Oct. 27, 2008
Gun Sales Thriving Despite Tough Economy
Washington Post: Purchases Up 8 To 10 Percent Due To Economic Concerns And Fears Of More Gun Control If Obama Wins Election
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In 2008, there were 8.4 million background checks from Jan. 1 to Sept. 28, compared with 7.7 million in the same period last year, a 9 percent increase, according to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. (AP)
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Americans have cut back on buying cars, furniture and clothes in a tough economy, but there's one consumer item that's still enjoying healthy sales: guns. Purchases of firearms and ammunition have risen 8 to 10 percent this year, according to state and federal data.
Several variables drive sales, but many dealers, buyers and experts attribute the increase in part to concerns about the economy and fears that if Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois wins the presidency, he will join with fellow Democrats in Congress to enact new gun controls. Obama has said that he believes in an individual right to bear arms but that he also supports "common-sense safety measures."
"Even though [Obama] has a lot going for him, he's not very pro-gun," said Paul Pluff, a spokesman for Massachusetts-based Smith & Wesson, which has reported higher sales. Gun enthusiasts are "going to go out and get [firearms] while they still can."
Gun purchases have also been climbing because of the worsening economy, which fuels fears of crime and civil disorder, industry sources and specialists said.
"Generally, we know that hard economic times always result in firearm sales," said James M. Purtilo of Silver Spring, who publishes the Tripwire Newsletter.
Gary Kleck, a researcher at Florida State University's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice whose work was cited in the District's recent Supreme Court gun-control case, said that although there are no scientific studies linking gun sales and economic conditions, people often buy firearms during periods of uncertainty. People often buy weapons because of concerns about personal safety or government actions to limit access to firearms, causing spikes in sales, Kleck said.
Industry experts and law enforcement officials point to several examples over the years. In 1994, there was a rush to buy guns when President Bill Clinton pushed for a ban on military-style semiautomatic rifles. Handgun sales jumped last year after the massacre at Virginia Tech as some worried about personal protection and others feared sweeping restrictions on handguns, pushing applications for concealed gun permits in Virginia alone up 60 percent. People also rushed to buy guns after the 1992 riots in Los Angeles and the breakdown of order in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Bob Leyshion, who visited a gun shop in Manassas recently, said the economic crisis and Obama's lead in the polls were on his mind.
"People are preparing for catastrophe right now," said Leyshion, 55, of Nokesville. "It's insurance. With the stock market crash and people out of work, and the illegal aliens in this area, the probability of civil disorder is very high."
Gun owners haven't been especially thrilled about the prospect of Sen. John McCain in the White House. They see the Arizona Republican as less of a threat than Obama, but they are still angry over McCain's support for certain gun-control measures in the past, such as requiring purchasers at gun shows to undergo background checks.
Gun owners said McCain's moose-hunting running mate, Alaska Gov.
"The industry and sportsmen have not been in love with McCain, but the selection of Palin wiped that all away," said Anthony Aeschliman, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
More than three dozen interviews with gun dealers and buyers in Virginia and Maryland and with experts nationwide indicated that the increase in gun sales appears to be driven predominantly by concerns about the presidential election and the economy.
Gun buyers were more likely to say they were responding to the political situation than to the economy, and all but three people said they feared that Obama would restrict gun rights. Two who indicated that they would support Obama anyway said their concerns about the economy and health care outweighed those about gun rights.
Most buyers who emphasized the economy said they thought the worsening situation could lead to an increase in crime and jeopardize their safety. A few said they were buying guns as an investment.
"Look at the political situation and the financial situation," said Fred Russell, owner of Russell's Gun Emporium in Hagerstown, Md. "It's common sense. People are scared."
Brad, 42, and Margaret Marcus, 47, who were at a Fairfax County shooting range recently with their two children for weekly target practice, said they sped up the purchase of two semiautomatic rifles that had been banned during the Clinton administration because they feared they could become illegal again if Obama wins. The couple, who run an online retailing business from their Ashburn home, said they viewed Obama's remarks about protecting the Second Amendment as campaign trail "pandering."
"I think right now people are scared Obama is going to take their rights away," said Margaret Marcus, who was carrying a Glock 19 9mm semiautomatic pistol under a blue jean jacket embroidered with "Winnie the Pooh" characters. "He's definitely anti-gun, despite what you see in the mainstream media."
Law enforcement and industry data and anecdotal reports show that guns are selling well this year. In 2008, there were 8.4 million background checks from Jan. 1 to Sept. 28, compared with 7.7 million in the same period last year, a 9 percent increase, according to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
The increase is also notable because it follows a heavy year for gun purchases, which industry officials and experts link to the Virginia Tech shootings in April 2007 and a burgeoning housing market crisis. NICS checks show a 20 percent increase in April 2007, compared with the previous year.
This year's jump is a continuation of a trend that began in 2006, about the time the housing bubble popped in parts of the nation, and remained steady last year as the political season began to take shape and the housing crisis grew. It is also a bigger jump than the average annual increases of about 5 percent or less typical since instant background checks began in 1998.
