Obama win fires up local gun shops [Long Island, NY]

The Long Island Business News ^ | November 25, 2008 | Ambrose Clancy

[2ndDivisionVet]

Want to make a killing in an economy hurrying south? Sell guns.

Starting in October and accelerating with the election of Barack Obama, firearm retailers across the Island followed a national trend by reaping record sales. Although there are no statistics on how many guns have been sold, the FBI during the week of Nov. 3 received more than 374,000 background requests on potential customers from gun shop owners across the country, an increase of almost 49 percent over the same period in 2007.

Jon Sweezey, owner of The Camp-Site Sport Shop in Huntington Station, stood in the firearms section of his shop, mobbed with customers one recent afternoon. Sweezey hasn’t seen business this brisk since the aftermath of Sept. 11, with October sales up more than 20 percent over October 2007.

Guns were purchased by regulars and first-timers alike, he said, and sales of military-style rifles have been especially healthy. Everyone in the gun business on Long Island has seen sales spike the past six to eight weeks, Sweezey said.

Several gun retailers refused to speak about their business, some claiming they were too busy, others that they just weren’t interested in speaking with the press.

Tom Cushman, Long Island regional director of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, said he’d spoken to gun dealers across the Island and all reported soaring sales.

“As fast as they can get firearms in they’re going out the door,” Cushman said. “Same thing with ammunition. Gun owners are apprehensive about Obama.”

Firearm and Second Amendment advocates, concerned the Obama administration and a Democratic-controlled Congress will push stronger gun control laws, believe the time to stock up is now. Some say the feds won’t just add more restrictive laws but will come after gun owners and confiscate weapons.

Advocates are pointing to a controversial question posed by Obama’s transition team as evidence of draconian policies on the way.

Sweezey said apprehension comes from knowing the facts. “I think the Obama administration will absolutely change laws,” Sweezey said. “His record speaks for itself.”

As a member of the Illinois state Senate, the president-elect co-sponsored a bill in 2000 which would limit handgun purchases to one per month and voted to support a ban on semiautomatic assault weapons.

Obama voted the same year against letting people violate local weapon bans in cases of self-defense, but also voted in 2004 to allow retired police officers to carry concealed weapons. He supported a requirement that manufacturers provide child safety locks with firearms and supported a handgun ban in the District of Columbia which the Supreme Court overturned in June.

Campaigning in Ohio in October, Obama said, “I will not take your shotgun away. I will not take your rifle away. I will not take your handgun away.”

This doesn’t cut any ice with Sweezey.

“You can promise anything,” he said. “But I look at his record and what he’s done and that speaks more to me.”

Cushman said Obama has broken new, dangerous ground in the field of anti-gun advocacy. He pointed to a question on the survey for potential officials in the new administration asking, “Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun?”

The question asks for registration information, the firearm’s use and whether it has been the cause of personal injuries or property damage.

“This is something I’ve never seen in 30 years of being involved with the issue,” Cushman said. “Any time you have a list of legitimate owners of firearms there is no other goal except to ultimately create a confiscation list.”

But Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-Garden City, said some people are over-amped on the issue. She noted that Congress is still largely made up of pro-gun members. Any gun control legislation would be an uphill fight.

“The idea that the White House and Congress being in Democratic control will produce unreasonable restrictions on gun owners and those who would like to own guns is not realistic,” McCarthy said.

Stan Martin, a Huntington lawyer, browsing in the busy crowd at The Camp-Site, described himself as an avid hunter who has pursued game as far afield as Africa.

Asked how many guns he owns, Martin smiled and said, “You don’t ask that question. It’s like asking someone how much money they have.”

Many gun owners were frightened the new administration would confiscate guns, he said, but it was not in the cards. Plus it could never be implemented. There are more than 200 million guns held in private hands.

“It’s like immigration,” Martin added. “What, you’re going to send 12 million people back?”

At Uniondale’s Coliseum Gun Traders, the owner was too busy to speak with a reporter, said an employee named Jody. Asked how business was, he said, “Look, it’s three deep here. People are panicking.”

