As we reported in September, citing the FT, "gun sales this year could surpass the record set in 2013, when gun purchases surged after the December 2012 Sandy Hook murders." And given that Black Friday background checks broke all previous records, it appears we are well on our way.

... the calls for tighter gun laws lead to an increase in weapons sales. "Once the public hears the president on the news say we need more gun controls, it tends to drive sales," said Mr Hyatt, who owns one of the largest gun retailers in the US. "People think, if I don't get a gun now, it might be difficult to get one in the future. The store is crowded."

"We don't want our business to be based on tragedy but we have to deal with what we have no control over," Mr Hyatt said. "And after these shootings and then the calls for tougher gun laws, we see a buying rush."

This is not surprising: as Wired noted back in 2013, sharp spikes in gun sales usually following mass shootings for several reasons.