Background checks up in states voting on gun-related ballot measures

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) estimates that the number of FBI background checks for firearms purchases nationwide in October rose 11.7 percent over the same month in 2015.

Four states — California, Maine, Nevada and Washington — have measures on the Nov. 8 ballot that would tighten firearms laws. In each of the states, the uptick in the number of firearms background checks was estimated to be above and beyond the national average increase — from 14 percent in Maine to 72 percent in California.

“I can’t say whether it’s all due to the election and extra stuff on the ballot, but it is certainly a possibility,” said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF director of industry research.