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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Add a Comment See all 250 Comments
- That''s why people RELOAD. Unlimited source of new ammo. That kind of blows that $5000 dollar a bullet theory away.
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- Most Wal-Mart stores sell standard calibers of ammunition. I''m betting that after 11/4, most Wal-Marts that sell ammo will be out of stock in a day or two. Even if supply meets demand, the prices will keep going up.
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- Yeah those guns are saving lives like crazy. Get real, they''re being used to commit suicides, and to kill wives, kids. I''m sure we all feel real safe living next store to the armed nut case whose house just went into foreclosure.
These guns are destroying our safety and well being, they don''t protect anything except cherished illusions and gun lobby dollars. - Reply to this comment
- Leave it to the Republican rednecks from the South to stir up fear and hate all in the same breath. The scariest part of it all is that most of the trailer trash will actually gain guns in the name of Jesus. They are worse than the Jihadists.... And you from Alabama, please STAY there! (Your name proves my point!)
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- Stock up now before Obama wins the election. You will need it for the coming revolution in 2012
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- If you actually look at Obama''s voting record on gun rights it is completely anti-gun. Believe what you will - ignorance is bliss.
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- JUST HAVE PLENTY OF AMMO FOR THE GUNS THAT YOU HAVE.
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- Obama has NOT said a single word about trying to limit gun rights. Not one word.
As a gun owner, I have exactly zero concern about electing Barack Obama....but I do have a GIGANTIC concern about electing the Wall Street Candidate: John McCain. McCain''s 15 largest campaign contributors are all Wall Street Banks (opensecrets.org)
Being prepared for civil unrest is a right AND a responsibility...supporting the rich guy with 12 multimillion dollar houses who is openly proposing REDUCING TAXES on hedge fund managers who made 2 to 3 BILLION DOLLARS APIECE LAST YEAR is a crime. - Reply to this comment
- Ha! HA! HA! Ha! HA! You poor republicans, Sarah Palin has sold her skins for some TV time.
www.chilitoz.com is reporting that Sarah Palin has signed a deal with PlayBoy Magazine to posed partially exposed in a future release of the famous nudity magazine in exchange, Heffner will run a multi-million dollar anti Obama add a day before the election. - Reply to this comment
- Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. - Reply to this comment
- Why not? If the economy gets worse more people will want to end it all, maybe even taking a few along with them.
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- Illinois Rifle Association describes Obama as the WORST OF THE WORST when it comes to gun confiscation and gun control. Just because his black brothers and drug dealers in South Side of Chicago like to shoot at each other is no reason to try to ban guns for everyone else. Maybe that idiot Daleys and his cronies and Obama should put more cops on the street, where they are needed, in the middle of the ghettos and do some police enforcement work to put an end to the mayhem.
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- "Gun control is a non issue with democrats. Its just you dumb a$$ republicans who have been brainwashed by the NRA think it is so.
You people *REALLY* should get some meds for that overwhelming paranoia that you suffer from......."
So we are waiting for your intelligent "explanation" of things like "assault weapon ban" which was active for 10 years, chicago and washington dc total gun bans, FOID cards, and other nonsense foisted on law abiding citizens and gunowners by the idiot Democrats and their failed experiments with crime control...
fortunately, the Supreme Court was able to decide what the 2nd amendment really means and settled it once and for all for you moronic and crazed gun grabbers and gun banners. - Reply to this comment
- Anyone know who makes a good gun rack for a prius?