Federal tax data also show that quarterly excise taxes collected on sales of firearms and ammunition have increased about 10 percent this year, compared with last year, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Gunmakers see the same trend. "We're ahead of last year," said Pluff, of Smith & Wesson. "There's a few things that drive the market, and one of them is political elections."
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On a recent weekend, a crowd of lookers and buyers milled around in the Virginia Arms Co. in Manassas. Some were shopping for large-capacity magazines, or clips, that attach to firearms and hold additional rounds of ammo. Those were banned during the Clinton administration and became legal again when the ban expired.People are preparing for catastrophe right now... It's insurance. With the stock market crash and people out of work, and the illegal aliens in this area, the probability of civil disorder is very high.
Bob Leyshion"I'm looking for gun clips because I got the funny feeling that prices are going to rise, or they're going to be banned," said Wayne Heglar, 48, who lives in Aldie and builds custom motorcycles. Heglar said he also planned to stock up on ammo.
"When the Democrats are in office, it seems like anti-gunners come out of the woodwork," Heglar said. He said he expected Obama to use tax law to restrict gun ownership. "A bullet will be a luxury," he said.
At Clark Brothers Gun Shop in Warrenton, a sign over the door says: "Experts Agree . . . Gun Control Works!" Underneath are photos of Hitler, Stalin, Fidel Castro and Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi. There are also posters that criticize Obama's record on guns.
Steve Clark, the shop's owner, said customers have been buying weapons they fear would be restricted and that have been before, such as Colt AR-15s, semiautomatic rifles that go for $1,100.
"What I hear a lot is fear that Barack will win the election and tax everything to the point that you can't afford anything," said salesman Eugene Proko, 51.
By Fredrick Kunkle
© 2008 The Washington Post Company
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See all 253 CommentsBuy many weapons.
Posted by bm6005 at 12:10 PM : Oct 27, 2008
I think you are right.
Most police officers NEVER fire their guns during their careers; why citizens fool themselves into thinking they are in more danger than police astounds me. I have no problem with guns for self-protection, hunting, or sport; but they only need to be sufficient in power for the task they are supposed to do. Semi and full atomatic guns and rifles don''t really have a place in a civilized society. Exactly how many guns do you actually need for protection? Why does registration really scare gun owners so much?
Posted by bm6005 at 12:10 PM : Oct 27, 2008
LOL What a moonbat. Are you "Johnny Reb?"
Posted by ken1dall at 12:56 PM : Oct 27, 2008
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An armed man wants a cupie doll. An unarmed man is that little duck pegged in that shooting game at the carnival...
This is why people are buying guns, they are getting ready for what is coming if Obama gets elected!
The reason people have been loading their guns over the last few months is the economy... they are afraid of home invasions and robberys as people lose their jobs and houses. Desperation will make even normally honest people do drastic things to feed their families.
It doesn''t make any difference who gets into office, the problem is already with us. The last 8 years gave the winner of this election these problems.
We should all be part of the solution no matter who wins. Think as positive as you can.
Of course, all those soon to be muggers and robbers need them for when their jobs are gone and they are on their last string and need to start knocking over gas stations, people at ATM''s restaurants etc
Here''s that breaking news today maistream media refuses to report: The Redistribution of wealth according to Obama from a 2001 interview with NPR.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3DrrwtqPt0
Is the wacko Republican hillaryin012 talking about the socialist Palin? Or the Marxist McSame who voted for the corporate welfare bailout.
Posted by bob5ford
Yeah and then live where when it''s 20 below zero? in the park? the woods? you can''t just move onto someone''s private property with a tent and all land now is owned by SOMEONE unlike in the 1850''s when it was all wilderness up for grabs and no highways or fences.
The propaganda efforts of this MOST corrupt institution is not be well received by We The People.
No "free and fair" election in 2008.
Just more brainwashing and contaminating of the "masses" by our liberal wolfpack press.
Naughty ...........left-wingers........
Not only that but our Federal defcit has doubled since the clueless left-wingers, Nancy and Harry took control.
And if Obama wins we will have the "Axis of Liberal Incompetence"........ Obama, Harry, and Nancy.
A Chicago Gangster.... a Las Vegas Mobster.....and a San Francisco Snobster.........
The Democrats can''t run anything.........SAD.
.............JUST TWO YEARS IS ENOUGH.........
YES I HAVE SAID THIS SINCE LAST JULY! THANKS PELOSI FOR SPEAKING OUT! BUSH IS A TOTAL FAILURE AND WORST PRESIDENT LIAR TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE GOING OVER U.N. TO INVADE IRAQ WITH NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION FOUND! HE NEEDS TO GET OUT NOW SINCE OUR COUNTRY IS IN HIS RUINS! OUT! OUT! OUT! 2 MONTHS LEFT! OR HE WILL INVADE IRAN NEXT!
"You know, God bless him, bless his heart, president of the United States, a total failure, losing all credibility with the American people on the economy, on the war, on energy, you name the subject," Pelosi replied. She then tsk-tsked Bush for "challenging Congress when we are trying to sweep up after his mess over and over and over again."
