Gun Makers Are Reeling Even as Threat of Regulation Recedesbr background checks on prospective firearms buyers — a rough proxy for sales — surged nearly 50 percent in the month of thebr Sandy Hook attack in 2012, compared with the same month a year earlier, as calls rang out for tighter legislation.br Formerly Smith & Wessonbr Firearm background checks, often used as a proxy for firearm sales (for whichbr data is not readily available), fell farther last year than they had before.br Firearm background checks, often used as a proxy for firearm sales (for whichbr data is not readily available), fell farther last year than they had before.br Firearm background checks, often used as a proxybr for firearm sales (for which data is not readilybr available), fell farther last year than they had before.br Firearm background checksbr Guns flooded into the American market in the past decade as manufacturing surged duringbr the Obama administration, creating an inventory glut that now exceeds slowing demand.