[2ndDivisionVet]

BLOAT

[LdSentinal]

Maybe Plaxico Burress is buying all of these guns.

[Doogle]

not anymore

[castlebrew]

My nephew asked this weekend: “How many guns do you own?”

My answer: “Not enough.”

[pray4liberty]

“The idea that the White House and Congress being in Democratic control will produce unreasonable restrictions on gun owners and those who would like to own guns is not realistic,” McCarthy said.

Backpeddling liar!

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

The boys shopping the Gander Mountain in the town where I was deer hunting this past weekend were all huddled around the case with the AR’s and Bushmasters......

[TaMoDee]

You bet! They can’t wait to introduce all those senate bills
Chucky and Biden wrote a couple of years ago.

[potlatch]

It isn't the number of guns we own that will matter. Obama won't try to take away our guns. Ammunition is the key. I read that the tax may go up 500%.

Also read an article that said all ammunition manufactured from 2009 on, must be coded. They will then know who has what. It also said that by 2011 no uncoded ammunition can legally be used.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

It isn’t just Obama those in NY who support the 2nd Amendment have to worry about, with the entire state government in democratic hands I hope the gun rights groups have their lawyers ready because they will be needed soon.

[devolve]

.

Use Blue Glasers

No rifling on the projectile

Police up yer brass

There are solid propellants now too

No brass at all

Use electronic ignition instead of cartridges with primers

I’d like to see the government attempt to stop US citizens from using untagged older ammo after 2011

When a government tries to make over 100 million US citizens into criminals that government will cease to exist as a tyranny

[potlatch]

I am not familiar with types of ammunition like you are.

No, the government can’t do it very soon. Communistic “change” has had patience over time. It will be a slow insidious takeover.

[PzLdr]

Ordered a new upper for the AR. Am in the process of adding an XD .45, a Browning .22, and trying to get a Ruger .357. Already got the 12 gage pump.

[epow]

“The idea that the White House and Congress being in Democratic control will produce unreasonable restrictions on gun owners and those who would like to own guns is not realistic,” McCarthy said

Starting 74 years ago with FDR and a Democrat majority Congress, ALL federal anti-gun laws currently on the books have been passed by Democrat controlled Congresses and signed into law by Democrat presidents. Does Ms McCarthy, a foaming-at-the-mouth anti-gun Democrat herself, actually expect us to believe that it's NOT realistic to assume that Obama and his Democrat Congress will pass and sign more anti-gun legislation into law?

[MarkeyD]

I ordered a Luger LCP. I was 29th in line.

[Billthedrill]

“The idea that the White House and Congress being in Democratic control will produce unreasonable restrictions on gun owners and those who would like to own guns is not realistic,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy is a practiced liar on the issue. The key word is "unreasonable." Unreasonable to whom? To Sarah Brady? There will absolutely be more restrictions imposed and they will all be represented as "reasonable."

[353FMG]

Went to a gunshow last Saturday — not only were the gun shops doing a brisk business but the ammo dealers could not keep up with the demand.

[Myrddin]

The boys shopping the Gander Mountain in the town where I was deer hunting this past weekend were all huddled around the case with the AR’s and Bushmasters......

That's almost impossible to do in Pocatello. The shelves are empty. The usually well stocked racks of AR pattern rifles are gone. The shelves of bullets for reloading are getting very thin. I can still get some brass and bullets. Primers are getting thin too. It's a good time to be in the gun business.

I'm somewhat annoyed that the recent election is putting some urgency on acquiring firearms. There are items I would like to buy, but I wasn't planning to do it anytime soon. The election forced my priorities into a "get it while you can" mode. That means other types of purchases will be deferred. Potentially for a long time.

[devolve]

.

