Posted on 09/22/2009 12:11:14 PM PDT by pissant
While a remarkable surge that began late last year is starting to ease, Americans' demand for firearms and ammunition - driven largely by economic concerns and the fear of new regulations - remains brisk as double-digit sales increases continue to fill the financial coffers of gun and ammo makers alike.
In August, the number of background checks performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Instant Criminal Background Check System was up 12.3% from the same month in 2008 to about 1.1 million.
That is down from the nearly 42% increase of November but is still a growth rate that would be the envy of virtually every other consumer product category.
And, while the number of background checks is a good barometer of sales, that doesn't tell the whole story as some of them may have been performed on purchases of multiple firearms. In addition, some private transfers and gun show sales are exempt so the actual number of guns sold is likely higher.
The main force fueling this gun-buying binge is the election last year of President Barack Obama and the large Democratic majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. Democrats are generally perceived to be hostile to the interests of gun enthusiasts and their organizations, so a type of "buy now while you still can" mentality took hold.
"It really began in the middle of October last year," said Lawrence Keane, vice president and general counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. "Sales have been up in double-digits in every month since, except July, which is seasonally slow anyway.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
True, but it is keeping me from getting enough ammo for quality range time.
That, and the sale of “Going Out of Business” signs.
Gosh, at least I can get ammo again. Still expensive with the exception of Walley World at $8.97 a box for 9MM Blazer Brass.
I have found 30-06 again for about $14 a box and .22LR is all over the place.
Nice to see it’s getting back to “normal” at least here in the North East....with the exception of prices still high overall.
Always happy to contribute...
try to buy primers....they are obtainable but you have to jump through hoops or pay highly inflated prices.....
With these stats and Dr John Lott’s book, “More Guns, Less Crime.” We are reading more and more articles about armed Americans taking care of their families and homes and selves during hot breakins.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2345637/posts
2 Men Killed in Vermilion Co. Home Invasion
illinoishomepage.net ^ | 9/22/2009 | Staff
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 10:05:18 AM by Red in Blue PA
Police say a 17 year old and 22 year old were shot and killed during an attempted home invasion. It happened in Indianola last night.
Officers say two men, armed with a shotgun, entered the home. They were dropped off by a third person.
Police say the two men attacked the homeowner who is a retired police officer. He suffered cuts. Police say the homeowner’s wife showed the men were the safe was. That’s when police say the retired officer grabbed a gun and shot and killed the 17 and 22 year old. Both were killed. A third person was arrested outside the home.
This is just not true. The run on guns and ammo is a social phenomemon, based on the fact that Americans feel that the Federal Givernment will lead us into a period of social disorder as a result of political and economic dysfunction.
The guns and ammo phenomenon is a social movement of people with shared values of self help, patriotism,freedom of speech, freedom of assembly,and pro second amendment.It has no leader, just like the Tea Party movment has no leader. It is grass roots.
Americans are wary and frightened by their own federal government, in reality a Junta with czars.
Excellent consider this great jpg stolen, er, borrowed.
http://www.nationalrepublicrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/obamagunsalesman-210x300.jpg
Yeah. Pointing and yelling "BANG" isn't quite cutting it, but it is easier to clean my "handgun" afterward as it only takes some hot water and a little soap... <);-P
“Americans are wary and frightened by their own federal government, in reality a Junta with czars. “
Even here in Texas we cannot escape the threat of politicians throttling our abilities to own guns.
See http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=33633
Every good community organizer has enough rifles and ammo to outfit ten men. I’m shooting to be an outstanding community organizer. How else to properly welcome the Civilian Defense Force?
Indeed. It is like saying that people are not hoarding food because they are hungry, but because they fear that they won’t be able to get food in the future.
Either way the driving force is hunger, not the need to have stored food.
I actually got to purchase a box of 100count 9mm and 100 count 45ACP from WalMart today. I feel very blessed. Judging by what’s left; there aren’t a lot of 40 S&W pistols out there, nor 38 Specials (however, I do have a very sweet cherry Victory Model 38 special with original holster from WWII).
Even starting to see a litle .380!
Blazer Brass .40’s are $12.50 at WalMart or Federal...they have been interchanging both at that price point and you can find 9mm’s with no problem.
