try to impose their ideology on everybody else, who really cares what they do? The real problem is Progressives (of any party) who want to tell people how to live and don't mind trampling everybody's rights in the process of ordering society to their liking. Get rid of the Progressives and the "liberals" will stick to minding their own affairs.

[publius911]

Lots of sales out there. AR-15 clones for under $500, retail. Ruger 9mm pistols at $360.

Where? Finally.
I can afford to protect my community, my family and myself.

One of each sounds like a good start...

[publius911]

By the way, has Trump put a stop permitting Federal non-National Security Federal Agencies from buying up and stockpiling all the ammo manufactured the last 8 years?

Is there a Citizen ammo fire sale at discount in our future?

How about restoring the original substance of the phrase "Shall Not be Infringed"?
Taxing or requiring permits to buy ammunition is the clearest and fatal "infringement!"

[bgill]

But article doesn’t match the chart. Chart shows the exact opposite.