The election of President Trump has calmed down the pre-election surge in gun sales driven by expectations Hillary Clinton would win and immediately impose gun control.
The craze that made 2016 the first year ever to see sales over 27 million, has settled down to normal patterns, according to FBI background check information released Monday.
While 2017 is still expected to see near historic sales, driven by blacks, women and buyers reacting to terrorism and crime, the latest National Instant Criminal Background Check System figures show that there have been three straight months of lower requests for background checks, used to gauge sales.
In February, for example, there were 2.2 million FBI background checks compared to 2.6 million in February 2016. Overall, sales are on a pace to reach 24 million this year.
Before the election, many people purchased guns targeted by Clinton, mostly semi-automatic rifles and pistols. And on the eve of the election, many gun stories expanded their inventory. As a result, many are now cutting prices helping to drive sales.
Justin Anderson, the marketing director of Hyatt Guns in Charlotte N.C., one of the nation’s largest, said the “Trump effect” has helped to steady sales and eliminate the pre-election sales craze.
“We saw sales slightly down from last February, though it’s not really a fair comparison because last February’s sales were still being impacted by the San Bernardino attack. We are seeing a slight ‘Trump effect,’ though sales are brisk right now and we expect to beat last March’s numbers,” he told Secrets.
Anderson added, “There is still quite a bit of uncertainty in the world and people are taking steps to protect themselves. We’ve seen particular sales growth among African Americans, as well as women. As for liberals buying guns, they always have and they always will. I like to say that every gun-hating liberal is just one violent crime away from becoming a gun owner.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