HK makes carbines that have no metallic cartridge case

Lighter ammo means faster actions and more rounds per minute

I have no intention of revealing how firearms can use caseless ammo on FR thread

Lots of gun owners should know it is possible

There are also many who are more accurate and quick with a single silent edged weapon (or 2 or 3 or 4) than most LEOs are at close range with a full magazine or cylinder

[epow]

Also read an article that said all ammunition manufactured from 2009 on, must be coded

HERE is an NRA article on microstamping cartridge primers and serializing bullets. Basically it gives the reasons why experts in that field say that microstamping and serializing bullets won't work but will add significantly to the cost of guns and ammunition

AFAIK only NY and MD now require ammunition sold in those states to be microstamped and serialized, but I think CA will require it next year. BTW, according to the NRA article, the microstamping law has been in effect in NY and MD for five years but has not resulted in a single conviction of a criminal.

[wastedyears]

Heck, I wish I lived out in Long Island, at least I wouldn’t have to register long arms.

I’d have a few shotguns and rifles in a cabinet. One shotgun out should somebody come in unannounced at 3AM. With an EBR and 60 rounds of self-defense ammo should 3 people come in unannounced at 3AM.

[wastedyears]

I hate to say this, castlebrew, but tell your nephew “You’ll find out when I pass away.” Doctors ask kids if their parents have firearms in the house.

[Shooter 2.5]

I don’t think so.

[NotQuiteCricket]

I agree. I don’t own any weapons what so ever. Several of my friends don’t have any either.

[MrB]

On the ammo tax, there are some court precedents to reference -

part of the law is that the power to tax is the power to destroy,

and the law also recognizes “de facto” violation of rights.

A prohibitively high ammo tax would be a de facto violation of the 2nd amendment, and would be ruled that way by the current makeup of the USSC. The conservative justices will not retire during 0bamanation, so that makeup is static.

[Girdyourloins]

Everybody needs to consider what they are going to do in response to the next couple of chess moves by the left.

You have to consider what you are going to do to them instead of fearing what they are going to do to you.

There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Islamic Terrorists will attack again and again.

There should also be no doubt that the Socialists do exactly what they have always done – call for more restrictions on the freedoms on the law abiding in the form of more Gun Control.

We all know this WILL be what they will do, the question is what will be our response?

[y6162]

When I picked up my new rifle at Cabelas on Thursday, Nov 6th, at 10 AM, it looked like Christmas rush at Macy’s. Guys ten deep at the counter (slight exaggeration).

Took a long time for the clerk to get my background check results.

[MrB]

Folks say “when it’s time to hide ‘em, it’s time to use ‘em”.

But, let’s let them “tip their hand” first.

When it becomes clear that simple “ownership” is outlawed, and that they are going to take steps to confiscate firearms - then it’s time to hide ‘em, and ORGANIZE an effort to make the confiscation “costly”.

[gundog]

“Coded” ammo is more about ending production because the technology is unavailable than it is about knowing who has what.

[Girdyourloins]

They will start clamoring for MORE restrictions on ownership and MORE taxes on Ammunition and maybe an official form of registration. To be followed later by MORE of the same.

My point is that we have to make plans to refute the propaganda the left will spout in support of these NEW rules. We have to make plans as to what we are going to talk to our elected officials and others to argue back against this onslaught.

We know the left will simply lie and claim that we need to do this to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, blah, blah, blah. They and we will know that that is an outright lie.

[potlatch]

[microstamping law has been in effect in NY and MD for five years but has not resulted in a single conviction of a criminal.]

Thanks for the information. Many people may think this a good way to identify criminals but we all know they will steal and use other people’s guns.

[potlatch]

part of the law is that the power to tax is the power to destroy,

Hasn't slowed them down much yet, and the dems have much more in store to 'share our wealth'.

and the law also recognizes “de facto” violation of rights.

Sadly, reading the news nowadays we see many of our rights being taken away or ignored.

The conservative justices will not retire during 0bamanation, so that makeup is static.

SCOTUS has already made some strange rulings that have made us unhappy. The 'Obama citizenship' due to come up soon will also show us if the rule of law applies to all.

I am losing faith in judges.

