Do Guns Go On Sale for Black Friday?

It is common for consumers to look for deals during Black Friday, and this often extends to specialized markets like firearms. Many wonder if the significant discounts seen on other retail goods also apply to guns. Understanding the nature of these promotions, as well as the unique legal aspects of firearm purchases, provides important context for holiday shopping.

The Reality of Black Friday Gun Promotions

While Black Friday is known for steep discounts across various retail sectors, firearms themselves often do not see the dramatic price reductions observed with electronics or clothing. This is partly due to thinner profit margins on new firearms.

Promotions on firearms during Black Friday tend to be more modest, sometimes appearing as rebates from manufacturers or slight price reductions on specific models, particularly older inventory.

Despite less aggressive discounting on the firearms themselves, Black Friday consistently sees a surge in gun purchase background checks, indicating high consumer interest and sales volume. In 2023, the FBI processed over 214,913 background checks on Black Friday alone, setting a new record.

Commonly Discounted Items

While deep discounts on new firearms might be less common, Black Friday is a prime opportunity to find significant savings on a wide array of related items. Accessories frequently go on sale, including optics, holsters, cases, and cleaning kits. These items often have higher profit margins for retailers.

Ammunition is another category that regularly sees considerable Black Friday deals. Shoppers can often find bulk ammunition sales for various calibers.

Shooting ranges and clubs frequently offer Black Friday specials on memberships, range fees, and training courses. These promotions can include reduced initiation fees or discounted hourly rates.

Key Aspects of Purchasing Firearms

Regardless of any Black Friday promotion, purchasing a firearm involves adherence to specific federal laws and regulations, requiring all purchases from a licensed dealer to go through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. The FFL dealer is required to initiate a background check on the prospective buyer through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

To complete a firearm purchase, the buyer must fill out an ATF Form 4473, which includes personal information and questions about eligibility to own a firearm. The NICS check verifies that the buyer is not prohibited from owning a firearm under federal law due to factors such as felony convictions, certain mental health adjudications, or domestic violence restraining orders.

Most NICS checks are processed within minutes, but in some cases, a determination may be delayed, allowing the dealer to proceed with the transfer after three business days if no denial is issued.

Federal law mandates a minimum age of 18 years to purchase a long gun (rifle or shotgun) and 21 years to purchase a handgun from an FFL. Individual states may impose higher age restrictions or additional requirements, such as waiting periods or permits, which buyers must also comply with.