Thread by @GunsDownAmerica

During the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen a shocking surge in the number of gun sales. So far in 2020, the FBI has recorded over 16.6 MILLION firearm-related background checks, compared to just 9.6 million in the same period last year.

THAT’S A 73% INCREASE.

We also know that gun sales tend to rise over the holiday season. Roughly 30% of annual firearm sales occur during the holiday shopping season between October and December.

That’s why we're calling on large retailers to take action and help protect our communities.

The holiday season isn’t just big for the gun business - it means an increase in death and injuries, too.

The rate of unintentional shootings spikes by about 50% during the holiday season.

And all of these numbers don’t just represent short term problems, either.

Public health experts estimate that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ll see as many as 75,000 additional people die from deaths of despair over the next decade.

That number is compounded by the fact that a new study found that 69% of pandemic gun buyers have thought about ending their life, compared to 37% for the rest of the firearm community.

sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

In the past, we've seen outstanding leadership by the people at companies like @Walmart and @DICKS. Their CEOs have put public safety over profits and pulled guns and ammunition from some or all of their stores.

Now we're calling on them to act again: gunsdownamerica.org/campaign/pause…

Large retailers who sell guns have a huge opportunity to make a positive impact by PAUSING GUN SALES during this holiday season.

Add your name to our petition to urge these companies to save lives and keep our communities safe from gun violence.

gunsdownamerica.org/campaign/pause…