[MrB]

I am losing faith in judges.

I assert that your faith never should have been with them. :)

[potlatch]

[“Coded” ammo is more about ending production because the technology is unavailable ]

Not sure I’m understanding what you say. The article I read said ‘all manufactured ammo - starting in 2009 - would be coded’, so they must assume the technology will be available by then.

[potlatch]

[I assert that your faith never should have been with them. :) ]

Lol, through the years I assumed they were decent law abiding people as I am. Times have changed. They finagle the law now to please themselves.

I lost more faith in “people” during a jury trial I was on many years ago. Quiet little me, sat and listened as they made their decisions. Decisions that astounded me so much that I finally found my voice and laid out some common sense to them!!

You know what? They agreed with me and decided I was right - and fair.

[gundog]

What they're assuming is that people are stupid enough to fall for "common sense" gun control legislation. Are you sure it didn't say "will be required to be coded?" Quite simply, the grabbers would rather eliminate the sales of ammo than encode it. One way to do that is to require that all ammo sold meet unattainable standards. Like requiring that all handguns sold in State X be "smart guns"...that is, able to identify the person using it as the rightful operator. Can't make 'em? Tough toenails...the law is the law. De facto ban on new handgun sales results.

[potlatch]

[Are you sure it didn’t say “will be required to be coded?” ]

It probably did say exactly what you just wrote! What you write makes a lot of sense to me now. As a woman, I am not up on all of this. As a Texan, I have a gun and will use it if needed.

Thanks for your clarifying explanation.

[gundog]

As a woman, I am not up on all of this. As a Texan, I have a gun and will use it if needed.

As a Texan, you probably aren't bombarded with attempts to restrict your rights...not yet, anyway. God bless. Texas...we need more States with similar "common sense" gun laws.

[JohnLongIsland]

I love it, this has to be driving my esteemed congressperson(Carolyn “Never met a Water Pistol, I didn’t want to ban” McCarthy) up the wazoo.

[Charles Martel]

There are solid propellants now too

No brass at all

Use electronic ignition instead of cartridges with primers

Actually, the caseless ammo idea is just about tailor-made for government control. Think about it - the propellant has to be cast into a solid block of nitrocellulose. It's got to be a special propellant that is better able to resist heat and "cook-off" of rounds caused by a hot chamber.

There's no way for even a small ammunition manufacturer to make the stuff - and that means the government can choke off the supply at will.

There's no way to hand-load ammo for such firearms. I know someone who has one of the old Daisy caseless .22 rifles - it's essentially useless, relegated to "collector's item" status.

Nope, I don't see a future for caseless ammo in civilian-owned firearms. It really isn't that big of an advance, if you think about it. It's almost a step backward, toward something like those Pyrodex pelletized charges for muzzle-loaders. A convenience, sort of, but not a clear advantage.

[An Old Man]

"Decisions that astounded me so much that I finally found my voice and laid out some common sense to them!"

"You know what? They agreed with me and decided I was right - and fair."

My hat is off to you! Congratulations for taking that step to defend our way of life. Without honest men in the jury box, we might just as well dispense with the trial.

[potlatch]

Thank you, I felt very good about it at the time. Just shows that without ‘me’, just one single person, it would have gone the wrong way!

[smokingfrog]

That’s an interesting article. Thanks for posting the link.

[castlebrew]

your probably right, unfortunately.

fortunately, I’m not his parent.

but a good answer, nonetheless.

[massgopguy]

Just talked to a friend who got his license transfered to my town. He said the girl that did his CORI check spends three hours a day, three days a week processing gun licenses since the election.

[Centurion2000]

But Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-Garden City, said some people are over-amped on the issue. She noted that Congress is still largely made up of pro-gun members. Any gun control legislation would be an uphill fight.

“The idea that the White House and Congress being in Democratic control will produce unreasonable restrictions on gun owners and those who would like to own guns is not realistic,” McCarthy said.

