Unclassified > Mixed Bag
Americans buy record numbers of guns for Christmas
NightmarePatrol:
According to the FBI, over 1.5 million background checks on customers were requested by gun dealers to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System in December. Nearly 500,000 of those were in the six days before Christmas.
It was the highest number ever in a single month, surpassing the previous record set in November.
On Dec 23 alone there were 102,222 background checks, making it the second busiest single day for buying guns in history.
The actual number of guns bought may have been even higher if individual customers took home more than one each.
Explanations for America's surge in gun buying include that it is a response to the stalled economy with people fearing crime waves. Another theory is that buyers are rushing to gun shops because they believe tighter firearms laws will be introduced in the future.
The National Rifle Association said people were concerned about self defence because police officer numbers were declining.
A spokesman said: "I think there's an increased realisation that when something bad occurs it's going to be between them and the criminal."
But anti-gun campaigners said those who already owned weapons were simply hoarding more of them due to "fear-mongering" by the NRA.
A spokeswoman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said: "The research we've seen indicates fewer and fewer people are owning more and more guns."
Dave LaRue, of Legendary Guns in Phoenix, Arizona, said Christmas sales were up 25 per cent on the previous year and ammunition sales were also "brisk".
He said: "There are a lot of people concerned about pending gun legislation and the sense about the current administration. People think future availability will be limited and there's a feeling of get it while you can."
The record for gun sales in a single day was set in November, on the day after Thanksgiving, when 129,166 background searches were carried out on customers buying weapons.
Since the near-fatal shooting of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords by a deranged gunman in Tucson, Arizona last January there have been increasing calls for tighter gun control. Miss Giffords survived being shot in the head with a semi-automatic handgun, and six other people were killed.
Original article here
Lifetime:
My wife wants her conceal carry permit. I told her if she got one, I would buy a revolver for her... thinking something along the line of a 38 spl Lady Smith...So... I have at least one more handgun to buy and will be buying some more ammo... am going for the military calibers... 5.56, 9 mm, 12 gauge, throw in some 45 and 762.39... All "precious metal".
I am thinking of also buying more bricks of 22 cal. Good for hunting small game and in general.. POing people.
I have been to the Big Gunstores around Clearfield PA and some have pictures of Pres. Obama..as salesman of the year. I met with a city official and explained the problem of old people who didn't move and now feel imprisoned. I also told him, I am not in a prison in my home... I am in a fort. Big difference. Besides.... it was shown that GOLD only appreciated 10% and if no lead is collected... all you can do is throw the gold. Priorities folks.
Jayhawk:
Quote from: NightmarePatrol on January 03, 2012, 08:38:03 AM>>>>Another theory is that buyers are rushing to gun shops because they believe tighter firearms laws will be introduced in the future.<<<<The NRA has been using this bullsh!t line for decades, yet there is no such legislation proposed or even remotely on the horizon. But, hey, fear brings in donations.
Quote>>>>The National Rifle Association said people were concerned about self defence because police officer numbers were declining.<<<<Ironically, in mercer county in 2011, shooting deaths BY cops outnumbered murders 2:1.
Quote>>>>Dave LaRue, of Legendary Guns in Phoenix, Arizona, said, "There are a lot of people concerned about pending gun legislation and the sense about the current administration. People think future availability will be limited and there's a feeling of get it while you can."<<<<Probably just defending their hords of survival food and gold coins that they bought at 30% above their value.
Quote>>>>Since the near-fatal shooting of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords by a deranged gunman in Tucson, Arizona last January there have been increasing calls for tighter gun control. Miss Giffords survived being shot in the head with a semi-automatic handgun, and six other people were killed.<<<<If i'm not mistaken, one crowd member who was carrying not only was powerless to stop the shooter but he almost got perforated himself when the cops showed up and saw him with a weapon.
NightmarePatrol:
I think it's partially as sign of the times. Property crime is on the rise and I think people are either afraid or overly cautious. My wife has her CCW and FWIW her Smith 643 hammerless .38 was too big of a PITA to reliably conceal. Mainly because of the warm temperatures and thin clothing usually worn here. So now she has a Ruger LCP. With hydrashocks in it the stopping power goes up to acceptable levels and she can easily conceal it. Is it a good thing? I have mixed feelings about it, but in the long run I suppose I'd rather her have it than not.
As for the line the NRA has been using for years, well it's not entirely BS. A lot of states have gone to great lengths to restrict access to weapons by the general public. My guess is they will eventually target the ammunition supply to force guns to be used as clubs. I do know the busiest gun show they had down here was the first one after the 2008 election. I heard a ton of AR 15's went flying out the door. I honestly don't see the need for anyone to own an AR 15, AK, Uzi or any other assult weapon though if the unthinkable would happen and we get invaded by someone I'll feel pretty foolish about this statement.
Where all this is going is anybody's guess. I think a lot concerns will be exacerbated or relieved after November 6th is over with. Our rights our getting chipped away ever so slowly and one day we may wake up and find ourselves with none.
gore range:
Quote from: Jayhawk on January 03, 2012, 12:57:34 PM>>>>Quote from: NightmarePatrol on January 03, 2012, 08:38:03 AM>>>>Another theory is that buyers are rushing to gun shops because they believe tighter firearms laws will be introduced in the future.<<<<
The NRA has been using this bullsh!t line for decades, yet there is no such legislation proposed or even remotely on the horizon. But, hey, fear brings in donations.<<<<
…. http://nation.foxnews.com/guns/2011/05/25/obama-were-working-gun-control-under-radar....
Quote>>>>Quote>>>>Since the near-fatal shooting of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords by a deranged gunman in Tucson, Arizona last January there have been increasing calls for tighter gun control. Miss Giffords survived being shot in the head with a semi-automatic handgun, and six other people were killed.<<<<
If i'm not mistaken, one crowd member who was carrying not only was powerless to stop the shooter but he almost got perforated himself when the cops showed up and saw him with a weapon.
<<<<
….at least six private civilians attending the Gifford meeting were legally carrying concealed, and, at least two drew their weapons reacting to the shootings. However they didn’t take aim due to the complete lack of any clear shot at Jared Loughner with the[/] multitude of other civilians down range of Loughner….
….at least two of those carrying concealed were involved in physically disarming and restraining Loughner until the arrival of the LEOs….
….no LEOs at the scene ever took aim, threatened, questioned the judgement, or confiscated the weapons of any of those legally carrying at the scene, and in fact they received numerous alcolades for their actions….
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