- Reply to this comment
- The Obama Doctrine%u2026%u2026%u2026
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (or needs) is a slogan popularized by Karl Marx in his 1875 Critique of the Gotha Program.[1] The phrase summarizes the principles that, under a Communist System, every person should contribute to society to the best of their ability and consume from society in proportion to their needs,
Regardless of how much they have contributed
The Obama Doctrine%u2026%u2026%u2026
Posted by doctor--cool
Wrong!!! Obama says the richer must pay more if they can afford it, and the middle class needs to pay less in taxes so they can make ends meet. - Reply to this comment
- If Obama wanted to emulate McCain''s attack ads, we would hear robocalls in the Heartland informing America''s patriots that McCain:
a) was in the pocket of former Lincoln Savings & Loan president and convicted criminal Charles Keating;
b) was buddies with fellow convicted criminal Republicans Ted Stevens, Tom Delay, Scooter Libby, Bob Allen, Trent Lott, Jack Abramoff, Don Young, Larry Craig, Randy %u201CDuke%u201D Cunningham, Tom Feeney, Alberto Gonzoles, Bob Ney, Rick Renzi, Richard Curtis, Steven Griles, Mark Foley...etc;
c) accepted political donations from the Watergate convicted criminal G. Gordon Liddy;
d) picked a runningmate mired in scandal (Troopergate) and has acted "unethical" according to her own people - - and doctored expense reports to bilk her taxpayers;
e) gave up information to his communist captors in North Vietnam, whereas other American prisoners did NOT;
McCain has a lot to answer for. You can%u2019t call yourself a patriot while voting for criminals. - Reply to this comment
- texastim5 has an interesting point - he''s suggesting, I think, that we be prepared to become guerilla warriors in our own country, fighting against our own armed military under the command of the president. By all means, buy your weapons if they make you feel more comfortable, but while you''re preparing for a replay of Custer''s Last Stand, can I suggest that peaceful demonstrations and voting might be a good way to spend your time? You do more good by posting your opinions - and reading others - and discussing them (loudly and publicly) than you will ever do with a gun. With another republican regime furthering Cheney''s strong policies of presidential control, we might be safer in Iraq.
- Reply to this comment
- Ha! HA! HA! Ha! HA! You poor republicans, Sarah Palin has sold her skins for some TV time.
www.chilitoz.com is reporting that Sarah Palin has signed a deal with PlayBoy Magazine to posed partially exposed in a future release of the famous nudity magazine in exchange, Heffner will run a multi-million dollar anti Obama add a day before the election. - Reply to this comment
- OK, REPUBLICANS - DEMOCRATS DON''T CARE ABOUT GUN CONTROL. STOP LISTENING TO THE NRA, THEY DON''T KNOW THEIR @$$E$ FROM A HOLE IN THE GROUND. I will leave my Kel-Tec P3AT, Walther P99 (new version) and Kimber Ultra Carry II in the car (no ccw''s in voting booths even on a carry permit) WHILE I AM VOTING FOR OBAMA. DO NOT DARE TO REWARD REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS FOR A) LYING US INTO IRAQ B) BELIEVING MARKETS ARE ALWAYS PERFECT AND NEED NO GOVERNMENT REGULATION C) BELIEVE TRICKLE-DOWN WORKS (IT DOES NOT). D) POINT FINGERS AT THOSE THAT HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS AS ''''UNAMERICAN'''' OR UNPATRIOTIC.
Gun-control advocates, I have one for you: George Bush''s anti-Constitutional behavior could set a precedence for future presidents who push the envelope further, an unarmed populace is a government-controlled populace. Remember that. - Reply to this comment
- Gun sales aren''t up DESPITE poor economy, they are up BECAUSE of it. People are frightened. They have no idea how to control what is happening in their world and so choose to arm themselves in case the economic disaster that is looming somehow magically translates into something they can shoot. I wish it were that simple. Whether or not a safety-trained adult (or even a kid with a strong family tradition of guns and gun safety) carries a weapon is of no interest to me because they present no danger to me. I am concerned when neo-nazis felons start hauling in machine guns. I think we can all agree on some reasonable laws. The problem comes along when Mr. Dumba$$ decides he''s going to ''pertect his fambly'' and ends up shooting the mailman and this is exactly the trend we face when we turn to weapons without any serious training in their safety or use. Find a safety class and a firing range, please. Even the most adamant gun nut rolls his eyes when you buy a gun you can''t possibly use properly.
- Reply to this comment
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