- The FBI conducted more than 3.9 million background checks for the sale, transfer or permitting of firearms in June, up from 2.3 million (June 2019) and the highest monthly total since 1998.
- Under US law, federally licensed gun dealers must perform a background check on all potential buyers.
- Gun background checks had already been surging during coronavirus but spiked following the George Floyd protests.
- Historically, US gun sales have spiked following civil unrest (eg mass shootings).
- Many also fear pushback on gun ownership rights.
