Another Month, Another NICS Record

The FBI recently reported a new record for the number of National Instant Check System (NICS) background checks initiated for the month of August — 3,115,063 to be exact. While not all related to firearm purchases, the number is indicative of the continued surge in gun sales.

Calculating how many checks were likely associated with actual gun sales, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) estimated an impressive 1,684,083 checks — a 51.2% increase over the same month in 2019. And anybody who thinks sales don’t also represent a hike in the number of new gun owners, just refer to last week’s Insider Online entry, where the NSSF estimated some 5 million newbies in the neighborhood.

“August’s adjusted NICS figures of nearly 1.7 million background checks associated with the sale of a firearm are in line with the months-long trend we’ve witnessed since March, when figures topped an all-time one-month record of 2.3 million,” NSSF Public Affairs Director Mark Oliva observed. “Each month since April, adjusted NICS figures averaged between 1.6 and 1.8 million. August’s figures are a record-high for the month over all previous years and show us that concerns for personal safety and self-defense continue to remain a priority for law-abiding Americans.”

Here’s something else Oliva acknowledged: “News reports of violent attacks, riots, looting are coupled with calls to defund police continue…Americans are witnessing gun control politicians refuse to enforce penalties on violent criminals while at the same time actively working to deny those who obey the law the ability protect themselves. These sales figures are proof that Americans refuse to be compliant victims to violent criminals who prey on the most vulnerable of our society.”

Joe Biden, are you paying attention?

USCCA Makes Sense of It

The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) reinforced what the NSSF said about the increasing gun sales.

USCCA founder and President Tim Schmidt remarked, “It speaks volumes that during these uncertain times, record numbers of Americans are embracing their Second Amendment rights and choosing to be the protectors for their families, friends, and neighbors. But more importantly, people are not turning a blind eye to the incredible responsibility that comes with owning a firearm. We are encouraged by the surge in membership we’re seeing and an unprecedented demand for training, education and legal protection for American gun owners across the country.”

The organization has more than 450,000 members, and the months of June and July reportedly saw all-time record setting enrollment. USCCA has also seen more than 30% year-over-year growth since 2016.

Companies Match NRA-ILA Donations

From now through Nov. 15, six prominent companies in the firearms community are pledged to match donations made to the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action.

Called “Partners for Patriotism,” the NRA identified these companies as SIG SAUER, Kel-Tec, Credova, Rock Island Auction Company, Taurus and Davidson’s Gallery of Guns.

Money is the life blood of politics and the companies are promising to match $1 million in donations to NRA-ILA as the 2020 presidential and congressional elections loom. According to Jason Ouimet, NRA-ILA executive director, “whatever is donated will automatically be doubled by participating companies.”

Billionaire anti-gunners have been doing this sort of thing for several years to fatten the bank accounts of various gun prohibition lobbying groups. Turn-about is fair play.

‘We’re Not Done Fighting!’

When a federal district court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the NRA and Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) challenging a Washington state gun control initiative on federal constitutional grounds, it was neither unexpected nor accepted meekly with a whimper.

To the contrary, SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb came out swinging, because he opposed Initiative 1639 from the outset. He especially dislikes the tenet that denies young adults (18-20 years old) the right to purchase any kind of semiautomatic rifle. Something Judge Ronald Leighton wrote in his 19-page opinion obviously hit one of Gottlieb’s nerves.

“In sum,” the judge wrote, “18- to 20-year-olds are developmentally immature, commit a disproportionate share of violent crimes and have been successful subjects of public health and safety regulation in the past.”

Are those the same 18-20-year-olds welcomed into the ranks by the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy? Are they the same youngsters in whom the nation has entrusted the right to vote, get married, enter into contracts, start their own businesses and even run for public office?

“The judge doesn’t think that 18 to 20-year-olds have rights?” Gottlieb wondered aloud. “A fundamental constitutional right should definitely apply to them as well.”

Also weighing in was NRA legislative liaison Keely Hopkins.

“It’s disappointing but not surprising to learn that a sitting judge chose to blatantly disregard the constitutional infringements ballot initiative 1639 imposes upon law-abiding gun owners,” Hopkins said. “Now more than ever it is imperative that those who choose to exercise their Second Amendment rights are not denied this fundamental freedom no matter where they call home.”

Yes, they will appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/finaltext_1531.pdf

Uncle Chet Passes

My uncle, Chet Workman, passed away Sept. 1st. Having had a full 90-year run, his life included living on a golf course, annual treks to a summer cabin in British Columbia, plenty of deer and elk hunting and a Smith & Wesson Model 53 double-action revolver.

This was the version with the 8-3/8” barrel and interchangeable cylinders — one for .22 LR and the other for the warp-speed .22 Remington Jet Magnum centerfire cartridge. The .22 Jet cylinder came with inserts to allow the much smaller .22 LR cartridges to be chambered. It had beautiful checkered grips, a deep blue finish and was deadly accurate. My aunt gave it to him for Christmas one year.

One night in elk camp, there were mice in the tent. Being somewhat territorial, Chet didn’t care for that. Out came his hog leg and the mice lost.

He sold that revolver some years ago. I’m hoping it went to a good home.

We’ve Got Mail

“Just finished a great read by Dave Workman, ‘Politics Be Damned (Temporarily).’ Sure do wish you’d have more articles like this. Fun read! Love that guy’s style of writing.” —Ben Wah

Workman Reply: Ben, thanks so much for reading. I’ll try to keep this column fun, while being informative. Stay safe and shoot straight!

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