Black Friday saw gun sales across the United States soar to unprecedented heights.

The FBI said it completed 214,913 background checks that day, up more than 11,000, or 5.5%, from the previous record set in 2017.

“The background checks reported by the FBI are in keeping with the trends NSSF has seen throughout the year. Firearm sales remain consistently strong, with over a million per month for more than four years running,” National Shooting Sports Foundation President Joe Bartozzi said.

Background checks closely follow gun purchases, though they are also done for security checks.

Black Friday Always a Big Day for Gun Sales

Gun store owners, like James Frazier of Sharpshooters Store in Greenville County, South Carolina, said he wasn’t surprised. Black Friday, he said, is always the busiest day of the year.

But why the surge in sales? Frazier believes it’s a sign of the times. President Joe Biden’s call for stricter gun control, as well as crime concerns, could be prompting people to buy both handguns and rifles.

“If you look at what’s going on in the world right now, there are a lot of people that are somewhat in fear for their lives,” Frazier told television station WSPA.

David Nadel, a Greenville resident and gun owner, echoed this sentiment. He said he bought guns for self-protection — and because it’s fun to shoot.

“Some of the other ones are, of course, for just plain out fun,” he said.

Rules of Gifting Guns

But amidst the buying frenzy, a word of caution: gifting guns is not as simple as wrapping a bow around a rifle.

Federal law prohibits selling or giving firearms to anyone under 18 or anyone who wouldn’t pass a background check. Violators could face up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines.

Importance of Proper Training

Frazier, the gun shop owner, also emphasized the importance of proper training for new gun owners.

“They need to be able to do this safely, not only for themselves but for the other people around them,” he said.