175,000-plus Black Friday NICS Checks; Evidence 2014 Will Be Another Concealed Carry Christmas
The FBI reports on Black Friday November 28, 2014 they processed more than 175,000 NICS background checks. That’s the most ever for a Black Friday, and the second highest daily volume on record. (Second only to December 21, 2012 when they processed more than 177,000.) Combine that with the latest tally by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) showing more than 11 million Americans now have concealed carry permits, and it all adds up to this being a banner sales season for personal and home defense firearms!
CPRC reports carry permits are up from approximately 8 million just three years ago, and admits their new number is conservative because permit numbers are not available from all states that issue permits – such as New York – and four states and the majority of Montana do not require permits to carry. The 11,113,013 documented permit holders represent approximately 4.8% of the total U.S. population.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation reports the firearms sales (based on NICS checks) has achieved “new normal” status and that the November checks this year marked the second highest November on record as well. Other NSSF industry studies show more than 80 percent of firearm purchases today are at least partially motivated by the desire for personal and/or home defense.
Finally, consider that seven of the top 10 days ever for NICS checks occurred during the holiday seasons over the last three years. All added up, it points to 2014 being another big “CCC” – Concealed Carry Christmas – season.
