Through the first half of 2020, NSSF-adjusted NICS background checks have been recorded at a blistering pace — with 10,292,725 checks conducted from Jan. 1 through June 30. This figure represents an astronomical jump over the same period in previous years (see chart). It’s a record for the first half of a calendar year, and not the only one set in the past few months. Here’s a snapshot:
• March 2020 resulted in 2,375,525 checks, a single-month record (the previous mark, 2,237,731, was recorded Dec. 2012).
• The last four months on record — March, April, May and June 2020 — are each top monthly marks in the NICS system’s 20-plus-year history.
• Year-over-year (YOY) increases for March, April, May and June 2020 have totaled 80.4%, 69.1%, 75.2% and 135.7%, respectively.
• On the subject of YOY increases, the 135% jump observed in June 2020 over June 2019 is another record (from 924,054 to 2,177,586). The previous top YOY change took place in Jan. 2013 over Jan. 2012, a 94% increase (920,840 to 1,790,154).
• Another first: 2020 is the first calendar year to have more than one month eclipse the 2-million adjusted background check threshold (March and June).
• In addition, this current six-month stretch is the most prolific on record — beating out a run from Nov. 2012–April 2013, when 9,874,332 checks were conducted. (This number will likely rise when March 2020–Aug. 2020 totals are factored in.)
• The unadjusted NICS figures are equally telling: June’s mark of 3,931,607 is a single-month record. Through June 30, 19,180,047 unadjusted checks were conducted, which would surpass every annual total recorded prior to 2012.
None of this is a surprise, however, to those on the industry’s front lines: the storefront dealer. For many dealers, the demand surges caused by the pandemic and social unrest have been nothing short of unprecedented.
“Interest is extremely high right now,” said David Rich, owner of Naples Gun Shop in Naples, Fla. “Compared to March and April, this rush has apparently decimated any remaining supply in the firearms industry.”
Rich continued, “This wave of new shooters appear to feel different than the wave of COVID-19 lockdown-concerned customers. The faces of my new customers show genuine signs of concern and worry, and they’ve all mentioned the protests and riots have brought them to my store. On a side note, the new customers have been a mixture of race and gender.”
Laurie Fettig, owner of T&L Tactical Firearms & Range in Manitowoc, Wis., offered similar sentiments.
“We’re absolutely seeing record sales over the past several months. We’ve doubled our sales numbers over last year, and could have tripled them if we could have kept our inventory levels up,” she said. “It’s been a struggle to keep products on the shelf and frustrating to have to turn customers away. Inventory doesn’t stay on the shelf for more than a few hours.”
The demand isn’t limited to local buyers alone, Fettig noted. “We’ve also seen an influx of out-of-state buyers looking to ship to a local FFL in their area because they can’t find inventory. It’s insane how busy we are,” she added.
Skyler Thomas, manager of Virginia Beach, Va.-based Freedom Shooting Center, has noted a significant uptick in business — with first-time gun owners making up a large percentage of purchasers.
“Freedom Shooting Center, like many other outdoor sporting retailers, has experienced a significant increase in firearms, ammunition, training classes, and firearm accessory purchases,” he shared. “A great deal of these firearms purchasers have been first-time buyers. Many of the first-time buyers report that due to recent events, they feel compelled to better ensure the safety of themselves, their family, friends, and loved ones.”
While increased business from new buyers is welcome, Thomas cautioned it comes with an added sense of responsibility for dealers.
“The number of new gun buyers entering the shooting sports is very exciting, but it comes with great responsibility,” he said. “We’ll be offering free introductory firearms training to new gun owners, regardless of where their purchase was made.”
The wholesale distribution channel has likewise experienced a significant jump in demand.
“Wholesale distributors have adjusted and adapted rapidly from a health and safety perspective for their employees, and especially to meet the incredible demands from consumers,” said Kenyon Gleason, NASGW president. “As the largest sales channel in the firearms industry, distribution has been dealing with unprecedented requests and sales volumes. One distributor told me they’ve sold more in the first five months of this year than all of last year, and if they could get more product, sales would be even greater.”
But it’s not a universal surge. In this month’s Letters To The Editor, Jed Stump of Bertha, Minn., wrote in to share the increase for his store has been negligible through the pandemic and protests.
“Like everyone in the industry, I’m hearing there are many panic buys around the nation with this pandemic. I see the inventory of firearms and ammunition depleted through my distributors. However, I’m not seeing this uptick in my store,” he said. “I’m not complaining about being ‘left out’ … just a little confused with what I hear versus what I see.”
The industry has weathered significant ups and downs in its history, but the ramifications of this sustained demand swing — especially with tens of thousands of first-time gun owners being added in such a short period — will be felt for years. How the industry welcomes and reengages these new gun owners will be crucial.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Public contact, Information Center: (888) 248-6866 Media contact, Tristanna Bickford: (505) 476-8027 tristanna.bickford@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 13, 2020:
Apply now for sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will be accepting applications for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits starting 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15.
