Pennsylvania Gun Sales Set Record In 2020

HARRISBURG, PA — Gun sales in Pennsylvania appeared to be up sharply during the last few months of 2020, with state police conducting more instant background checks than at any time in the history of the system.

From Oct. 1-Dec. 31, state police conducted 420,581 firearm background checks, officials announced. That's up dramatically from the 272,901 conducted in 2019 — a 47 percent increase.

As a result of the checks, 7,458 Pennsylvanians were denied the right to buy a gun. Of those, 1,317 were referred to state, federal or local law enforcement and 52 people were arrested on outstanding warrants while they were making the firearm purchase.

The spike in gun sales came at a tumultuous time for Pennsylvania and the rest of the nation. The quarter began seven months into the coronavirus pandemic and included a heated presidential election in which President-elect Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump and Trump falsely and repeatedly told followers that widespread voter fraud contributed to his defeat.

"Our department is proud of (the Pennsylvania Instant Check System) and the men and women behind the system who worked hard to meet record-setting demand throughout 2020," said Capt. Mark Shaver, assistant director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Records and Identification. "For the year, we saw a 47 percent increase in PICS requests from 2019 and the team stepped up to answer the call during a global pandemic."

The fourth quarter of 2020 capped what had already been an apparent spike in gun sales in Pennsylvania. The previous record had been set in the quarter running from July-September, when 406,151 background checks had been conducted.

Established in 1998, Pennsylvania's instant-check system is used by county sheriffs, police chiefs, and licensed firearm dealers to determine someone's legal ability to get a firearm license or buy a gun through purchase or transfer.

When somebody gives false information on a state or federal form, it is investigated by law enforcement. In Pennsylvania, it is a third-degree felony to make a false statement when trying to buy a firearm.