Skip to main content

Understatement: First-Timers Flock to Guns

NSSF report shows nearly 5 million first-time firearm owners in first seven months of 2020. Wow!

Understatement: First-Timers Flock to Guns

(Shutterstock.com photo)

Late in the summer of 2020, the National Shooting Sports Foundation analyzed retail information and concluded that nearly 5 million Americans purchased a firearm for the very first time in 2020, and gun shops reported 40 percent of sales were to purchasers who have never previously owned a firearm.

NSSF-adjusted NICS background checks for January through July 2020 were a record 12.1 million, which is up 71.7 percent from the 7.1 million NSSF-adjusted NICS January through July 2019. This equates to nearly 5 million first-time gun owners in the first seven months of 2020.

“This is a tectonic shift in the firearm and ammunition industry marketplace and complete transformation of today’s gun-owning community,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president of general counsel. “These first-time buyers represent a group of people who, until now, were agnostic regarding firearm ownership. That’s rapidly changing, and these Americans are taking hold of their God-given right to keep and bear arms and protect themselves and their loved ones.”

The foundation’s surveys found that 58 percent of firearm purchases were among African American men and women, the largest increase of any demographic group. Women comprised 40 percent of first-time gun purchasers. Retailers noted they are seeing a 95 percent increase in firearm sales and a 139 percent increase in ammunition sales over the same period in 2019.


GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 350 Hunting Revolver In .350 Legend

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

First Look: Taurus GX4 XL

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

A Perfect 10? The S&W M&P 10mm

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

S&W M&P Shield Plus

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

A Perfect 10? The S&W M&P 10mm

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

Beretta A1 Carry

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

First Look: Federal .30 Super Carry Pistol Cartridge

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Learn

Bad Shooting Advice

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Learn

Skills Drills - 3 Second Headshot

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Learn

Shooting from Kneeling

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Handguns

Taurus GX4

Richard Nance shows off this easy to carry flashlight from Streamlight.
Gear

Streamlight Wedge

Handguns Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Handguns App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Handguns subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now