Gun sales continue to fall despite Trump’s lenient gun law stance, FBI NICS data shows

FBI data shows gun sale decline

In a rather unexpected turn of events, gun sales for the past few months have steadily been declining, despite Trump’s win in the United States Presidential Elections.

With a president that is strongly supportive of second amendment rights, gun sales should have increased seeing as that there is now fewer restrictions in owning them. However, a steady drop in firearm and ammunition sales has been reported by the FBI’s background check data in the past few months.

The data pulled from the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) shows a steady drop in sales across the country since Trump’s win. The data shows that the number of background checks in January 2017 fell more than 20 percent when compared to the same month in 2016.

F.B.I. stats indicate that gun sales have increased dramatically in 2015, as reports indicate that firearms are a popular choice for a holiday present. However, that was not the case after the 2016 presidential elections. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

It has to be noted that the FBI’s data is used as a proxy measurement for gun sales and are not actual figures of total guns sold. However, the numbers are still a close approximation of the total firearms sold based on background checks conducted.

According to Michigan Live, the downward trend of gun sales across the country began in December, shortly after Trump’s win in the elections. In Michigan, sales for the first quarter fell by 20 percent overall, while handgun sales fell 25 percent.

The same report reveals that the drop in sales is actually expected as citizens no longer have the urgency to stockpile weapons due to fear of stringent gun regulations if Hillary Clinton had won. With Trump already in power, buying and stockpiling weapons has become unnecessary.

“The last time we had a Clinton in office, we got a crime bill with restrictions on guns. … If you tell someone they can’t have something, they’re going to run out and buy it.” A gun store owner in Grand Rapids had explained.

Due to the decline in sales, stock prices of various gun and ammunition manufacturers have also dropped. Smith and Wesson is currently 35 percent below its highest amount last year, while Sturm Ruger and Co. has fallen 14 percent below its valuation prior to the results of the presidential elections.