Applications can be made online through your account or over the telephone with the Department’s information center, 1-888-248-6866. The application deadline for special sandhill crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Pheasant hunts that will be included in the draw include:
Hunt Area
Hunt Code
Season Dates
Number of Permits
Bernardo Youth Only
PHE-0-001
Oct. 17
20
W.S. Huey Youth Only
PHE-0-002
Dec. 5
40
W.S. Huey (open to all applicants)
PHE-0-005
Dec. 12
40
Sandhill crane hunts that will be included in the draw include:
Hunt Area
Hunt Code
Season Dates
Number of Permits
Estancia Valley Hunt
SCR-0-101
Oct. 24 – 27, Oct. 29 – Nov. 1
65
Middle Rio Grande Valley (MRGV)
SCR-0-102
Nov. 7-8
60
SCR-0-103
Nov. 28-29
50
SCR-0-104
Dec. 5-6
55
SCR-0-105
Jan. 2-3, 2021
55
SCR-0-106
Jan. 9-10, 2021
50
MRGV Youth Only
SCR-0-107
Nov.21
24
Southwestern
SCR-0-108
Oct. 24 – Nov. 1
70
SCR-0-109
Jan. 2 – 3, 2021
60
Successful applicants must have a Game Hunting license and applicable stamp(s) in addition to their draw permit. Successful sandhill crane applicants also must have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
The 2020-2021 Upland Game Hunting Rules and Information Booklet will be online at the end of July. The 2020-2021 Migratory Game Bird Rules and Information Booklet will be online in mid-August. These publications will only be published on the Department’s website for the 2020-2021 hunting season.
Continuing to set new monthly records, last month was the highest June in terms of federal background checks for gun transfers since the system was established.
The unadjusted figures of 3,909,502 checks conducted through the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System last month is a 70.6 percent jump from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,291,066 in June 2019.
To put that into more relatable terms, when the data was filtered by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to remove figures for gun permit checks by states which use NICS for that purpose, the number of checks stands at 2,177,586 which is a 135.7 percent increase compared to the June 2019 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 924,054, making it the highest June on record since the FBI began the checks as part of the Brady bill more than two decades ago and continuing the trend seen all Spring.
The reason?
“Civil unrest, rioting, looting and calls to defund police are unquestionably motivating factors of why this trend is increasing,” Mark Oliva, NSSF’s Public Affairs Director, told Guns.com. “Americans are right to be concerned for their personal safety. It’s entirely reasonable that law-abiding citizens are exercising their Constitutional right to purchase a firearm to protect themselves.”
Oliva went on to point out that the figures stand as a very real litmus test on how the country feels when it comes to gun control.
“Our nation’s elected representatives should take heed of where their constituents are on gun ownership today,” he said. “Politicians who entertain notions of defunding police departments are the same ones who call for strict gun control and even outright confiscation. These figures aren’t push polls. They are representative of Americans from all walks of life who are taking action and taking responsibility for their rights and their safety.”
Oliva pointed to the trade group’s latest survey of firearm retailers that showed 40 percent of recent gun buyers are purchasing a firearm for the first time. Further, of those millions of first-time gun owners, 40 percent are women and are overwhelmingly buying handguns for personal protection.
Anti-gun groups baffled
Despite the news cycle being dominated by coverage of unrest across the country, national anti-gun groups seemed at a loss to figure out why Americans are exercising their Second Amendment rights in record numbers.
“Gun sales have been surging since the pandemic, so it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this month’s sales,” said Rob Wilcox, deputy director of policy and strategy at Everytown, in a statement concerning the record NICS figures.
We come before you today with heavy hearts to announce the cancellation of our 2020 New Mexico Wildlife Expo and 4th annual Gala that was to be held at the Isleta Resort & Casino Friday August 21st & Saturday August 22nd. The safety and well being of our fellow DSCNM members, family and guests is of the utmost importance. We received an email late last week from The Isleta Convention Services Manager. He emailed us the following statement “I’m sorry to say we got word from our Tribal Council today that it is too soon in August to commit to the current date”
Effectively putting an end to all the hard work and planning that the DSCNM Board of Directors, staff & volunteers had put into the 2020 Expo & Gala.
The board of directors wishes to thank each and every one of the individuals that put so much effort thus far into the Expo & Gala as well as to our sponsors and individuals that had already purchased tickets.
While we understand the disappointment and inconvenience in this decision, we are looking to the future with what we can do for our members in 2020, 2021 and beyond.
DREAM BIG
We are pushing forward with plans for future events and innovative ways to raise funds to support our much-needed projects. DSCNM looks to all of you for your continued support of our events, programs, youth, veterans, 1st responders and scholarships.
WAYS TO CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT OF DSCNM
Score something awesome!
We will continue with our annual online auction through onlinehuntingauctions.com. There will be over 30 items, including hunts, fishing trips, art, bronzes, Swarovski & Vortex optics and much more. We are planning a Gala or other exciting event at in February or March 2021. More information and details will be announced via email, our website and through social media.
Win Big!
We will also be launching online raffles via our social media and on the DSCNM website. These raffles will feature a lot of really cool stuff, firearms, optics, hunting & fishing packages, camo, backpacks, art and a whole lot more.
