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Florida gun sales were up 14 percent in 2015, eclipsing the record set following the Sandy Hook shootings. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the state’s background check system also turned down more than 11 thousand would be gun buyers.

More than 137 thousand people sought to buy guns in December alone. The year saw a record 885 thousand background checks conducted, up more than 109 thousand from they year before.

Sales spiked following the San Bernardino shootings and Marion Hammer of the state’s NRA chapter says the record sales are due in part to people realizing police can’t be everywhere.

“And when the White House starts talking about gun control, and banning guns, People start to get serious about their own protection” says Hammer.

Here in Florida, State Senator Arthenia Joyner has introduced legislation that would close the so called gun show loophole. It would require all sales to go through a licensed firearms dealer, which triggers a background check.

“No one should be exempt from the background check” says Joyner.

And while a record number of people did buy a gun, more than eleven thousand didn’t pass a background check and were turned down.”

The NRA remains opposed to ending casual sales between individuals.

“You don;’t have to be a licensed car sales man or car dealership to sell a private vehicle to a neighbor or a friend or child” says Hammer.

The gun show legislation has been referred to three committees, including one chaired by one of the states most ardent gun rights supporters.

Federal law makes it crime to sell a weapon to someone you should reasonable know can’t own a gun. About 1300 people who were originally turned down by the firearm background check program were able to successfully appeal the decision.