THE ANCHORAGE DAILY PLANET
The stampede for firearms and ammunition continues as Americans face coronavirus concerns, Democratic promises of draconian gun control, ongoing race protests and the realization cops generally only show up after the dust settles.
The FBI says its National Instant Criminal Background Check System in July, for the third month this year, reported record gun sales background checks.
July checks totaled 3,639,224, the third-highest monthly total ever. In June, there were 3,931,607 background checks. That was the most ever in NICS’ 14-year history. March was the second-highest ever, at 3,740,688.
So far this year, there have been 22,819,271 background checks nationally, up about 44 percent over last year at this time, and that includes only firearms sold through federally licensed dealers and checks for concealed weapon permits. Private sales do not require NICS background checks.
While those numbers give hoplophobes the vapors, we are encouraged that more Americans are enjoying their constitutional rights. We again point out that gun ownership is a serious responsibility and urge newly minted gun owners to get training in firearms safety and the laws of self-defense. Knowing when to shoot is as important as knowing how to shoot.
Firearms can offer responsible gun owners years of pleasure in the field and on the target range – and it allows them to defend themselves and their families, if needed, until the police arrive.
