Gun sales see record Black Friday

Buyers swamped dealers, causing the FBI center that handles background checks to crash twice.

By Kim Peterson Nov 29, 2012 3:21PM
Credit: Seth Perlman/AP
Caption: Steve Swartz, owner of Capitol City Arms Supply, shows off some of the rifles for sale in Springfield, Ill.,Was there something in this year's turkeys that made folks want to buy a gun?

The day after Thanksgiving saw a record number of background-check requests from gun dealers. The calls came in so fast and furious, in fact, that the FBI centers that handle the requests crashed twice that day, USA Today reports.

Though accurate gun sales numbers are hard to come by, the overwhelming activity suggests that Black Friday was one for the record books for the firearm industry.

The FBI thought it was prepared for the day, particularly after hitting its previous one-day record on Black Friday 2011. That day, the bureau's call center took 129,166 requests.

But this year, the bureau took 154,873 calls, or about a 20% increase. You can't equate that to number of guns sold, however. The buyer may have decided against a purchase at the last minute. Or the buyer might have picked up more than one gun.

What was the reason for the new sales? Observers point to three areas. First, President Obama's re-election may be spurring fears of a new crackdown on guns. Obama hasn't exactly done much in this area -- in fact he signed a law in his first term allowing loaded guns in national parks -- but he did suggest in one of the presidential debates that he was in favor of reintroducing an assault weapons ban.

Another reason is a growing interest in guns on the part of women. The National Rifle Association says that women are its fastest-growing membership group. A final reason is that hunting and other shooting sports are gaining in popularity. MSN Money's Bruce Kennedy reported Wednesday that there was a 9% increase in hunters last year compared with 2006.

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502Comments
Nov 29, 2012 6:45PM
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i really hate how the second admendment is dumbed down by politicians.it is not about and hunting,target shooting, or even self defense .it is there to HELP prevent the goverment from becoming hostile towards it citizens.that is why some politicians want to ban weapons that are better suited for just such a purpose.those politicians only want one thing absolute power ! and after this election and some of the statements by politicians like diane feinstien i can see why guns sales are up!there is areason why people like feinstien and others want to disarm us it is not for our safety but thier own!
Nov 29, 2012 6:45PM
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Owning guns is a constitutional right in the United States. If you choose not to own a gun that is also your right.  I have guns in both my homes and cars ( AZ carry and concealed certified).  Just like a seat belt I have never been in a car accident that required my seat belt but I still wear it every time i get in the car. No different than having a loaded weapon in my car -  God forbid that I need it but it is there for just in case.
Nov 29, 2012 6:43PM
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There's a man with a gun over there, telling me I better beware.....................
Nov 29, 2012 6:41PM
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I would Hate to see Americans suffer the way millions suffered in the Russian Gulags. While quite an effort has been made to ensure no one will forget the "special interest" portion killed in NSDAP camps to somehow ensure to make Americans feel guilty? (odd I thought America helped them) The millions killed in Russian gulags by bolshevics who most happened to be of "special interest" descent do not seem to even rate enough for a Speilberg like film for their memory. Remembering the Deaths in Russian Gulags could maybe prevent future ones. and firearms can also bring prevention.
Nov 29, 2012 6:41PM
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Let's drive those prices up even further with more idiotic panic buying!

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Natural Blonde waye two seement ur steariotyp.    Written in "idiot" so you can understand it.

Nov 29, 2012 6:36PM
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Too bad people waste their money on things made to hurt other people...I will never own or use one, that's for sure...
Nov 29, 2012 6:32PM
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Natural Blonde 2012, you're an idiot and don't know what your talking about.
Nov 29, 2012 6:31PM
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I carry a gun. Why?? Because a cop is too HEAVY!

Nov 29, 2012 6:29PM
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Ms. Peterson, you are very incorrect in saying that "Obama hasn't actually done much in this area" when in fact he has.  Both of Obama's Supreme Court Justice appointments, despite stating otherwise in their nomination hearings, have ruled and opined that they believe the 2nd amendment is not an individual's right.  And, as for signing the law allowing loaded guns in national parks, Obama had no choice, but to sign.  An overwhelming majority of congress (including Democrats who were in a heated battle for re-election) supported the standardization of the rules, as the BLM and Forestry Departments had allowed firearms for years.  I also take offense to your use of the term "allowing" loaded guns... Since when does a government established on a basis of "By the People, For the People" ALLOW the people to do something?  The government removed a restriction.
Nov 29, 2012 6:29PM
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TRUST ME WHEN THE SHTF YOU WILL BE LOOKING FOR ONE, AND THEN IT WILL TOO LATE! YOU WILL JUST DIE TIRED AND SCARED.

