The number of FBI background checks required for Americans to purchase a gun set a record at the end of 2012.
It follows the Newtown, Connecticut school massacre and renewed talks on possible gun control.
The FBI conducted more than 2.7 million background checks for gun purchases in December alone. For all of 2012, the FBI conducted more than 19 million checks, which also appears to be a record high.
December is typically the busiest month for checks because of Christmas gifts. Someone who passes one check is able to buy multiple firearms.
President Barack Obama has said he will push for new gun control legislation, including a possible proposed ban on semiautomatic weapons. A task force, created by the president, must come up with "concrete" solutions to curb gun violence and have them to Obama before the end of January.
