The number of firearms purchase checks conducted by state police shot up in the first quarter of 2020, and so did the number of denials.

State police reported Tuesday that they conducted 304,876 checks between January and March, nearly 40,000 more than for the same period in 2019.

Police nationwide and the FBI have reported that gun purchase background checks have smashed records over fears relating to the coronavirus and its possible impact on society.

Of the 2020 checks conducted through the Pennsylvania Instant Check System, 4,866 resulted in denials, compared to 3,260 denials for the first quarter of last year, police said.

They said 1,226 of the denials were referred to law enforcement for investigations regarding false statements made on the applications. That is more than double the number referred during the same time frame in 2019.

Police said 42 people were arrested on outstanding warrants as they tried to buy guns.