FIREARM SALES REMAIN STRONG IN FEBRUARY

Continuing a trend that began after November's election, firearms sales remained strong in February.

Data from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) show background checks on the sale of firearms jumped 23.3 percent in February to 1,259,078, compared to 1,021,130 in February 2008. The increase follows a 29 percent rise in January, a 24 percent rise in December and a 42 percent jump in November, when a record 1,529,635 background checks were performed.

The continuing increase in firearm sales coincides with an ATF announcement that firearm retailers may continue to photocopy Form 4473 -- the federal document required for purchase of a firearm from a licensed retailer -- in its entirety until they receive requested backorders from the Distribution Center.

An article in Advertising Age magazine last week highlighted the recent rise in sales among both retailers and manufacturers, focusing on companies like Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson and Ruger. NSSF's Ted Novin is quoted in the article.

http://www.nssf.org