2015: 531,876. As far as Buncombe County goes, it gets a little complicated to ferret out all the information. "We issue pistol permits, but one of the complicating factors is you don't need a permit to buy any type of AR-15 or shotgun, so that's not going to be a good indicator of how many background checks have been conducted by licensed firearm dealers," Sheriff's Office spokesman Aaron Sarver said via email. Those types of weapons — AR-15s, other rifles and shotguns — are called "long guns." Gun shops will run a background check when you buy one, but an individual can sell one to someone else without a federal check.