Gun sales skyrocket on Black Friday

There were approximately 185,713 background checks last year on Black Friday.

» RELATED: As gun sales slump, Black Friday offers day of redemption

Gun makers and retailers have increased their marketing efforts this year to sell firearms at special sales rates on Black Friday and the holiday season. Firearms makers are pulling out all the stops to get rid of an excess of inventory built up after fears that a Democrat in the presidential office would push tighter gun control.

During the presidential campaign, retailers stocked up on firearms — anticipating increased gun sales if Hillary Clinton won. Instead, they saw sales slump when President Trump won since it seems unlikely that gun control laws would be tightened under a Republican president.

Gun and ammunition stores brought in $8.6 billion in revenue in 2016 and employs about 79,764, according to research from IBISWorld.

The firearms industry has seen upheaval on the retail side. For local gun shop owners, Black Friday is a chance to bring in loyal customers amid a "gun sale recession." David Becker, owner of The Miami Armory, said the political environment has impacted sales this year compared to the bump received during the presidential election.

“If you’re a smaller gun shop, you had to struggle through the summer months. It was brutal for the first time in a long time,” he said.

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