NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) _ Between riots and talk of tighter gun control legislation, 2020 appears to have been a record year for gun sales across the nation.
The actual number of guns sold in the United States is not recorded. The FBI’s National Instant Criminal Check System, however, is a federal firearm background check system used by licensed firearm dealers.
The system doesn’t compile purchases but records how many FBI checks have been processed. Most gun purchases require a background check.
In 2020, for example, every month of background checks was up significantly over 2019. In fact, the FBI checks hardly reached 3 million in a month before 2020 but did so eight times in 2020.
The same is true already in 2021. There were 4,317,804 FBI checks in January 2021, which is the first time it surpassed 4 million checks.
Anyone who has purchased a firearm in the past year has probably seen a shortage. Many places that sell guns have certain models on back order. Many gun purchasers have to wait for them to arrive or settle for another model.
Local sheriff’s departments said they had noticed increased interest in firearms and had performed more background checks.
Pierce County Sheriff Rick Eberhardt said the interest locally is up _ especially among women.
Gun permits in the county went up from 190 in 2019, with 26 being women. Then in 2020, the number of permits went up to 253, with 48 being women.
“People are coming up to the window, and they know what they want,’’ he said. “The ladies are very confident. Most of them have done some research, and they know what they want.’’
In Madison County, the number of permits went up from 405 in 2019 to 572 in 2020.
Madison County Sheriff Todd Volk said he didn’t have a breakdown on how many were male and female, but he had noticed a few more women seeking permits, beginning last spring.
The reasons behind the surge could be talk by politicians to try to take guns away, as well as the political unrest, Volk said.
“Hearing some of the conversations with folks _ that seems to be some of their concerns,’’ Volk said. “More ladies are getting the concealed carry permits.’’
Statistics from Stanton County are similar. Sheriff Mike Unger said his county issued 163 gun permits in 2019. That increased to 219 in 2020 and already has reached 78 in the first month and week of 2021.
Unger said he went back over the list, and it appeared about 5% went to women before the November general election. Since the election, about 20% of permits are sought by women, he said.
“I’ve had several who never owned a firearm in my life ask me,’’ he said. “I’m not playing politics, but a lot of them tell me they are scared now after the election.’’
The sheriff also gets asked if he is going “to be coming after’’ their guns.
“That will never happen on my watch,’’ Unger said, “as long as the Second Amendment exists.’’
The Second Amendment states that a regulated militia is necessary for the security of a free state and that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Unger said women sometimes will ask about firearms and concealed carry permits. He offers advice only if asked, he said.
Eberhardt said he also would offer advice only when asked. That includes requiring those interested to take a course if they want a concealed carry.
“It’s a mix being fearful and being prepared for where they see our country headed and our values now. Life is not as precious as it used to be, and they see what is going on in now on TV. There were the riots, and that scared a lot of people.’’
Eberhardt said one of the benefits of living in a small town is that people look out for each other.
Another concern is finding ammunition, especially for those who have AR-15 style rifles. And once a person finds ammunition, the cost has risen significantly.
“In talking to other law enforcement agencies, they are running into the same thing,’’ Eberhardt said. “People went out and got gun permits, and now they are buying guns and ammo. Smith & Wesson is running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Weapons, ammo _ everything.’’
