The number of people who are trying to buy guns keeps breaking records

One of the biggest measures of gun sales is setting record after record.

July marked the highest number of firearm background checks ever for a July since the FBI began to handle the permit applications. This is the 15th time in a row in which the number of permits hit a record for that calendar month.

While the background checks do not measure direct gun sales, they do provide a strong indication of where sales are going and how many people are trying to make purchases.

The reading is also backed up by recent strong earnings from gunmaker Smith & Wesson, which saw a 22% jump in sales during it's most recent quarter from the same time period in 2015. Additionally, Sturm Ruger reported a 19% increase in sales during its earnings on Wednesday.

As we've noted before, mass shootings such as those that took place in San Bernandino, Orlando, and Dallas have correlated to a rise in sales, especially as gun-control rhetoric has increased during the 2016 elections.

Add that up and you have record demand for guns.

Business Insider/Andy Kiersz

NOW WATCH: Watch the emotional plea the mother of an Orlando victim made for gun control