GULF COAST CRISIS: GUN PURCHASES Fearful Southerners buy firearms at torrid pace

Chicago Tribune ^ | September 8, 2005 | Lisa Anderson, Michael Martinez and Ray Quintanilla

[ConservativeStatement]

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Gun sales across the South boomed after the first reports surfaced of armed looters roaming the streets of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. And images of shots being fired at relief workers only elevated fears in some communities.

Now, as hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes are being resettled, gun store owners say they're being flooded by a demand for guns--particularly in Southern states and others where many of the hurricane victims are being relocated.

Mostly, they say, the demand is being fueled by "good people" wanting to protect their families and property. That includes some who might not otherwise purchase such weapons, they add.

[ExcursionGuy84]

I'm series.

as in WORLD SERIES???

Actually, I know what you mean. What I was implying was that I was so envoius of Your Massive Depot that I was on the verge of sobbing-hysterically.

[George Smiley]

Concur. 12 gauge pump.

Pistol grip is better as the stock won't get in your way if you have to turn suddenly.

The only downside is that you might have to clean doodoo off the floor.

Something about the sound of that slide racking makes that happen.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Barrels can be replaced. Ear protection is for the range.

[Ciexyz]

So, you only keep a one day supply on hand?

LOL, too funny!

[tumblindice]

I'm familiar with the older .223 version Ruger mini. Do you have any experience with the new larger caliber Ruger Mini-14?

[George Smiley]

Those are called Mini-30s, chambered in 7.62x39 (the SKS round) if I recall correctly.

[highlymotivated]

Hence the old adage: "No foot is faster than a .38!"

[Ken H]

I told my wife yesterday that I needed to buy a gun because of all this mess. She asked me how many I already own. I'm going to have to count them tonight before I can get back to her on that.

Saw a T-shirt at a gun & knife show which read, "My wife said she would leave me if I bought one more gun. I sure will miss her."

[Gritty]

In MSM-Speak - two firearms is a "cache of weapons". Three or more is an "arsenal."

You forgot to mention that for the MSM, one firearm is a "threat to children"...

[hiredhand]

Dang, my first reaction if my husband were to come home with more arsenal would be..."when are we going to go out and play??" No "gettin' over it" period for this lady, no!

I pulled my first trigger from a .22 at around age 5 (thanks Dad). Ladies fear (and some men's I'm afraid) comes from complete ignorance of safety and mechanism of how a firearm works.

That, they do need to "get over" and learn how to use and respect a useful tool.

Yeah..I hear ya. :-) I bought my wife an Armalite A-2 (AR-15) a couple of years ago, and her eyes lit up when she realized what it was! I'm not a big 5.56mm fan, but I would NOT want be on the "receiving end" with her using that weapon!

I bought another AR (just like hers) about the same time, and tried to give it to my (then) 11 yr old daughter. We took it down the hill, and she got "comfy" with operation. She fired a couple of groups at 25 yards, and then we backed up to 100 yards. I said, "Well...do you like it?". She said she did NOT like it! I asked her why and she said it was because of the "spring noise" during operation! She said she REALLY wanted a Ruger 10/22. I TRIED to convince her that the AR was a more effective general weapon, but she couldn't be swayed. She had her heart set on the 10/22. So a year or so after that, we went and bought one for her.

The first time she cleaned it she stopped DEAD STILL and looked up and said, "DAD! This thing isn't gas operated! It's got NO gas tube or locking lugs or anything like that! HOW in the world does it function?!". When I explained "blowback" she was amazed. :-)

This same young lady (now 12) is also proficient with AR-15, SKS, and the Colt .45 ACP....but she still LOVES that Ruger 10/22. :-)

Kids are a hoot. :-)

[highlymotivated]

Bought a Russian M-44 with flip bayonet on it, dated 1946, with Hammer and Sickle on it! 7.62x52! Bought a 1940 bolt-action Marlin .22lr for my little man (9). Pulled the bolt so he can practice with it safely.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

I need to go over to a gun show over there to sell the .30 M-1 with folding stock I don't shoot anymore...

[RetiredArmy]

We live with the constant threat of the Big One here in Washington state. There will be no 5-days worth of warnings. You have to have some type of survival kit already in your home, ready. You should never allow your food stocks to get too low, as we always buy at least one extra week ahead on lots of stuff. I have a portable generator and keep at least 15 gallons of gas on hand at all times. You should always be prepared for things to go wrong in THIS world. It is to "iffy" of a world now. So, you have to be prepared. Regardless of the time of year, weather, etc., we are as prepared as we can be. If we are at or near home when it does come, we can get there and have access to our supplies. If too far from home, then we will simply have to do what we can until we can get there. But, I keep in the back of my vehicle one of those plastic containers with items in it for when we are on the road, in the case of accidents, natural events, etc. You just never know. IT IS UP TO YOU TO BE PREPARED. DO NOT RELY ON THE GOVERNMENT, ANY GOVERNMENT TO TAKE CARE OF YOU, YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR IT YOURSELF AND BE READY.

For ALL you out there, think about that. Think hard. In today's world, with today's events, are you prepared for the mess of a terrorist strike, small nuke event, weather related event, earthquake event, etc. Do what you can NOW. If you don't, when the time comes, YOU and YOUR FAMILY will be the ones to suffer. Then you will say to yourself, "why didn't I prepare?" Too late then folks. DO IT NOW!

[highlymotivated]

Try

www.gunbroker.com

You'll get a better price most likely.

[hiredhand]

If you two keep this up, Barrel Erosion could be a greater threat to our Republic than looters. And don't forget ear protection.

Barrel Erosion? Don't you keep a couple of spare barrels and bushings? :-)

[Conspiracy Guy]

I hold back on the totals. I've had as many as 50 firearms at one time. I slimmed it down to the high teens.

[Major_Risktaker]

NOTHING and I mean NOTHING beats a 12ga up close and personal. When you rack that PUMP, you instill FEAR into their nasty little hearts.

Your right and this ammo below instills fear into everything else.

[kstewskis]

Kids are a hoot. :-)

And you are a good daddy! :)

[johnb838]

They're not firearms though, they're "High-powered Assault Weapons"

[highlymotivated]

Having shot the M2 on active duty many times, I know I'd HATE to be on the receiving end of it. No joy to be had there.