National Firearms Act 1934 : FDR (D), Senate (D), House (D)
Gun Control Act : 1968 : LBJ (D), Senate (D), House (D)
Federal Assault Weapon Ban : 1994 : Clinton (D), Senate (D), House (D)

Sure, we have nothing to worry about.

[Centurion2000]

They will then know who has what. It also said that by 2011 no uncoded ammunition can legally be used

That's when a bunch of us are just going to say F#$% the law.

[CholeraJoe]

I sold all of mine at gun shows or privately. That big safe in the office is for my coin and stamp collections.

[Seadog Bytes]

Bump!

Dave Henderson: Maybe we'd better take this bill seriously

December 4, 2008

Ever since the early 1970s, whenever downstate Assemblymen rattled sabers and proposed radical anti-gun or anti-hunting legislation, we could count on the conservative Senate Republican majority to block it.

That was then.

The scene changed dramatically on Nov. 4. Now the outrageous stuff coming out of the Assembly has some credence on the other side of the aisle. The Democrats — and that means the New York City mentality — have the majority in both houses. Except for four swing votes, they have pretty much carte blanche.

That's why the fact that the Assembly has bought into a national crusade known as the Ammunition Accountability Act is suddenly a legitimate threat. New York, Pennsylvania and 16 other states have already enacted legislation that would mandate the engraving of a unique serial number on the base of each handgun and “assault weapon” bullet, and an identical number on the cartridge's case. The act calls for dealers of this “encoded ammunition” to record the purchaser's name, birthdate, drivers license number, etc.

All non-encoded ammunition must be disposed of prior to Jan. 1, 2011. The database and other expenses involved would be paid for by a special tax of a half-cent per round of ammunition sold.

Don't believe it? Read the whole thing in Assembly Bill 10259, which was introduced last March (without a co-sponsor at the time). It mirrors A6920, A7300 and Senate companion bills S1177 and S3731, all of which were carried over from 2007.

Pennsylvania's House Bill 2228 is a virtual twin to the New York bills. Remington and other ammunition manufacturers earlier this year went on record stating that they couldn't afford to sell in those states that required serialization of cartridges because manufacturing would be cost prohibitive. One assumes that this is precisely what the anti-gun folks want.

The Act's national lobby maintains (and each New York bill carries this wording) that 30 percent of all homicides that involve a gun go unsolved and that handgun ammunition accounts for 80 percent of all ammunition sold in the United States.

For that 80 percent figure to be true, it must include .22LR ammunition, since rimfire sales volume just about equals all centerfire calibers combined. Since hunting and competition handguns of various forms can be chambered for a wide variety of centerfire rifle cartridges, the potential list of ammunition effected is gigantic.

• • •

Ever since 1993, Canadian citizens have been required to obtain a personal identification number before they could purchase hunting or fishing licenses in Ontario. Next year, the province is extending that privilege to non-residents, requiring them to purchase an Outdoor Card with a personal number on it in order to purchase sporting licenses.

The card, which will cost $9 Canadian, will be good for three years. Then, apparently, you can buy another.

Ontario plans to move to a fully automated system by 2010 that will allow everyone to purchase licenses via the Internet or a toll-free automated phone service, using the Outdoor Cards.

• • •

Cayuga Lake fishing conditions: Conditions remained largely the same as last week, except that salmon runs in Fall Creek, Salmon Creek and Six Mile may be slackening somewhat. Anglers are still finding fish, and they are susceptible to streamers and weighted eggsacks. Lake fishing has slowed dramatically with the colder weather. Perch fishing at the north end has slowed, just as it did a couple of weeks ago throughout the rest of the lake.

Henderson is The Journal's outdoors columnist; his columns appear on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He can be reached at Henderson's Outdoors, 202 Prospect St., Endicott, NY 13760 or dddhender@aol.com.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20081204/SPORTS/812040369

[potlatch]

Wow, thanks so much Seadog! You provided the perfect source material that I was referring to.

Pinging others from the thread who might be interesting in reading your article in Post #48.

[MrB]

so... how about reloading...