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Firearms, Ammunition See Explosive Sales Growth
WSJ ^ | 9/21/09 | Bill Spain

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bagnlist; banglist; bhobanglist; bloat; larrysinclairslover; obama; secondamendment; shallnotbeinfringed
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The one good result from obamanomics.
1 posted on 09/22/2009 12:11:15 PM PDT by pissant
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To: pissant
The one good result from obamanomics.

True, but it is keeping me from getting enough ammo for quality range time.

2 posted on 09/22/2009 12:12:47 PM PDT by Godzilla (3-7-77)
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To: pissant

That, and the sale of “Going Out of Business” signs.


3 posted on 09/22/2009 12:15:25 PM PDT by Huskrrrr
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To: pissant

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.


4 posted on 09/22/2009 12:15:30 PM PDT by mikelets456
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To: pissant

Always happy to contribute...


5 posted on 09/22/2009 12:16:07 PM PDT by xcamel (The urge to save humanity is always a false front for the urge to rule it. - H. L. Mencken)
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To: pissant

try to buy primers....they are obtainable but you have to jump through hoops or pay highly inflated prices.....


6 posted on 09/22/2009 12:17:09 PM PDT by Vaquero ("an armed society is a polite society" Robert A. Heinlein)
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To: pissant

7 posted on 09/22/2009 12:20:42 PM PDT by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: pissant; Red in Blue PA; Joe Brower

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.


8 posted on 09/22/2009 12:20:59 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (Does 0b0z0 have any friends, who aren't traitors, spies, tax cheats and criminals?)
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To: pissant
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. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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.

9 posted on 09/22/2009 12:21:21 PM PDT by Candor7 (The effective weapons against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (Member NRA)
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To: Lurker

Excellent consider this great jpg stolen, er, borrowed.

http://www.nationalrepublicrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/obamagunsalesman-210x300.jpg


10 posted on 09/22/2009 12:23:03 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (Does 0b0z0 have any friends, who aren't traitors, spies, tax cheats and criminals?)
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To: Godzilla
True, but it is keeping me from getting enough ammo for quality range time.

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

11 posted on 09/22/2009 12:24:59 PM PDT by IYAS9YAS (The townhalls were going great until the oPods showed up.)
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To: Candor7

“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


12 posted on 09/22/2009 12:25:13 PM PDT by bestintxas
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To: pissant

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?


13 posted on 09/22/2009 12:31:56 PM PDT by SampleMan (Socialism enslaves you & kills your soul.)
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To: Candor7

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.


14 posted on 09/22/2009 12:34:35 PM PDT by SampleMan (Socialism enslaves you & kills your soul.)
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To: pissant

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).


15 posted on 09/22/2009 12:35:36 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: mikelets456

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....


16 posted on 09/22/2009 12:37:34 PM PDT by Adder (Proudly ignoring Zero since 1-20-09!)
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To: SampleMan
Its interesting how the MSM and a few squirly writers create Urban Mythology.

There is a quiet revolution happening in America.

THe 2010 elections had better be free and fair IMHO.

17 posted on 09/22/2009 12:39:34 PM PDT by Candor7 (The effective weapons against Fascism are ridicule, derision, and truth (Member NRA)
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To: pissant
Democrats are generally perceived to be hostile to the interests of gun enthusiasts and their organizations 2nd Amendment in particular, and individual freedoms in general.

Fixed.


Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

18 posted on 09/22/2009 12:49:00 PM PDT by The Comedian (Evil can only succeed if good men don't point at it and laugh.)
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To: pissant

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.


19 posted on 09/22/2009 12:50:10 PM PDT by Oatka ("A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves." –Bertrand de Jouvenel)
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To: pissant

I certainly did my part in this...


20 posted on 09/22/2009 12:50:14 PM PDT by Zeppo (Save the cheerleader, save the world...)
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