COVID-19: Spike in background checks for gun purchases since pandemic s onset
FDLE: More than 1.5 million background checks in 2020
Eight of the 10 highest months for background checks performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement occurred in the past year since the pandemic began.
Posted at 8:14 AM, Mar 12, 2021
and last updated 2021-03-12 08:14:38-05
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. â One year ago, the coronavirus pandemic onset spurred a surge in consumers clearing the shelves of all sorts of goods, from toilet paper to hand sanitizer to nonperishable foods.
It also caused a spike in background checks for gun purchases, according to records reviewed by Contact 5.
Spike in background checks for gun buyers since COVID-19 struck March 12, 2021 at 8:20 AM EST - Updated March 12 at 8:20 AM
One year ago, the coronavirus pandemic onset spurred a surge in consumers clearing the shelves of all sorts of goods, from toilet paper to hand sanitizer to nonperishable foods.
It also caused a spike in background checks for gun purchases, according to records reviewed by Contact 5.
Eight of the 10 highest months for background checks performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement occurred in the past year since the pandemic resulted in shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders in March 2020. Background checks for firearms performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (data courtesy of FDLE).
Gun sellers reporting ammunition shortages amid soaring firearm sales in 2020
Report: 8M people bought their 1st guns in 2020
While the demand for guns is cooling off, sellers say there is still a nationwide shortage of ammunition, and it s unclear when inventory will return to normal.
By: WPTV Staff
and last updated 2020-12-11 10:26:56-05
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. â While the demand for guns is cooling off, sellers say there is still a nationwide shortage of ammunition, and it s unclear when inventory will return to normal.
The owner of Guns and Range Training Center in West Palm Beach said most gun sales during the COVID-19 pandemic have been to first-time buyers, making up 80% of sales.