Americans take up more arms

Looks like gun sales so far this month beat last month's record.

CNN reports:

With a few days left in December, the FBI reports the number of background checks has already topped the previous one-month record -- set only in November -- of 1,534,414 inquiries by gun dealers to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System also known as NICS. Almost half a million checks were done in just the last six days before Christmas.

CNN's story goes on to say the number of actual firearm sales likely exceeds the number of background checks. Buyers sometimes pick up more than one gun when making purchases.

I stopped by a sporting goods retailer near my house the day after Christmas. The gun counter was doing a brisk business. Most the customers were looking at guns - with emphasis on shotguns and pistols. Others just wanted more ammo for the guns they got for Christmas.