CHICO, Calif. - The month of May saw the third-highest amount of background checks to purchase guns and ammo in history.

That's 700,000 more compared to May of 2019.

In March, the coronavirus pandemic pushed 3.7 million people to go through background checks. 

The highest number on record, according to the FBI website.

"Right now we're in a busy season unbeknownst to us -- going into the summer, usually we are slower because people are on vacation and things like that," says Will Clark, Owner of Down Range, "But, because of COVID-19 and people being home, people are seeing what's going on and saying ok, but we are seeing a lot of the new firearm purchasers. The number one reason right now, is especially due to COVID-19 and the riots that are happening."

Similar to the increase of background checks in March due to the uncertainties of the pandemic, last month saw an increase due to the uncertainties of police protection and rioting across the country.

New gun owners like Brian Doe says,"[I]recently bought my first handgun in March I wasn't too into guns before. It's another source of protection at home. You do hope to not have to use it because I wouldn't want to kill anyone.

May of this year saw the third-highest number of background checks in history.

December of 2015 is the second-highest on record with 3.3 million.