Gun sales spike as Democrats take control of Congress and key states

Firearm sales have surged following Tuesday's elections, in which Democrats gained control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, according to gun rights advocates. The shift in power also saw Democrats secure trifectas in state governments, including Pennsylvania and Arizona, prompting expectations for new gun control legislation.

Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, noted that gun sales spiked in the weeks leading up to the election and have continued to rise. He predicted that new state legislatures will move quickly to implement measures such as permits to purchase, extended waiting periods, and stricter concealed carry restrictions to address what he described as a wave of progress for gun control groups.

Federal Bureau of Investigation data shows that October recorded more than 2.2 million NICS background checks, up from two million in September. While this is the third-highest month of 2026, it follows January and February, which recorded 2.3 million and 2.4 million checks respectively. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case challenging state and local bans on semi-automatic rifles on December 2.

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