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Gun background checks on the rise before Election Day

Posted at 11:13 AM, Nov 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-07 11:13:27-05

FORT MYERS, Fla-- The presidential election is just days away and the latest FBI data shows gun related background checks are on the rise. Florida recording nearly 112,000 checks in October, contributing to the more than 2.3 million checks nationwide. 

Fowler Firearms in Fort Myers said it's not uncommon for gun advocates and stores to advertise gun sales leading up to an election. 

"At the moment a lot of people are pushing Clinton sales," said store manager Jon Dezendorf. 

Fowler Firearms said despite lines for their gun range, their firearm sales aren't shooting through the roof, reporting average numbers for this time of year. 

"I'm assuming they're waiting until after the election," said Dezendorf. 

Southwest Florida residents may be waiting until after November 8th, but that isn't stopping others throughout the state from arming themselves before Election Day. FBI statisticsshow more than 111,000 gun background checks in October, the most reported for the month in nearly two decades. 

"Like any other business just sales and advertising is what it is, it's just advertising for something that you can push at the moment," said Dezendorf. 

Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have talked about gun rights and laws throughout the campaign season, but Fowler Firearms said it's unclear once a new president gets into office how things would change. 

"We don't know for sure if they would change drastically or not, but we assume something would change," said Dezendorf. 

To read more about the FBI statistics: CLICK HERE