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dscnewmexico/?hl=en
FUTURE
We are in the process of contracting with Isleta for a 5 Year commitment to hold the DSCNM Expo & Gala the 2nd weekend of August. This will secure a location and dates that everyone can plan on every year.
Let’s all show that DSCNM is here to stay and with everyone’s support we can make this the largest grossing money year of our organization. Together we can and will make a difference.
We pray that we all see each other in February or March 2021. Until then God Bless us all, stay safe and well.
“Its’ like… being in line for a Disneyland ride!” declared Byron, age 17 from Farmington, New Mexico.
Another hunter Aiden, 14 years old from Albuquerque stated: “That was very exhilarating!” A testimonial from another youth hunter who participated on the hunt. All hunt participants indicated that they learned a lifetime of new skills, especially when it came to locating, stalking and field dressing an animal. They were all motivated to continue to hunt again and planned on purchasing and applying for hunting draw permits in the next license year.
Most likely when you think of hunter education, you think of sitting in a classroom listening to an instructor talk, participating in some activities, watching a few videos, and taking a test. But for several New Mexico students, hunter education goes way beyond that final test.
Getting a 100% on both the written and practical tests gives youth graduates an entry into a special draw for a fall pronghorn or elk hunt. Private landowners donate tags to the graduates; the learning experience is further enhanced by experienced guides.
Check out this video highlighting the holistic approach that allows hunter education graduates to apply what they learned. This hunt provided the classroom-extension component that enabled these first-time hunters to go afield on an escorted hunt and test their newly learned skills with their mentor. This experience additionally offered the chance to learn new skills one can only obtain while actively hunting a big game animal. The hunt wrapped up with a simple field-to-fork opportunity to share stories of the day and enjoy the tenderloin.
Follow a youth hunter education graduate and his sister on their first hunt in pursuit of pronghorn on the plains of northeastern New Mexico. Experience this unique hunting opportunity with him from glassing up pronghorn, to stalking and creeping up within shooting distance on a herd.
Are you sitting at home dreaming of hunting this fall? Purchasing raffle tickets can be an inexpensive way to potentially win your New Mexico dream hunt! All proceeds from enhancement hunts are used solely for habitat enhancement, conservation, research and management projects in New Mexico for the species raffled. Authorizations may be used either by the recipient or any individual of the recipient’s choice through sale, barter or gift. These hunts do not count as Once-in-a-Lifetime Hunts.
Deer enhancement licenses
One deer authorization will be raffled with the assistance of the Mule Deer Foundation. Tickets must be purchased by June 4, 2020 to be considered for the June 12, 2020 drawing. The bag limit for these hunts is one fork-antlered deer.
Two authorizations will be raffled by the Department with the assistance of the New Mexico Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation (NMWSF)—one for desert bighorn sheep and one for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Tickets must be purchased by June 20, 2020.
With the 2020 Primary just 21 days away, now is the time to join the fight.
Your NMSSA is working to ensure New Mexicans know who will stand for their Second Amendment rights. We worked with the NRA to grade the candidates and remind voters who in the legislature infringed on our rights.
After the lawsuit is completed, we intend to turn our focus to holding legislators accountable for their actions in the 2020 legislative session. Voters will know who took away their rights, but that will take resources to reach every corner of New Mexico.
Last week the Trump administration labeled gun stores and gun manufacturers as “essential“ businesses during the shut downs happening for COVID19. Unfortunately our anti-Second Amendment Governor refuses to do the same. It’s time we stand up and let our voice be heard.
Our founding fathers never envisioned the Second Amendment to be used in times of peace but in times of uncertainty in and times of conflict. As the scope of government grows, our right to defend ourselves against tyranny and our right to defend our homes from danger becomes increasingly important.
Call Governor Lujan Grisham today and tell her we demand access to firearms retailers and ammunition in this uncertain time.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham : 505-476-2200
Although we are in a tough time, our fight to defend the Second Amendment is ongoing. NMSSA continues to stand at the front lines of our fight against New Mexico‘s gun grabbing politicians. Will you join the fight? Join today at NMSSA.org.
Pressing on for Freedom,
To further her own anti-gun agenda, Governor Lujan Grisham wasted taxpayer money and risked public safety by having her State Police violate their Constitutional oath by cruising gun shops.
In response to the Covid 19 outbreak, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered the closure of all businesses she doesn’t consider “Essential.” The Governor did not designate firearm stores as “essential,” but many remained open because the Governor’s order did not explicitly order them closed. Your NRA-ILA has now learned that Governor Grisham is making her anti-gun proclivities clear by tasking the State Patrol with driving by gun stores and telling dealers that they are, and will remain, closed to the public. New Mexico residents are encouraged to contact their local firearms dealers to inquire about the potential to make online purchases while the Governor’s order remains in effect.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring state of Colorado, gun stores have been listed as critical businesses and are allowed to operate. The same is true in many states throughout the country. This action by the Governor is not just anti-gun, but fails to consider the need for safety and security in these uncertain times. Please contact Governor Grisham at 505-476-2200 and ask her to please respect our right to self-defense and leave gun stores alone.?
