Firearm sale background checks performed by the FBI in 2019 reached its highest level on record since the system first began tracking numbers in 1998.

Overall, gun sale background checks topped 28,369,750, up 3 percent from the previous record set in 2016, according to data released by the FBI and first reported by the Washington Examiner.

The report found that December saw a notable increase in volume with 2,936,894 background checks performed, the second-highest month on record.

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December's gun sales topped even the record set in the months ahead of the 2016 election when President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE was still favored to lose to his opponent, Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Virginia Democrat blasts Trump's 'appalling' remark about COVID-19 deaths in 'blue states' The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally MORE (D), who is a vocal proponent of gun control measures.

“The firearms industry had reason to celebrate in 2019. NICS checks are now increasing," Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation told the Examiner.

Justin Anderson, marketing director for a Charlotte gun manufacturer, told the Examiner that gun sales are driven by local efforts to restrict firearm sales.

“Politics have traditionally fueled industry growth, and this year’s historic NICS record is no different. Intelligent people are seeing the writing on the wall — whether it be Virginia’s test case for gun confiscation or threats of another world war on the horizon. They are arming themselves. Anti-gun politicians should take note. While an armed populace is a polite populace, they do not take well to threats to their freedom," Anderson said.