FBI conducted record number of gun background checks in 2012

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The FBI set a record in December, and in 2012 overall, for the number of background checks they did of Americans trying to purchase guns.

More than 2-million-700-thousand background checks for gun purchases were conducted last month and more than 19 million throughout the year.

One Springfield couple told 22news they're not sure if more background checks will keep guns out of the wrong hands.

According to John Minto, Jr., “I really don't know if background checks are going to affect the amount of guns that are still slipping into the hands of criminals and most of all children.”

Mandy Minto told 22News, “No matter how much they try to crack down on it, unless they eradicate it completely it’s always going to spill into the community.”

December is typically the busiest month for checks because of guns purchased as Christmas gifts.