Topline
Last month saw the sale of approximately 1.4 million guns in the United States. This is a 25% drop from last year, but a dramatic increase from pre-pandemic levels. The boom in U.S. firearms sales last year, driven by politics and protests, has subsided but does not disappear.
Tom Cai displays a long gun at Jimmy’s Sport Shop in Mineola (New York) on September 25, 2020. AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
According to Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting consulting firm, firearm sales nationwide fell 25.4% between August 2020 and August 2021. This is according to Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting. The company estimates monthly gun sales using federal background checks. This is the fourth consecutive month with double-digit gun sales drops compared to 2020. Purchases dropped 34.4% in July, 42.2% and 16.8% respectively in June and May. Last month saw more firearm sales than any August since 2020. It surpassed August 2019's gun sales by more then 200,000, and August 2018's by about 400,000.
Big Number
13.4 Million. This is how many guns were purchased in the United States so far this year. It's a decrease from the almost 15 million sold at this time in 2020 but still well above levels pre-2020, according to Small Arms Analytics and Forecasting.
Important Background
Last year, Americans bought a record 22.8million guns. This is 64% more than in 2019. According to industry experts, this record number of guns was purchased by Americans last year, an increase of 64% from 2019. Gun sales often rise during elections, particularly if gun enthusiasts are expecting tighter gun control measures. Forbes spoke with Jurgen Brauer, the chief economist of Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting. He said that these social and political factors were likely still at play. However, gun sales have declined slightly as fears about 2020 subside. Even though there are more cases and deaths than ever, Covid-19 fears may have declined. Despite President Joe Biden's support, progress on gun control legislation remains largely ineluctable.
Continue reading
Violence, Drugs and Fast Food: How Americans Have Risked Their Behaviors While in a Covid Lockdown (Forbes).
