There is a simpler explanation for all of the gun/ammo sales than the dramatic “going to war” scenario.
First, this is the economy being stimulated in one of the ways easily available at the moment. Food, energy, entertainment, guns, etc., all fall under the heading of “consumer spending”, the single biggest component of the US economy. This component needs to keep moving, and it is, through fear.
Secondly, the government is not concerned about “going to war” with this population, at least half of which are willing livestock already. Between large-scale data mining of social media websites, comments sections of news articles, public forums, medical records, and other readily available financial data, the government has all the information they need to win a “war” without ever firing a shot. They know names, IP/MAC and real addresses, employers, bank accounts, friends and associates, etc., etc., and can shut down anyone they want with nothing but paperwork. 99% of gun owners will turn in their guns the day their ATM card stops working. The other 1% will get mopped up Dorner-style.
We are “free” only so far as we delude ourselves.
“99% of gun owners will turn in their guns the day their ATM card stops working.”
I disagree and think that most gun owners would be more determined to keep their guns once their ATM card stops working.
If that day comes, guns will be worth more than their weight in gold.
Do you have any idea how many firearms owners are represented by "1%"?
The reaction of many would be to come back later and shoot the ATM from just out of camera range.
They know names, IP/MAC and real addresses
I have been away from network management for a long time (14 years). Is there a mechanism whereby the MAC address is known outside the local network (unless the router has been compromised or some program is sending out the MAC)? I'm wondering, if I were to buy a laptop wireless nic off eBay and cruise around different wifi nets in town, is there a straightforward method to determine it is "me" each time? (unless I log in somewhere, etc)