This from an email to Tennessee Firearms Dealer from Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Nashville, TN:

The current firearm purchasing craze doesn't appear to be letting up.

TICS (TBI Insta Check) processed 29,531 transactions (gun sales) for Tennessee gun dealers during March 2009.

The previous high for March of any year was 22,077 in 1999.

Last year was the second highest previous year at 21,489.

On December 31, 2008, there were 218,004 persons licensed in Tennessee to carry a handgun. That number has lilely increased considerably in the last three Months.

Notes:

1. "Insta Check" refers to the background check performed by the TBI before a firearms dealer may transfer a gun to the buyer - BWW.
2. The number of Insta Checks only tells us how many people bought guns from a licensed dealer. One or more firearms may be purchased at using one background check.
3. A private sale of firearms when neither is a licensed dealer does not required a background check.