No fuel being pumped

"I would get about 6 feet of 5/16 hose and a can of fresh gas, attached right at the pump.
If it will pull gas from the can and run the engine your problem is in the line going all the way back to the tank."

I did this with no gas being pumped. which is why it makes me think its the pump. How often do these pumps fail? its a newer Edelbrock Performer Mechanical pump, the car sat for 6 months. I appreciate the Tech support from everyone.