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VERIFY: Are more people trying to get guns in Virginia?

Ever since the Democrats took over in Richmond, there's been a conservative fear that gun restrictions were on the way. So, how have gun sales been impacted?

RICHMOND, Va. — Question 1: 

Have background checks for those trying to buy guns been on the rise? 

Answer: 

Yes. Data from the Virginia State Police show that the number of background checks skyrocketed in January 2020 by 84 percent, compared to January 2019. 

Source:

Virginia State Police

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

Process:

Ever since the Democratic Party took the majority in both chambers of Virginia's statehouse, the debate over stricter gun laws has dominated the discussion. 

The Verify team decided to break down the data to find out if gun sales are on the rise, as a result. Exact data on this is hard to come by, but we get a clearer picture by looking at public data on background checks. 

Background checks are required at all gun stores. A Virginia State Police communications director also said that officers are on location at gun shows, to offer background checks to those who want them. 

According to the Virginia State Police, there were 65,839 background checks done at gun shops across the state. This was an 84 percent increase, from January 2019, when there were 35,764 background checks done. 

As of February 17, there were 36,591 background checks, indicating another month with elevated levels of checks. 

Here are the monthly totals for 2019

January: 35,764
February: 39,300
March: 45,826
April: 32,663
May: 28,425
June: 31,501
July: 30,593
August: 38,256
September: 34,970
October: 38,317
November: 55,086
December: 73,849 

Question 2:

Has there been an increase in gun shops in Virginia? 

Answer:

No. According to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, there has not been an increase in "Federal Firearm Licenses." In fact, the number dropped year-to-year in February. 

Source:

Virginia State Police

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

Source:

Virginia State Police

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

Process:

In order to sell firearms, a business must first acquire a "Federal-Firearm License." An online database compiles a list of all such businesses, across the country. 

There are nine categories of this license, pertaining to various different establishments, including firearm dealers, collectors, ammo dealers, and dealers of "destructive devices." 

According to the ATF, it's necessary to look at four categories of this license to capture all gun dealers in the state:

  • Dealer in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices (Includes Gunsmiths)
  • Pawnbroker in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
  • Manufacturer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices (Included because this license also allows dealing)
  • Importer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices (Included because this license also allows dealing)

When looking solely at these four categories of FFL's, there were 1,924 establishments listed, as of February 10, when the latest data was released. This compared to 1,935 at this time in 2019. 

This data indicates that there has not been a jump in gun shops. In fact, this data suggests that the number of stores licensed to sell has actually dropped, by a small amount.

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