Nov 29, 2012 6:28PM
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Natural Blond:  You are so right and those who castigate you are ignorant a**es!
Nov 29, 2012 6:25PM
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Pathetic.  Un-Christian.  Just pathetic.
Nov 29, 2012 6:23PM
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Gun sales WERE caused by the turkey. The one in the White House!
Nov 29, 2012 6:21PM
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AGAIN!  It must be said:  THERE ARE NO (AS IN NONE, ZIP, ZILCH) assault guns for legal sale in the U.S.A.  They were outlawed in 1935. (Assault gun being one with a selective mode of fire, typically:  1-single shot, 2-3 shot burst and 3-fully automatic fire.)  When will boobs like Obama, Feinstein, Brady, et. al., get this through their thick num-skulls?  A gun that is Black fibreglass stock or plastic finish is not an assault weapon.  It is just a different style of stocking any weapon.

If you do not like guns, do not get one (or more).  Otherwise leave us alone.  Or are you looking for another revolutionary war?

Nov 29, 2012 6:20PM
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130,000 more guns in the hands of law abiding citizens who allowed the Government to do a background check. That is the law, at least in my state. Like it or not.

 

Nov 29, 2012 6:17PM
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When I grew up, real men, like my husband could defend me with his fists.These days

little men have to hide behind a gun.

Nov 29, 2012 6:15PM
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As has been partially stated, the UN Small Arms Treaty that Billary is trying hard to sign will take our gun ownership rights away without 2nd Amendment  voting by the people.  I have never felt the need for a gun in my house, but believe in gun ownership.  I intend to purchase several before they ratify the treaty (which only requires Senate approval) and we know where the Senate stands with its Democratic majority.   Just ask the people living in the areas where guns were outlawed about their crime rates.  When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have them.  That is why the UN wants to ban small arms. 
Nov 29, 2012 6:15PM
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Before gun enthusiasts (and, nothing wrong with liking them) go off the Deep End,  remember:   If you Over-Purchase guns and ammo,   you may be making yourself a TARGET for burglary at your home.    Sneak thieves LOVE to pick up "Bright And Shinies" -  jewelry, cash, and GUNS.   Keep them out of the hands of children,  and preferably out of sight and locked up.   Otherwise,  they could get stolen, and used on YOU when you get home. 
Nov 29, 2012 6:13PM
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One question that EVERYONE needs to ask themself...."How many times are guns used to save lives???". Until you know the answer to that question then you should not even have a opinion on this ...the answer to this question is very hard to answer as many times people never report this and you can dam well be sure that the media will not report on this...My gun has saved my life and the lives of others several times in my life and I don’t leave home without a gun and I risk going to prison every time I do it but I will never leave myself/family/friends/others in a spot where some nut job can make a victim out of me without a fighting chance. When i was 19 a young gal and myself were walking out of a Hollywood club and 5 drunk dudes cornered us in a parking lot and told me they were going to kill my white a$$ and rape my bitch...I ran to the car got my gun and they ran off...the girl I was dating was the biggest anti-gun person ever and I never told her i carried guns (Could not carry into the club so I had to leave it in the car)...in shock she told me "That f^&kin gun saved our lives"...we are still friends and she is still a huge liberal but she has a gun herself now...I don’t worry about the govt taking guns away (They won’t and they can’t as people like me will die over the right to own a gun and protect myself/family)..I worry about natural disaster living in LA (Earthquakes and there are over 100,000 gang members in LA) or economic collapse...when the wrong people know that the cops can’t respond and you are own you better hope there is someone like me around to at least put up a fight for us (Not saying I will win or I am a tough guy but all -be-dammed if I just sit there and be a victim or watch someone else be a victim)….I am not talking about “Stuff” either…I would not shoot someone over a material possession…but you threaten to hurt me and POP!

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