Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Florida Alert! Florida Sets All-Time Record for Gun Purchase Background Checks

Monday, April 13, 2020

DATE:   April 13, 2020 
TO:       USF & NRA Members and Friends
FROM:   Marion P. Hammer
  USF Executive Director
 

NRA Past President

 

Safety.  Personal safety and safety of family are the reasons for gun purchases of many first-time gun buyers. And, as we are beginning to see, many first-time gun buyers are angry with the gun restrictions they once supported.  Laws that prevent law-abiding people from being able to make purchases without restriction are being called "harassment," "unreasonable," "excessive," and "damned ridiculous." 

The State of Florida logged an all-time high number of gun purchase background checks during March, 2020. One must hope these first-time gun buyers are wise enough to see the error of their previous support for gun control laws they didn't understand.    

Background checks for gun sales reach all-time high in Florida during coronavirus pandemic 

By Merris Badcock, Erik Altmann
WPTV 5 NBC
April 10, 2020 | 5:52 pm 

https://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/background-checks-for-gun-sales-reach-all-time-high-in-florida-during-coronavirus-pandemic

 
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As news of a worldwide coronavirus pandemic broke, many rushed to buy toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and guns.

"We had two to three weeks of an Armageddon-type of set up," said Alex Shkop, owner of Guns & Range Training Center in West Palm Beach.

For weeks, long lines could be seen outside gun stores in West Palm Beach with armed guards or law enforcement standing by to help with crowd control.

Numerous gun shop owners told WPTV Contact 5 on background that many purchasers were first-time gun owners.

"We had people that were basically openly admitting that they have never owned a gun, they have never used a gun," said Shkop. "They were purchasing firearms and they were asking questions like how to use them and how to take care of them. A lot of first-time buyer questions."

Contact 5 asked for records from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and found March 2020 was the highest month on record when it comes to background checks for gun purchases. FDLE keeps data as far back as January 2004…

 

TRENDING NOW
North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Monday, November 17, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly briefly returned from recess and re-referred Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to the House Rules Committee.

A Dozen Towns in New Jersey Have Nullified Carry Permit Fees Through an Initiative Backed by NJFOS, NRA, and CCRKBA.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

A Dozen Towns in New Jersey Have Nullified Carry Permit Fees Through an Initiative Backed by NJFOS, NRA, and CCRKBA.

On November 25th, Howell, in Monmouth County, became the 12th municipality in New Jersey to refund all or substantially all the fees required to obtain a permit to carry. The list now includes towns in ...

New Jersey: Senate Committee Passes Attack on Garden State Shooting Ranges

Thursday, December 4, 2025

New Jersey: Senate Committee Passes Attack on Garden State Shooting Ranges

On Thursday, December 4, the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee advanced legislation that could potentially weaponize local zoning laws against outdoor shooting ranges. According to the bill statement, “This bill requires a municipality in which ...

Ninth Circuit Grants Rehearing En Banc in NRA-Supported Challenge to California’s Ammunition Background Check Requirement

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Ninth Circuit Grants Rehearing En Banc in NRA-Supported Challenge to California’s Ammunition Background Check Requirement

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted rehearing en banc in Rhode v. Bonta—a case backed by the National Rifle Association and California Rifle and Pistol Association.

California: Governor Newsom Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law

Monday, October 13, 2025

California: Governor Newsom Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law

For someone who has claimed to be"...deeply mindful and respectful of the Second Amendment and people’s Constitutional rights,” Governor Gavin Newsom has once again proven that actions speak louder than words.

Florida: Pro-Gun Bill Repealing Adult Age Discrimination Advances to House Vote

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Florida: Pro-Gun Bill Repealing Adult Age Discrimination Advances to House Vote

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee voted 13-7 to favorably report pro-gun House Bill 133, which restores the ability for young adults to lawfully purchase firearms. The bill now heads to the full House, where it is ...

Gun Control Advocates Hope to Create Patchwork of Peril to Suppress Civil Rights

News  

Monday, November 24, 2025

Gun Control Advocates Hope to Create Patchwork of Peril to Suppress Civil Rights

Preemption laws offer legal protection for gun owners, but only when they are enforced.

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

President Trump Signs the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into Law

News  

Friday, July 4, 2025

President Trump Signs the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into Law

Earlier today, on the 4th of July, a day on which our Founding Fathers declared their intent for a free nation, the President of the United State of America, Donald Trump, signed the “One Big ...

Stemming the Criminal Tide in Chicago—Feds Step Up Enforcement

News  

Monday, November 24, 2025

Stemming the Criminal Tide in Chicago—Feds Step Up Enforcement

In August, the Trump White House released an article titled, Yes, Chicago Has a Crime Problem — Just Ask its Residents, which pointedly noted that for “13 consecutive years, Chicago has had the most murders of ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.