Biden gun ban and crime wave spark higher sales

The recent slowdown in gun sales reversed last month, likely the result of new threats from President Joe Biden to ban some guns and tax others, according to industry officials.

After record-setting sales turned slightly lower last year, January saw a 6.5% spike in FBI gun sales background checks, according to new data.

Sellers told Secrets that increased sales are being driven by Biden’s threats and a jump in random shootings, especially in big cities. That has pushed up sales of concealable firearms and the filling up of concealed carry permit classes.

“The result is these folks are buying before the government bans them,” said Justin Anderson, the marketing director for Hyatt Guns of Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the nation’s largest. “Our concealed carry classes are filling up quickly, which is a strong indicator of future sales.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the industry trade group, estimated sales last month at 1,268,236 based on background checks.