The firearm buying frenzy continued into 2021 as nearly 5.5 million Americans became first-time gun owners, reports the Washington Examiner. Notably, sales expanded among women, black, Asian, and Hispanic Americans.

The president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Joe Bartozzi, said, “The surveys revealed that new gun owners are continuing to embrace their Second Amendment rights, and nearly half of them are seeking out professional training.”

He continued, “These trends show that not only is there still a strong interest in gun ownership but also that these new gun owners are interested in learning more about the safe and responsible handling, use, and storage of firearms.”

NSSF reported in its annual Firearm Retailer Survey that, in 2021, more than one-third of first-time gun buyers were women, 44% of firearm retailers saw an increase in sales to African-Americans, 40% saw an increase in sales to Hispanic Americans, and more than 27% increased sales to Asian Americans.

The survey also noted increased sales to Native Americans and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders.