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Rise in US gun sales during the pandemic linked to extremist beliefs

People in the US who purchased a gun during the pandemic were more likely to support extreme political beliefs and engage in violent behaviour than people who bought a gun before March 2020

By Grace Wade

16 February 2023

BURBANK, CA - MARCH 17: Shoppers wait in line to purchase ammunition and guns at Gun World in Burbank on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 as US sales of guns and ammunition soar amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

People waiting to purchase ammunition and guns in March 2020

Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

People who bought a gun in the US during the covid-19 pandemic are more likely to have extreme political beliefs and thoughts of suicide or violence than those who purchased a gun before the pandemic. The finding suggests that pandemic-era gun buyers may be at a higher risk of committing violence either against themselves or others.

US gun sales rose dramatically during the covid-19 pandemic. From 2019 to 2020, there was a 64 per cent increase in firearm purchases, and …

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