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Crazy About Guns: The press spooks its readers about increased gun purchases
Slate ^ | November 13, 2008 | Jack Shafer

Posted on 11/16/2008 12:07:17 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Firearms scare almost everybody. But no demographic gets more wiggy about handguns, shotguns, and rifles than journalists. Ever since the Washington Post ("Gun Sales Thriving in Uncertain Times," Oct. 27) put the idea into circulation that the election and economic turmoil were spurring an increase in gun and ammo sales, a score of other news outlets have published their takes on the topic.

The Salt Lake Tribune got there on Nov. 6 ("Election Triggers Upsurge in Military-Like Firearms Sales"), the New York Times on Nov. 7 ("On Concerns Over Gun Control, Gun Sales Are Up"), the Associated Press ("Fears of Democrat Crackdown Lead to Gun Sales Boom") and Reuters on Nov. 8 ("Obama Win Triggers Run on Guns in Many Stores"), the Kansas City Star on Nov. 9 ("Election's Outcome Triggers Record Sales at Gun Shops"), the Anchorage Daily News on Nov. 10 ("Armed and Nervous in Alaska"), FoxNews.com ("Gun Owners Stockpiling Over Fear of Democratic Weapon Bans") and CNN.com on Nov. 11 ("Gun Sales Surge After Obama's Election"), the Chicago Tribune ("Obama Win Triggers Run on Guns") and the Globe and Mail on Nov. 12 ("Obama Win Spurs U.S. Gun Sales Boom"). And that's just a partial list.

The foundation upon which these outlets build their stories is solid: The primary measurement of gun purchases shows that sales are rising this year. Federal law requires licensed gun dealers to submit background check requests of all purchasers to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The Post reports that "there were 8.4 million background checks from Jan. 1 to Sept. 28, compared with 7.7 million in the same period last year," which is a 9 percent increase.

(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: 111th; 2008; 2ndamendment; banglist; bho2008; congress; democrats; marines; obama; presidentelectobama; rtkba
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To: mountainlion

I was just reading today on FR that the rifle Oswald used cost $12.95.


61 posted on 11/16/2008 5:37:27 PM PST by ncpatriot
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To: TruthInThoughtWordAndDeed
2) As a medium of exchange, when the dollar tanks, which would be better to hold as a store of wealth for barter?

I'm an amateur Brew Meister.

62 posted on 11/16/2008 5:40:53 PM PST by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: mountainlion

Aww, really? I’ve been hoping to get an M1 but had to wait until I moved out of CA (since I was a student, not a resident). Now they’re inching up towards four figures? Damn.


63 posted on 11/16/2008 5:50:04 PM PST by MIT-Elephant ("Armed with what? Spitballs?")
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To: familyop

You should post that as a thread. I think a lot of people would find it useful. I know I did.


64 posted on 11/16/2008 6:02:26 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Barack Obama: In Error and arrogant -- he's errogant!)
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To: Grizzled Bear

Me too, with prices going up it might be a good form of barter currency.


65 posted on 11/16/2008 6:02:36 PM PST by MIT-Elephant ("Armed with what? Spitballs?")
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Thank you. I have to be up and running at 4:30 (and through sundown without advance notice during some of the next few days) but will consider composing a relevant piece, when time allows.


66 posted on 11/16/2008 6:11:56 PM PST by familyop (cbt. engr. (cbt), NG, '89-'96, Duncan Hunter or no-vote, http://falconparty.com/)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Oh. On firearms and young adults, have a look at YouTube with keywords like

youtube mossberg pistol grip

The following is pretty funny, BTW.

Stupid hillbillies get a gun pulled out on them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOj6Qg5OC68&feature=related


67 posted on 11/16/2008 6:51:01 PM PST by familyop (cbt. engr. (cbt), NG, '89-'96, Duncan Hunter or no-vote, http://falconparty.com/)
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To: ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY
I was at a gun show in Austin yesterday to get my air rifle repaired by a gunsmith who was going to be there. We arrived about 45 min after opening time; neither I, nor the gunsmith, had ever seen anything like it! There was a 1/4 mile long line 3-4 people deep waiting to get inside the convention center!! Parking was impossible; the closest I have ever seen a crowd like that was at a rock concert or pro-football game. This was in liberal Austin!

Thanks for the cheerful news :)

68 posted on 11/16/2008 7:06:41 PM PST by Centurion2000 (To protect and defend ... against all enemies, foreign and domestic .... by any means necessary.)
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To: castlebrew

No, no magazine in the well, but that does not mean the chamber is clear.


69 posted on 11/16/2008 8:05:18 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
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To: Smokin' Joe

I think we are both referring to Algore... :)


70 posted on 11/16/2008 8:11:53 PM PST by castlebrew (Gun control means hitting where you intended to!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"Firearms scare almost everybody?" LOL. BOO! HIBBITY-JIBBITY!

Freaking girly-men Liberals.

They just love their firearms-brandishing POSER actors in Hollywood. Give ANY of those dolts a REAL gun, and they'd crap their collective POSING pants.

Will Smith and Leo DiCaprio I think your mommies are calling you. BOO! LOL.

71 posted on 11/16/2008 8:14:35 PM PST by Miss Behave (Beloved daughter of Miss Creant, super sister of danged Miss Ology, and proud mother of Miss Hap.)
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To: Allegra
Ha! LOL, Allegra.

Stay safe over there, Woman Warrior. Thank you my LIFE'S-worth, Allegra. Continued Godspeed.

72 posted on 11/16/2008 8:17:46 PM PST by Miss Behave (Beloved daughter of Miss Creant, super sister of danged Miss Ology, and proud mother of Miss Hap.)
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To: TADSLOS

BUMP BUMP BUMP, TADSLOS! THANK YOU FOR *THE* IDIOT PICTURE!


73 posted on 11/16/2008 8:19:28 PM PST by Miss Behave (Beloved daughter of Miss Creant, super sister of danged Miss Ology, and proud mother of Miss Hap.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"Firearms scare almost everybody."

GOOD. Let them STAY scared. LOL.

74 posted on 11/16/2008 8:24:08 PM PST by Miss Behave (Beloved daughter of Miss Creant, super sister of danged Miss Ology, and proud mother of Miss Hap.)
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To: castlebrew

It works either way, when you think about it...


75 posted on 11/16/2008 8:46:42 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
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