The FBI’s national criminal background check system conducted close to 3 million checks for the month of April, continuing the trend of elevated checks for 2020. April was the fourth-highest month for background checks since the establishment of the FBI NICS in 1998.

Last month’s number of checks was slightly below the record 3.7 million checks conducted by the system in March 2020. According to the latest FBI data, the states with the highest number of background checks for the month were Illinois, Texas, Kentucky, California, and Florida.

It has to be noted that a single check does not necessarily equate to a single gun sale. Some customers do purchase more than one firearm, while a small portion of the checks is conducted as a requirement for certain permits.

The increase in the number of background checks conducted through the system, which is often the basis for estimates for the total number of guns sold in the country, coincides with the recent spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Industry experts point out that gun sales do often spike during times of economic uncertainty, particularly during national tragedies.

Notably, the number of background checks had spiked by more than 39 percent in 2012, during the height of US school shootings. In 2015, checks had also spiked by 48 percent after the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.

In 2020, NRA members pointed out that people are likely worried about their personal and family’s safety as they quarantine themselves inside their homes. Some are also likely worried that the economic crisis would push up the country’s crime rates.

Gun advocates don’t necessarily agree, with most stating that guns only end up resulting in tragedies and accidents. Brady, a group advocating for gun violence prevention, argues that guns are not the answer and people should refrain from buying one if they can.