Rise in US gun sales during the pandemic linked to extremist beliefs

People in the US who purchased a gun during the pandemic were more likely to support extreme political beliefs and engage in violent behaviour than people who bought a gun before March 2020



Society



16 February 2023

People waiting to purchase ammunition and guns in March 2020

Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

People who bought a gun in the US during the covid-19 pandemic are more likely to have extreme political beliefs and thoughts of suicide or violence than those who purchased a gun before the pandemic. The finding suggests that pandemic-era gun buyers may be at a higher risk of committing violence either against themselves or others.

US gun sales rose dramatically during the covid-19 pandemic. From 2019 to 2020, there was a 64 per cent increase in firearm purchases, and …

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