Posted on 09/29/2001 4:29:48 PM PDT by TERMINATTOR
Gun sale resurgence: Americans saying with wallet, "We feel safer when armed"
Scripps Howard News Service
Keeping up with the changes in the political landscape as America girds for war could give a person whiplash. The old bedrock assumptions about defense and domestic spending, rights to "privacy" and the operation of law enforcement, even opinions on criminal profiling, are changing with lightning speed.
So, too, has there been another, perhaps little-noted shift: our view of guns. I should say the fashionable circle's view of guns. After all, there are some 200 million firearms in the United States, the vast majority of which are legally owned.
Nevertheless, every time there is any kind of an assault with firearms against innocents, we inevitably hear that more gun control is the "answer" because, according to these folks, guns are the root of all crime and mayhem. Usually there's an attempt, often successful, at more gun-control initiatives.
Then came the horror of Sept. 11. What few have ventured to point out is that in this entire calamitous crime, throughout this act of war and terrorism like our country has never seen before, not a single gun was used. So much for seeing guns as the problem, and gun control as the solution.
Americans want to feel safer, and they want to protect their children, which is why this time they are emptying gun stores, fast. Six eastern states, presumably those with populations who feel most vulnerable as a result of the recent attacks and including several, such as New York, that have lead the way in strictly controlling guns, report that gun sales are soaring. And don't you know that more than a few of the purchasers, who would have been aghast at such a thought just a few weeks ago, are sheepishly purchasing them?
No, guns may not exactly protect their carriers against terrorists - then again, they might - but people are voting with their wallets. And they are saying they feel safer with guns than with those who would "protect" them by limiting or ending their ability to get a firearm. We may be witnessing a change from "gun as menace" to "gun as marvel" mentality. Consider the call for sky marshals on airlines, and now the plea from the Airline Pilots Association that pilots be allowed to pack heat during flights. I'm not exactly sure how the pilots would both fend off hijackers with a firearm and fly the plane, but I think the larger point is one of deterrence.
People everywhere, including criminals and even suicidal hijackers, at some level make rational calculations. If the hijackers had thought for a moment that anyone on the plane was at all likely to be armed and ready to use a gun, they almost certainly would not have attempted their deed, simply out of knowledge their plot would fail.
Talk of arming pilots and the extent to which we're putting air marshals on planes may be one reason they will almost certainly not attempt this particular route of terrorism again. They will likely try other avenues to terrorism against which guns may not deter.
But the larger point is that in times of peace and prosperity, society has the luxury of turning down its collectively turned-up nose on those who would protect themselves and their families with firearms. But in time of war, reality and self-preservation surface.
When the smoke clears, we'll notice something else on the new political landscape: that it will be a long, long time before Gun Control Inc. dares to advocate curbs on the Second Amendment again.
Absolutely. Someone was even kind enough to copy Bill's instructions and post them here complete with scanned pics. Don't worry about any issues involved with "bending a critical part". Just follow the instructions. It's a snap. But if you're still dead set against it, a local 'smith could probably do it for about ten bucks.
Callahan
Dry out some ground pork, then load it into shotshells to make your own "porkshot". :)
Callahan
I'm starting to get a collection of spare parts. I really should stock up on springs. I have been buying magazines as much as I can for the various semi's. I wish I could turn back the clock.
Do I read that right?
If the president urged private citizens to arm themselves, there would not be a gunstore in America with guns left on their shelves. Perhaps, we could email the president with this suggestion?
Yep.
ROFLMAO!!!!!
Me thinks the number is closer to 500 or 600 million.
If you have a chance to try both, do so. Some people dislike the ergonomics and trigger of the Glock (I don't care for either myself), while others find the grip and decocker/safety of the Beretta to be uncomfortable or annoying.
I like the Beretta (own an Elite II), but I've fired both and made the decision on which was better for ME, not what was better for someone else with a brand preference. Both are fine firearms. You will not go wrong with either.
I've got a Glock 17, 19, and the Beretta 92 they are all great. I also have the Glock 23 in .40, and the Glock 21 in .45 ACP.
I guess I have to say I probably like the Glock a bit more.
Bought an M-48 Yugo (all matching numbers,looks unfired)for $99 at an army-navy down by the farmers market.That 8mm is an awesome round.198 gr.soft tip will sure knock down a deer or anything else it hits.
It cleaned up into a beauty(with lots of scotch stoneing and Purple power
(thank god for gunboards.ie; www.milsurpshooter.net)
Have a scout mount from B-Sq.coming and am going to get a long eye relief scope,saw one from R&B Sales,(ask for Becky 770-419-8208 They will meet or beat ANY advertized price.And that includes mounting and boresighting.)A Burris 1.5X4 with illuminated reticle.
Have been reading about the scout concept and really like what I've seen.
Oh the guys at the Army-Navy said they'd sold 600 gas masks by this Friday.
Still waiting on my C&R FFL but soon,soon.
Ruger Mini 14! Cheap, very reliable and tons of NATO ammo available
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