Firearm Sales Continue Upward in February (Obama inspires an added 1,000,000 gun sales in 3 months!)

National Shooting Sports Federation ^ | 03/09/2009 | NSSF

[Atlas Sneezed]

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Despite an ever-worsening economy and slumping retail sales, firearm sales increased in February, continuing an upswing that began after November's election.

Data from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) show background checks on the sale of firearms jumped 23.3 percent in February when compared to February 2008. The increase follows a 29 percent rise in January, a 24 percent rise in December and a 42 percent jump in November, when a record 1,529,635 background checks were performed.

The continuing increase in firearm sales coincides with an ATF announcement yesterday that firearm retailers may continue to photocopy the Form 4473 -- the federal document required for purchase of a firearm from a licensed retailer -- in its entirety until they receive requested backorders from the Distribution Center.

FBI background checks are required under federal law for all individuals purchasing firearms from federally licensed retailers. These checks serve as a strong indicator of actual sales.

"Since November, sales of firearms -- in particular handguns and semi-automatic hunting and target rifles -- are fast outpacing inventory," said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry. "Americans are clearly concerned about their ability to be able to purchase these products in an uncertain future."

NICS reported 1,259,078 checks in February, up from 1,021,130 in the same month a year ago.

NSSF, founded in 1961, is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition and recreational shooting sports industry. It promotes the safe ownership and responsible use of products its members make and sell. For more information, visit www.nssf.org.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Looks like the year over year gun sales increases were 500k in November, and 250k in December and January.

A million more guns "on the streets" because of Obama's mouth. And these guns are mostly handguns and "assault weapons."

"Gun Salesman of the Decade" no doubt.

[JrsyJack]

Stimulus...

[txnativegop]

But then, he knows where to find most, if not all of these guns when he deems the time is right, doesn’t he.

[fish hawk]

Get your ammo while you still can!!

[MeganC]

Well, at least Obama can claim he’s helped create jobs at firearms firms.

[Who is John Galt?]

(Obama inspires an added 1,000,000 gun sales in 3 months!)

The only good thing he's done, during his entire so-called "presidency"...

[xcamel]

I need a semi-auto, but haven’t decided what yet...

[counterpunch]

The 2nd amendment is protected by the 5th. The government cannot seize private property without compensation. The financial cost to the government to grab our guns would be too great. So the more guns people buys, the more We the People preserve the 2nd amendment.

[Squantos]

When one considers there were 136 million tax returns filed in 06 (census data) that “1 million guns sold in 90 days” is an impressive number IMHO !

Socialist Rats better review 1994 elections before they go after guns again.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I need a semi-auto, but haven’t decided what yet...

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Here’s my standard recommendation:

“BOTH.”

[RobRoy]

Mine’s a “home protection” shotgun. 8 shell.

I went to my local shooting range to join and asked the guy if they are noticing more business. He said in the last year their membership doubled.

America is arming, big time - at unprecedented levels.

[roaddog727]

I recently went to my local gunshop lloking to get an M4. NONE to be had. Wanted to get a REC7. None to be had - put in a back order. Wanted to get an M1A. They just laughed.

Looks like I’m relegated to getting just magazines and ammo (at OBSENE prices).

Argh.

OTOH, when the revolution comes, WE’LL be well armed. The lefties won’t. LOL

[CheneyChick]

Marine PAO responds to gun confiscation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tbp1hERZjI

[Jeff Gordon]

I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel of my own mortality. Given this, I am starting to sell a good part of the contents of my gun safes. I don't want my family to have to deal with it on their own.

I can attest that the market for used guns is very, very hot.

[Who is John Galt?]

And these guns are mostly handguns and "assault weapons."

Actually, the firearms you describe are usually "plinkers," "hunting guns," and/or "target weapons"...

[Atlas Sneezed]

that “1 million guns sold in 90 days” is an impressive number IMHO !

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Actually, that’s just the increase over the prior year. There were 4-5 million gun background checks in that period. of course, some of them could have been for used guns, but many more were likely multiple purchases in a single NICS check.

The real data will come in a few months when we see 4Q2008 Federal Firearms Excise Tax reports. I suspect it will be impressive.

[Steve Van Doorn]

I wonder how many weapons manufactures will say, “lets elect more democrats! They make us all kinds of money.”

I can just see it. There are a lot of short sighted people.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I wonder how many weapons manufactures will say, “lets elect more democrats! They make us all kinds of money.”

I can just see it. There are a lot of short sighted people.

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I’m quite sure that you would not find this to be true in the firearms industry, where the attitude is “make hay while the sun’s shining.” And they have serious fears about major sectors being shuttered by a ban.

[GeronL]

you need to see if roaddog727 wants one

[Atlas Sneezed]

Actually, the firearms you describe are usually “plinkers,” “hunting guns,” and/or “target weapons”...

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I prefer “Sport-Utility Rifles”