The number of background checks through the mandatory National Instant Check System surged to a record 3.93 million in June 2020, continuing the increase that began during the autumn 2019 presidential campaign.

The FBI released its monthly report on July 1, showing the number of NICS background checks during the prior month. The background checks do not indicate sales, as some prospective buyers may be declined from purchasing. Also, the FBI says, various state laws and purchase scenarios cannot account for a one-to-one correlation between background checks and purchases. The NICS process is mandatory for anyone purchasing a firearm through a Federal Firearm License dealer.

According to the report, a record 3,931,607 NICS checks were performed in June 2020. That topped the 3-million mark in one month for only the fourth time in the program's two-decade history. The others were in March and May 2020, and December 2015.

For May 2020, the FBI reported that 3,091,445 checks were performed.

Sales of firearms and ammunition have surged in the last eight months due to the presidential campaign. Democratic candidates stirred emotions and spurred sales with rhetoric about gun control. After the COVID-19 pandemic began, sales of ammunition spiked in March 2020 during the initial stages of the nationwide lockdown. Gun sales began surging when some officials closed gun stores and ranges, deeming them non-essential, before reversing course. A significant number of those were to first-time buyers, according to the NSSF. 

Sales again surged in June during nationwide upheaval after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Estimates range as high as 2.5 million new gun owners in the first half of the year.

Manufacturers have not been able to keep up with the demand for ammunition, especially in popular calibers such as 9mm, .38, .223 and others.