Posted on 01/11/2013 3:00:25 PM PST by blam
Alabama Leads The Way In Nationwide Run On Guns
By Challen Stephens cstephens@al.com
January 10, 2013 at 11:08 AM, updated January 11, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Alabama appears to have led the national run on guns last month.
It's not that Alabamians purchased the most. But Alabama saw the nation's largest spike in applications for firearm background checks, a sudden rise of 145 percent, between the months of October and December.
Federal background checks spiked in every single state following the presidential election and the shooting in Newtown, according to FBI data on background checks. Background checks normally rise before Christmas. But as 2012 ended with debate over gun control, the rise went well beyond the normal uptick for holiday shopping.
And the increased interest wasn't limited to the South.
Tennessee saw background checks rise 130 percent between October and December, the second largest spike. But an al.com analysis of federal background checks shows Tennessee was followed in order by Delaware, Mississippi, Oregon and Virginia. In all, 16 states filed for more than twice as many firearm background checks in December as in October. That includes Ohio, Rhode Island and Nevada.
The data comes from the FBI, and is not a perfect match with sales, as states have different requirements for checks and some customers are denied. But the rising interest in gun ownership is clear.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, December 2012 marked the highest number of background checks ever. The NSSF, based in Newtown, Conn., is the firearm trade association.
Nationally, Kentucky saw the smallest spike at the end of 2012, with background checks up just 17 percent from October to December. But that's because, according to the NSSF, Kentucky already conducts many more checks than other states, routinely inquiring about people who hold active concealed carry permits.
For perspective, Kentucky filled out 6 background check applications for every 10 citizens. No other state sees a fraction as much activity per capita.
Data source: NICS Firearm Background Checks, 2012
In terms of applications per capita, Alabama ranked 10th, with roughly nine background checks for every 100 citizens in 2012. However, Alabama jumped to 7th in background checks per capita during a busy December.
NSSF, which adjusts for those extra checks by Kentucky and a couple other states, found a small rise already starting nationwide in January of 2012 over January of 2011. Checks in June were up 25 percent over June of 2011. But the spike grows largest by year's end, as the NSSF's adjusted numbers show the FBI handled about 1.4 million checks in December of 2011 compared to more than 2.2 million in December of 2012. That's a year-over-year jump of 59 percent.
NSSF reports that December 2012 marked the 31st consecutive month that checks rose over the same month in the previous year.
According to the FBI, the National Instant Criminal Background System, or NICS, was launched in 1998. Federal Firearms Licensees can use the system to determine who is eligible to buy a firearm, checking for categories such as illegal aliens, fugitives, convicts, those who have been committed, individuals currently under restraining orders and military personnel who were dishonorably discharged.
"Before ringing up the sale, cashiers call in a check to the FBI or to other designated agencies to ensure that each customer does not have a criminal record or isn't otherwise ineligible to make a purchase. More than 100 million such checks have been made in the last decade, leading to more than 700,000 denials," reads the FBI information on the NICS web page.
However, recent political debate has turned to flaws in the system. For instance, states are not legally required to supply the records necessary to maintain a meaningful federal database. And unlicensed gun sellers can get around the system.
Updated on Jan. 10 at 7:44 p.m. to show Tennessee saw the second largest spike in background checks between October and December.
Well, most people believe it gradually is, including lots of Republicans, because of "demographics" helped by George Soros's state-flipping project that rolled Colorado to a blue state six years ago.
It involves basically getting control of the secretary of state's position and then getting illegals to the polls with phony credentials, "helped" and egged on by ACORN types (whatever they call themselves these days, they're still the same old vote-fraud mills).
May I hazard a WAG? Iowa and northern Missouri have tons of old-ethnic German-Americans who, during the Civil War, were solidly pro-Lincoln.
The reason for this -- and I think it still operates today -- is that Germans have a strong cultural orientation toward authoritarianism that didn't fall into the ocean when they immigrated. Even Texas Germans were Unionists in 1860-1861, and very prickly about it -- some of them were lynched for their outspokenness and possible involvement in Lincoln's underground Wide Awakes (who were accused of plotting slave rebellions and arson campaigns).
Let me clarify what I meant when I said I don’t believe Texas is turning blue. What I meant was I don’t believe it will ever go blue, though I am aware of the forces you mentioned that are bluing it slowly. I also meant that there will be a tide of very red voting folks moving in as well.
I put a nice Wolf 19lb hammer spring into it before ‘distributing it’ ... DA pull is now manageably smooth. The Yugo M57s cleaned up nicely; nearly new. Found holsters for them too. Extra mags were $25 each, but were brand new never used. They cleaned up nicely too. The CZ82 came in a used holster but was brand spankin’ new. Those little maks pistols have an exceptional DA/SA trigger. I have one around here, somewhere. Working on shotguns now.
I know a few Hollywood liberals have moved to Montana, but surely there must be something else going on...
So, how does one go about petitioning to become part of your family? Or at least on your Christmas list? :)
As soon as I get on one Ms Welch’s list, I’ll get back to ya ...
bookmark
bookmark2
This newspaper is hopeless. Glad you wrote them, but we both recognize their editorial board is on a crusade to crush all things conservative in AL. My BP goes through the roof whenever I see Joey Kennedy’s name in print.
Joey Kennedy is the worst! I try to ignore anything he does. Only time he gets any mention is when the 16 year old sees something JK wrote and wants to rile me up! :^)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.