The 22lr’s are still a little spotty.
I noticed that I can get a Springfield .40 compact XD again at the local Gander. They were a thing of dreams for a couple months there....
There is a quiet revolution happening in America.
THe 2010 elections had better be free and fair IMHO.
Fixed.
Visited the St. George, UT gun show recently. Ammo still high - $29 for a box of 50 45 ACP (used to be $10.50). Powder is starting to fall though, now $18 a lb, down from $25. Primers still high or non-existent.
I figure this is another “bubble” (and because I am stocked up), I’ll wait a while longer to accumulate more.
I certainly did my part in this...
True. People do not trust government.
And people never buy ammo and guns like they are going out of style if they see only blue skies ahead.
Thanks for the ping.
Some excellent stories.
One wonders what the violent crime rate would be if most if not all good Americans were armed at all times.
I can't find 40 S&W locally to save my hide. Evey once in a while my local firearms dealer will have some, but at Wally World it's sold before it hits the shelves.
Stop buying ammo by the box (50) and pick up a case (1000).
Okay, so here’s the million dollar question: what are we willing to do with the firearms and ammo once we have it? I’d be interested in knowing what the breaking point is. Our household is part of the purchase of extra ammo...but I’m wondering what we’d be willing to do with it and when. What are we prepared and willing to do?
Shoot, how much you willing to pay me to go down and snap up a few boxes fer ya?
I need a quantity of 12 ga. rifled slugs and OO buck.
I'm starting to get the evil eye from my UPS delivery guy. I heard a very loud "oooof" as he set down a thousand rounds of 7.62mm M118 match ammo on the porch.
By the time I shoot all of this ammo, primers should be easier to acquire, and I can start reloading again.
I lost my gun in the wash. Kinda what happens to my socks. So the government doesnt need to search my house.
Absolutely
Easier said than done.
I don’t think I could afford valet service. I got homebrew, but that may not survive shipping. :-)
Not much in the Albuquerque metro area - at least not much selling for less than a buck a round.
I am in NJ and they log all that. PA has a 6 limit law and Maryland/DE are just too far to drive. If i order online, it is a hassle because of communists running NJ!
I refuse to have NJ log everything I buy so when I am in PA I buy my limit and then head on to the next store. I have enough now...well, enough is never enough when it comes to guns and ammo!
Yeah, got birdshot out the wazoo, 100 rounds for between 20 and 25 dollars.
try to buy primers
Wilders has Wolf primers, I got 5K last week I also finally recieved 5K of CCI primers that had been on back order for 6 months. So they are slowly catching up with the demand.
Panther’s anyone?
I have a 4-5 thousand primers...
I got most of those since the availiability problem and it was a pain to get them but I perservered......I stopped shooting in competition a couple of years ago...so I dont eat them up like I use to. but thanks for the heads up....I may give them a look...how are those Wolf primer by the way???
I was at Cabelas over the weekend and they had Military surplus 00 buck for 5 dolllars for five rounds. That seemed like a almost fair price. But all other ammo was way overpriced and .380 was not to be found anywhere.
A lot of brands and types of firearms are still scarce, though, especially M4/16 clones and sub compact pistols for concealed carry. I haven't seen a Ruger LCP, Kel-Tec, or small Walther in a long time.
Primers? Fugettaboudit!
My guy handed me two tins of 7.62X25, expecting me to collapse to the floor. I said thanks.
Well I have found the ammo at about 94 cents a round, but then it should be less, I am a frugal ammo shopper. LOL.
Its every man for himself out there. LOL.
No such law. Sounds like the Wally World limit.
One of my big worries. By then, if amnesty passes, we're in a world of hurt. Also, if ACORN is still around, watch for massive voter fraud. I guess we'll know when "our guy or gal" is ahead in the polls by 10 points, and whoops, gee, there's going to be a runoff until the Dem wins. . .
Last weekend was the first time in many months that I’ve seen signs that the ammo shortage is easing. My local Walmart actually had alot of 9mm, and I scored a couple hundred rounds of range ammo to replenish the safe.
No ammo shortage in my caliber in NJ. And I’m using it.
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