But this year's sales spike is different because it's being driven by a rise in first-time gun buyers, especially among African Americans and women. About 40% of gun sales in the first four months of the year were made by first-time buyers — far higher than the annual average of 24% over the past two decades, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association that tracks gun sales and analyzes industry trends. Gun sales among Black Americans are up 58% through September, according to the NSSF. "We've never seen a year-over-year increase that large in African-American gun buyers," Oliva told CNN Business. "People are worried about people stealing from other people, breaking into homes," Jefferson told CNN Business.

Source: CNN October 24, 2020 14:48 UTC