Gun background checks drop by 10 percent in January
WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of federal background checks for firearm sales declined last month following a surge in gun sales toward the end of the year that's left many retailers out of stock as Washington considered new gun control measures.
An Associated Press analysis of new FBI data published early Tuesday shows the National Instant Criminal Background Check system processed more than 2.78 million checks in December. That was a 12-month peak following an upward trend through last fall. The number fell to 2.48 million in January, still greater than any other month last year.
Firearms sales exploded around the country in the wake of the deadly December shooting spree in Newton, Conn., that left 27 dead, mostly children. The rush to buy guns has left many retailers out of stock.
"You can't do a background check if a guy doesn't have a gun to buy," said Mike Fotia, manager at Duke's Sport Shop in New Castle, Pa. "There's nothing to buy."
Fotia said manufacturers and wholesalers can't fill orders right now because demand is so high.
The number of background checks does not represent the number of firearms purchased, but gun manufacturers use these statistics to measure the health of the gun industry in the U.S.
The 10 percent drop between December and January comes amid a fierce national debate on gun control after the horrific school shooting in Newtown. The number of background checks dropped 26 percent during the same time period a year earlier. Sales typically decrease in January after the holiday shopping rush is over.
Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi saw the largest declines in background checks from December to January, by about one-third.
An Associated Press analysis of new FBI data published early Tuesday shows the National Instant Criminal Background Check system processed more than 2.78 million checks in December. That was a 12-month peak following an upward trend through last fall. The number fell to 2.48 million in January, still greater than any other month last year.
Firearms sales exploded around the country in the wake of the deadly December shooting spree in Newton, Conn., that left 27 dead, mostly children. The rush to buy guns has left many retailers out of stock.
"You can't do a background check if a guy doesn't have a gun to buy," said Mike Fotia, manager at Duke's Sport Shop in New Castle, Pa. "There's nothing to buy."
Fotia said manufacturers and wholesalers can't fill orders right now because demand is so high.
The number of background checks does not represent the number of firearms purchased, but gun manufacturers use these statistics to measure the health of the gun industry in the U.S.
The 10 percent drop between December and January comes amid a fierce national debate on gun control after the horrific school shooting in Newtown. The number of background checks dropped 26 percent during the same time period a year earlier. Sales typically decrease in January after the holiday shopping rush is over.
Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi saw the largest declines in background checks from December to January, by about one-third.
Now there's a suprise! If they don't do them because there are none to do, ya think they might decline?
You cannot purchase an assault weapon at any store in america because they are sold out. Additionally, the ATF has told them to not get them for the time being because of a future change in law that may or may not occur.Â
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On top of it all, there is a nationwide ammo shortage due to the government purchasing 1.6 billion+ bullets, so it may be difficult to get ammo.
@portlandborn83 The government needs those 1.6 billion rounds. They have a lot of overseas Americans to assassinate.
Do you mean to tell me that the gangs aren't getting in line for these checks?????
I think the American pople sent a great big___ to the government.
LOL! Federal background checks!!   HAHAHAHA!Washington and the AP still have no idea what's happening here, do they?  Let's just blame the supply shortage of weapons and let America understand that this means that because of Obama and Feinstein, ALL THE GUNS STOCKPILED IN AMERICA HAVE BEEN SOLD TO AMERICANS IN SPITE OF ANTI-GUN RHETORIC.How'd that work out? Â
The reason is that demand has exceeded supply. Once manufacturers catch up with supply background checks will increase.
 @RalphCramden Or, to use an old expression, they're reloading.
 @PlayanekesÂ
And with the wars winding down the ammo manufacturers will be looking to sell more ammo elsewhere and there are millions of citizens who want to stock up.
"You can't do a background check if a guy doesn't have a gun to buy," said Mike Fotia, manager at Duke's Sport Shop in New Castle, Pa. "There's nothing to buy."
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That pretty much sums it up. Â Nothing to see here.
Can't buy anything when the shelves are empty... Therefore, no NICS checks.
Got mine. locked loaded and ready
@LostSoul Dito..............
Does this surprise anyone?