Posted on 10/27/2008 9:43:56 AM PDT by llevrok
Americans have cut back on buying cars, furniture and clothes in a tough economy, but there's one consumer item that's still enjoying healthy sales: guns. Purchases of firearms and ammunition have risen 8 to 10 percent this year, according to state and federal data.
Several variables drive sales, but many dealers, buyers and experts attribute the increase in part to concerns about the economy and fears that if Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois wins the presidency, he will join with fellow Democrats in Congress to enact new gun controls. Obama has said that he believes in an individual right to bear arms but that he also supports "common-sense safety measures."
"Even though [Obama] has a lot going for him, he's not very pro-gun," said Paul Pluff, a spokesman for Massachusetts-based Smith & Wesson, which has reported higher sales. Gun enthusiasts are "going to go out and get [firearms] while they still can." "Generally, we know that hard economic times always result in firearm sales," said James M. Purtilo of Silver Spring, who publishes the Tripwire Newsletter.
Bob Leyshion, who visited a gun shop in Manassas recently, said the economic crisis and Obama's lead in the polls were on his mind.
Gun owners haven't been especially thrilled about the prospect of Sen. John McCain in the White House. They see the Arizona Republican as less of a threat than Obama, but they are still angry over McCain's support for certain gun-control measures in the past, such as requiring purchasers at gun shows to undergo background checks.
Gun owners said McCain's moose-hunting running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is far more likely to champion Second Amendment rights.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
“private sales” are the “gunshow loophole” that these fascists are always talking about.
NYB! :)
One firearm.
Ahh yes, Rock River Arms, I have 2 of them. Great rifles.
I put my rifles together back a few years ago before RRA became popular. I always get a kick out of seeing that they were made in IL heh
Sad to say, but back in the day, both of my grandfathers could go into the local Kresges or hardware store in NEW JERSEY to stock up on ammo. Unfortunately, a combination of “law and order” racists and liberal utopian fools have turned us into Nazi Jersey in more ways than one. I can still get my buckshot and .40s at the local Dick’s Sporting goods without having to register/show ID, but I know that it is a matter of time before that changes.
Sad to say, but back in the day, both of my grandfathers could go into the local Kresges or hardware store in NEW JERSEY to stock up on guns and ammo. Unfortunately, a combination of “law and order” racists and liberal utopian fools have turned us into Nazi Jersey in more ways than one. I can still get my buckshot and .40s at the local Dick’s Sporting goods without having to register/show ID, but I know that it is a matter of time before that changes.
Start with a .38 snub revolver that is small enough to carry on your person.
BLOAT ... BLOAT ... BLOAT
I checked out one of the local state DNR gun ranges today, but now think that it may be a "honey trap". Paranoia strikes deep, ......
Find a range that has rentals, and try out a bunch of them before you buy one. There's no "right gun" for any one person. If you can't rent, at least pick them up, see how the grip feels in your hand, and make sure you can load/unload it easily.
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