Former President Donald Trump’s popularity is driving a surge in sales of custom Glock pistols displaying his image and name, one of the latest indications the public is not heeding President Joe Biden’s anti-gun message.
The sales of customized Trump Glock 19s and other handguns carrying his name and image are part of the yearslong surge in sales dating back to his administration.
The FBI and gun industry reported on Tuesday that sales topped 1 million a month in March, the 44th straight month of 1 million or more. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the industry trade group, said FBI background checks for sales were 1,556,492, a slight drop over May 2022.
“That sustained figure is clearly demonstrative of America’s continued desire to exercise their Second Amendment rights to lawfully purchase and own a firearm,” said Mark Oliva, spokesman of the foundation.
“This trend continues even as President Joe Biden demands stricter gun control measures that only place barriers in the way of law-abiding citizens yet does nothing to address the ongoing issues of crime and access to mental health,” he added.
Gun store websites advertising variations of Trump-themed handguns increasingly show that they are “sold out.” Bud’s Gun Shop featured several this week in a marketing email.
Justin Anderson, the marketing director of Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, North Carolina, said that he can’t keep them in stock.
Anderson, who Secrets regularly checks in with to gauge sales, told us, “Every one of our Trump guns sold out just as fast as they came in, owing to the popularity of Mr. Trump. I continue to be amazed at the cult of personality that surrounds the former president.”
As president, Trump was endorsed by the National Rifle Association and regularly appeared at their conventions. While not a shooter, his sons are.
