(News-Press.com) - In addition to TVs and toys, many Florida shoppers are buying guns this holiday season.
On Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, more than 8,000 calls for background checks on firearm sales were made to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. That number is the third-highest in state history and was nearly four times more than an average day that month.
The state's two previous highs were Dec. 20 and 21 — with 8,436 and 8,730 checks, respectively — of 2012, just days after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
When someone goes to purchase a gun, the dealer or store will call the FDLE to run a background check, said FDLE spokesperson Gretl Plessinger. The check searches an applicant's criminal history, if they have any warrants as well as a "database for mental incompetence." The process has been streamlined to the point where it's almost instantaneous. "We're able to do a computer check in just a few seconds," Plessinger said.
Many potential buyers are able to walk into a store, have their background checked and walk out with a gun, Plessinger said. This is one of the many reasons Southwest Florida gun shop owners pointed to when explaining the large number of background checks this holiday season.
While statewide gun sales may have spiked, the results among local gun stores were mixed. "They weren't great this year," said Jon Dezendorf, general manager of Fowler Firearms, of sales.
Dezendorf said his store stays busy due to people using the range, not as much from gun sales. But he does have theories as to why gun sales may be up statewide. There are more gun shops than in years past, he said, but there's also been a shift in attitudes.
"Last year, women didn't go out to do that as much," he said of coming to gun ranges or buying guns. "Now gun shops are changing." Fowler Firearms runs a ladies' day on Thursdays, where range and rentals are free, Dezendorf said, and he's noticed many more female customers than years past.
As for that surge on Black Friday, Dezendorf said it's simple. "The only reason it was busy is because people have the day off."
Business has been steady at Guns on 41 since October, said owner Travis Brunson. Increased availability (more stores) and the process becoming quicker are just some reasons Brunson said may have led to the boom in sales.
While he wasn't surprised there were more background checks on Black Friday, he did not think it would be this dramatic. "Double, sure. Four times more? No way."
Locally, an influx of tourists — some of whom come from states with stricter gun laws —always helps sales, Brunson said.
Issues in the news, including the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and the campus shooting at Florida State University, may be a reason why someone would buy a gun, Brunson said. "That's part of it too. The world will never stop being interesting."
While she hasn't heard any customers reference Ferguson or other news stories, Pippa Steinhart, owner of Naples Gun Range & Emporium, said she has experienced an increase in business and more people taking concealed carry classes this year.
"It's funny, Naples is so seasonal. So we've definitely gotten a bump from the snowbirds," she said. "A lot of people are back."
Whatever the reason, Brunson said now is a great time for potential or current gun enthusiasts. "It's a good time to be a buyer."
By The Numbers
Florida Department of Law Enforcement background checks for firearm sales 2004-2014.
•There were 8,310 checks on Nov. 28, the third-highest single-day number in state history. The two highest days were Dec. 20 and 21 of 2012 with 8,436 and 8,730 checks, respectively.
•The seven days (Dec. 15-21) after the Dec. 14, 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 26 dead there were 48,372 background checks, including the two busiest days in state history.
•With 131,103, December 2012 was the month with the most checks on record. The two Decembers prior had 136,418 checks combined.
•News stories related to guns may have sparked sales this year. A grand jury decision not to indict Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown happened on Nov. 24. A gunman opened fire on the Florida State University campus on Nov. 20.
•November had 72,908 total background checks this year, up from last year's 71,461.
•On Christmas Day, 2012 there was one background check; the next Christmas there were three.
•As of Dec. 7 of this year, there have been 18,747 checks.
