Record High Gun Purchases in the US Amid Rising Social Anxiety

18.6 Million Units Sold This Year Alone
'Racism' Leads to High Gun Purchases Among Black People

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Gun sales in the United States have reached an all-time high amid increasing social unrest caused by frequent protests. In particular, social conflicts surrounding the presidential election appear to have prompted citizens to purchase firearms.

According to Fox News on the 4th (local time), citing SAAF (Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting), a consulting firm that studies the small arms and ammunition market, 1.9 million firearms were sold in the U.S. in October alone, a 65% surge compared to the same month last year.

Earlier, SAAF reported that from January to September this year, firearm sales in the U.S. reached 16.7 million, already surpassing the annual record of 16.6 million set during the 2016 presidential election.

Accordingly, total firearm sales in the U.S. from January to October this year reached a staggering 18.6 million.

SAAF analyzed that "high firearm sales are expected to continue through the end of the year."

According to SAAF, the increase in firearm sales began in earnest in March this year. This upward trend peaked in June with 2.38 million firearms sold, a 145% increase compared to the same month last year, then gradually declined. However, firearm sales in August and September still maintained high growth rates of 57.8% and 66%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), representing firearm manufacturers, also stated through its own data that "monthly firearm sales have set new records every month since March this year."

NSSF pointed out that the increase in firearm sales was significantly influenced by Black Americans, noting that firearm purchases by Black individuals increased by 58.2% from January to June this year.

Fox News analyzed this by stating, "Anxiety among Black people is rising due to COVID-19 and the killing of Black man George Floyd by a white police officer."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.