Gun sales in 2021 are close to being higher than any year but one, with two months left to go, according to newly released data. Over 1.4 million background checks were carried out by the FBI for gun sales in October, according to an analysis of bureau figures by the National Sports Shooting Foundation, a group that represents gun manufacturers. The FBI publishes monthly instant background check data and the group separates out requests pertaining to permits and permit rechecks. The FBI reported conducting nearly 2.6 million checks in October. “Background checks for gun sales continue to be strong and steadily rising,” Mark Olivia, director of public affairs for the foundation, told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement. “This continued and sustained pace of background checks for the sale of a firearm, that is climbing in the closing months of 2021, shows the resiliency of the firearm manufacturers to meet this …