Even though David Hoagland Jr. could not legally own a gun, he was still able to get an unregulated replica of a 19th century revolver that police said he used to kill his estranged wife and himself.

A product shot of a Smith & Wesson Model 610 10MM revolver. Background checks — used as a gauge of consumer gun sales — are poised to set a new annual record in 2019. Editor's note: This story is ...