According to the FBI, there were 2.6 million background check requests for gun sales last month. Compared to January of 2022 the number of gun sales in the US has increased by 100,000.
In Maryland, where the number of background check requests more than doubled (133.6 percent) amid a steady rise in gun sales despite a series of shooting incidents, it soared from 17,000 last year to 39,000 this year. This means that as many as 39,000 people purchased firearms in January alone, and since used transactions or rentals are not included in the tally, the actual number is estimated to be higher.
Oregano, which recorded the next highest increase, recorded an 88.7% increase from 29,000 last year to 55,000 this year, recording the highest number of views. Virginia rose 9% from 41,000 last year to 45,000 this year, ranking 14th.
As of January 2023, there were 5 million registered firearms, followed by Texas with 588,000, California with 344,000, Florida with 343,000, Virginia with 307,000, and Pennsylvania with 236,000.