Medford, Ore. — The FBI reported a 6% increase of background checks for purchasing firearms within the last year. That’s a trend that’s consistent throughout local gun shops as well.
The FBI reported more than one-point eight-million background checks were conducted nationally in the last year. Numbers tend to go up after mass shootings and in election seasons. Customers aren’t always who you would expect.
“It varies, it’s probably one of the most dramatically varying age groups that is out there, people in their late 80’s, it’s something you can get into at any points in your life,” Jonathan Purtzer said, owner of Guns R Us in Medford.
Purtzer also said the number one reason people purchase a gun is for home protection. However, your home is also where you should be most cautious with your weapons. You can take steps toward gun safety at home like taking gun safety courses or even just locking up firearms in a safe.
If sales continue to rise at this rate, 2016 will be the record-breaking year for gun sales.
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