<p>How does the threat of adverse policy change influence affected individuals? To answer this question, we explore the responses of gun owners following salient mass shootings and after the election of Democratic presidents. We gather and merge data on the timing and location of mass shootings (2006–2020) and data on the timing of gun purchase background checks from (2006–2020). We exploit the exogenous timing of elections and the resulting determination of future partisan control of the White House over three closely contested presidential elections as well as the timing of mass shootings under a Democratic versus Republican administration. Using regression discontinuity designs, we find that the election and re-election of Barack Obama led to increases in gun sales of 70–210 per 100,000, while the election of Trump was not related to similar increases. Further, we find that salient mass shootings led to substantially higher gun sales during times with Democratic presidents.</p>