As protests sweep across the United States and coronavirus cases surge, Americans are stocking up on guns in record numbers.
The FBI’s most recent data shows it carried out a record 3.9 million background checks for gun purchases in the month of June, the highest figure since records began in 1998.
The bureau carried out just over 3 million checks in May and 2.3 million checks in June 2019.
The states with the highest number of checks were Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, Florida and California.
In the absence of real-time gun sale figures, background checks are considered the most reliable indicator of demand for firearms.
Using figures derived from the FBI data, Industry monitor Small Arms Analytics Forecasting estimates over 2.39 million firearms were sold in the month of June, an increase of 145 per cent on the same period in 2019.
The rise was driven by handgun sales which increased by 177 per cent year on year.
The SAAF admits its estimates likely understate the true levels of gun sales across the United States.
During the latest reporting period, the US began to experience a second wave of new coronavirus infections, occurring primarily in southern and western states.
Nationwide protests also took place over the George Floyd death in police custody, leading to violent confrontations between police and demonstrators.
“The first week of June saw especially high background check volumes, presumably related to the aftermath of the killing of Mr George Floyd,” SAAF Chief Economist Jurgen Braeur said.
Gun sales also surged in March as the coronavirus pandemic began to impact the United States.
The National Rifle Association says 8.3 million firearms have been sold since then, forecasting 2020 to be the biggest year yet for gun sales.
"Firearm sales go up in times of uncertainty because Americans know their safety is ultimately in their own hands," NRA spokesperson Amy Hunter told CNN.
A member of the second amendment advocacy group, 'The Right to Bear Arms Virginia', holds a semi-automatic firearm during a rally in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Source: EPA
But the rise in gun purchases during this most recent period of civil unrest has anti-gun violence groups concerned.
"That this occurred during a month where we saw nationwide, peaceful demonstrations against police violence and gun violence inflicted on Black Americans and other people of color in this country cannot go overlooked," Kris Brown president of the Brady Campaign told the Associated Press.
"This can no longer be characterised as a spike. This is a sustained uptick in sales that has continued for an unprecedented amount of months now."
Gun stores across the United States have also reported stock shortages, saying they can’t keep up with demand for weapons and ammunition.
Weapons sales tend to rise during election years due to fears over proposed changes to firearms legislation.
According to polling company Gallup, the majority of Americans favour stricter gun legislation and tighter regulation but oppose bans on handguns and assault rifles.
