Via Fox Business:
The Southport, Conn.-based gun maker said Wednesday its net sales for the third quarter jumped 34%, as consumers stocked up on concealed-carry pistols and AR-15 rifles. FBI background checks, when adjusted to gauge U.S. gun sales, rose 16% during the same period, according to Ruger.
Ruger CEO Michael Fifer attributed the upbeat quarter to stronger-than-normal summer demand across the industry, likely fueled by the political campaigns ahead of the November elections.
Sales from Ruger’s distributors to retailers were up 21%. The sharp increase suggests that retailers were attempting to get ahead of a potential surge in demand that would limit the availability of firearms after Election Day on Nov. 8.