"You're seeing a reaction to people's concerns about being able to provide safety for themselves and the ones that they love," Oliva told CNN Business.
More than 6.5 million gun-sale background checks were conducted from January 1 through April 30, according to the latest NSSF research, which showed
a 48% year-over-year rise from the same period in 2019. Firearms retailers surveyed by NSSF in May estimated that 40% of their sales came from first-time gun buyers.
Oliva said 40% of those first-time gun buyers were women, a relatively high rate for that demographic group. Although gun sales have been up across the country, a rise in first-time gun buyers in left-leaning states like have helped fuel the national uptick in firearms and ammunition purchases, he noted.
"People are coming off the fences and the sidelines and they're making decisions with their wallets about where they are in this debate about firearms ownership."