Firearm Background Checks Close Out Record Year With 55.76% Jump

Before reports were even in for December 2016, firearm background checks for the year had already surpassed the previous annual record by more than 1.5 million. By the time the final numbers came in, 2016 beat out 2015 by a 2.9-million margin.

With 52,306,187 total checks, every month saw year-to-year increases of more than 108,000 checks, with the highest difference in January at 773,008. Month-to-month trends for 2016 were less stable, with four of the months boasting fewer checks than their forerunners.

FBI records indicate a positive growth trend in year-to-year background check counts. The number of checks increased 11.2 percent between 2001 and 2006 and about 39 percent over the next five years. This translates to a five-year increase of 68.5 percent and a 10-year increase of 80.8 percent.

How Gun Stocks Have Reacted

Here is how some of the gun-related stocks have responded to the trends:

• Sturm Ruger & Co Inc (NYSE: RGR) shares rose about $2.45 throughout December, fell $5.23 throughout 2016, and experienced a five-year increase of $14.02.
• Smith & Wesson Holding Corp (NASDAQ: SWHC) stocks saw a marginal increase of $0.19 throughout December, a loss of about $1.55 throughout 2016, and a significant five-year rise of $16.35.
• Vista Outdoor Inc (NYSE: VSTO) saw a $2.21 decrease throughout December, an annual drop $8.33, and a five-year fall of about $3.

In November, gun stocks had fallen immediately after President Donald Trump’s election. Future policies may influence the charts throughout the coming term.