Posted by patrik1974 at 02:00 PM : Oct 27, 2008
In the survival scenario you are suggesting the little 100 lb wimp with a gun will eat while the family of the 250 lb "real man" without a gun is putting him in the ground.
In a real survival situation where it''s either me & mine or you & yours lives another day, I''ll take my chances with a gun.
Let''s hope it doesn''t come to that.
Posted by ConDumbistan
how fast can you run?
The Democrats are responsible for our finanical mess.
From 1998 to 2007 Freddie and Fannie both quasi-government agencies run by flaming liberals put over a trillion dollars of sub-prime mortgages on their balance sheets.
And during this time they bundle this mortgages into securities and sold them to WallStreet.
When the housing bubble burst, Dems fault, these securities have fallen in value leading to our currently situation.
Unfortunately the most corrupt institution in America, our liberal fascist press just can''t tell the American people the truth.
............So I will.................
What you gonna do when Democrats pick up 6 - 9 senate seats next week? YOu could always point your gun towards your face and pull the trigger.
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Posted by ConDumbistan
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ConDumbistan, what are you going to do if they incompetent anti- business Democrats can''t get Big Business to generate new jobs?
What are you going to do with the millions of Americans that we be unemployed?
Better get yourself a gun.............
Democrats have NEVER solved problems.
They just create "poor people". Please reference the FACT that only 22% of the innocent chilren in the deep blue city of Detroit ever graduate from even High School? What happens to the only 78% of innocent children that don''t.
In Detroit the DEMOCRATS are producing future poor people at the rate of 78%
Give your contaminated self a pat on the back ConDumbistan............your clueless too......SAD
Let''s be CLEAR and TRUTHFUL............
The Democrats are responsible for our finanical mess.
From 1998 to 2007 Freddie and Fannie both quasi-government agencies run by flaming liberals put over a trillion dollars of sub-prime mortgages on their balance sheets.
And during this time they bundle this mortgages into securities and sold them to WallStreet.
When the housing bubble burst, Dems fault, these securities have fallen in value leading to our currently situation.
Unfortunately the most corrupt institution in America, our liberal fascist press just can''''t tell the American people the truth.
............So I will.................
Posted by bob5ford at 02:12 PM : Oct 27, 2008
My God man! You injecting common sense into a group of people that are unable to exist without having a scapegoat for their problems. If they can''t point at other people for their problems their whole world will come crashing down. Personal responsibility is a concept that is not acceptable to these folks. You''re just asking to be attacked with a post like that.
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Posted by noloyalisti
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noloyalisti use sound like you''re pretty contamintated too. Probably from all the propaganda coming from this new breed of Liberal Fascists that run our "free left-wing press".
It was your hero''s that tried to take away the "secret ballot" when folks are voting whether to accept a mob-run union.
Sad creature.............I feel sorry for you.
I beg to differ... The guns, on the other hand, will provide both food and protection for those who have them. It''''s hard to kill a deer or other game with a rock. It''''s also hard to hold off those who would take your food away from you with a club or knife. ... We will eat and be safe. What are you going to do????
Posted by bob5ford at 01:42 PM : Oct 27, 2008
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And just how many people, particularly city people, do you think know how to hunt deer, much less what to do with one AFTER they harvest it?
Got news for ya. Bambi isn''t just sitting in the woods munching on grass and corn waiting for you to come get her. Most of the time she knows you are there before you see her and she avoids you. She has ears that hear a hundred yards, and a nose that can smell you 50 yards away, especially if you are upwind. She has spent her life dodging wolves and coyotes, and others trying to end her life.
Most of the folks you are describing will end up out in the woods, lost, cold, and hungry, or killing eachother because they shoot at anything that moves.
And to think they are going out there with AR-15s. Sheesh, what a tragic set of circumstances are about to occur.
I am for gun ownership, have several myself, but people need to take extensive classes to own them. Otherwise, unfortunately, you are going to see many more stories like the one of the 8-year-old and the Uzi that was in the news this AM, and that was with ''supervision".
Posted by docpeter1953 at 02:28 PM : Oct 27, 2008
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This kid that got shot was with a gun instructor at some kind of gun exhibition. He just lost control of the gun he was shooting and shot himself.
Posted by Darkangel421 at 02:31 PM : Oct 27, 2008
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And your point of contention with my statement is????
I would think an instructor would/should be able to supervise, right?
Posted by blindhowlin at 02:36 PM : Oct 27, 2008
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Why do you think the mfg. of small hair dryers always place the warning on the unit that says "Caution do not use in the shower"? It''s because idiots have done this in the past and were killed.
Posted by hillaryin012 at 02:40 PM : Oct 27, 2008
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Buy a new gun, I am looking at the Glock in a 0.40 S&W with a 15 round magazine. I think I''ll vote for Obama.
America is not a democracy, it is a Fascist Nation that allows dumb people to vote.
Posted by ConDumbistan at 02:41 PM : Oct 27, 2008
Where did you get four fifths? Is there a legitimate poll out there with a link that you can post?? Or did you have to stand up to pull that stat out?
Or the flint hand guns popular in the early 1800''s
Of course now-a-days black powder will be difficult to get, so one step at a time.
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