Posted on 10/27/2008 9:43:56 AM PDT by llevrok
Americans have cut back on buying cars, furniture and clothes in a tough economy, but there's one consumer item that's still enjoying healthy sales: guns. Purchases of firearms and ammunition have risen 8 to 10 percent this year, according to state and federal data.
Several variables drive sales, but many dealers, buyers and experts attribute the increase in part to concerns about the economy and fears that if Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois wins the presidency, he will join with fellow Democrats in Congress to enact new gun controls. Obama has said that he believes in an individual right to bear arms but that he also supports "common-sense safety measures."
"Even though [Obama] has a lot going for him, he's not very pro-gun," said Paul Pluff, a spokesman for Massachusetts-based Smith & Wesson, which has reported higher sales. Gun enthusiasts are "going to go out and get [firearms] while they still can." "Generally, we know that hard economic times always result in firearm sales," said James M. Purtilo of Silver Spring, who publishes the Tripwire Newsletter.
Bob Leyshion, who visited a gun shop in Manassas recently, said the economic crisis and Obama's lead in the polls were on his mind.
Gun owners haven't been especially thrilled about the prospect of Sen. John McCain in the White House. They see the Arizona Republican as less of a threat than Obama, but they are still angry over McCain's support for certain gun-control measures in the past, such as requiring purchasers at gun shows to undergo background checks.
Gun owners said McCain's moose-hunting running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is far more likely to champion Second Amendment rights.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The Lefties who control the media never give up the lie, do they? Constant barrage of lying bullshit never ends.
That's a damned squishy statement, coming from any firearms manufacturer's "spokesperson". Good luck keeping an Obama administration from reviving that ugly agreement that everyone seems to think is dead, S&W.
One of my friends also ‘woke up’ recently and is looking at a Rem 870. I told him he won’t be able to stop at just one...
Bing near the Gulf, my favorite is the Marine finished version.
Lobbiest playing both sides of the fence, "just in case".
I reside in the peoples republic of California but own a home in a small town of 25,000 in Nevada. While in Nevada I went to the main hardware store who is the largest gun and ammo dealer in this town.
On the floor, was two large flat bed carts, like you see in Sam’s club or Costco. On each cart was about two rows of various ammo that you could just walk up and help yourself. There were eight people in front of me at the gun counter, so I had to wait to get help. When it was my turn the employee told me that it has been that busy for several weeks and they are reaching record sells in ammo and guns. The two carts were stacked as high as an average man just a few days ago and now were less than two rows.
It’s election time in America.
“I ventured over to DUland the other day and read how they are taking to the streets if Obama doesnt win.”
A target rich environment!!
ping
Retailers are not expecting to have a banner year this holiday season, unless they sell guns and ammo.
The DU is supporting a radical socialist who is disappointed in the U.S. Constitution. What kind of a mind can hold these views and still think he should be the President? The guy is in denial. He doesn’t know what he stands for.
....and getting ready for the day of reckoning.
I just bought a new AR-15. Funny thing, it was made in ILLINOIS!!!!!!!!! Of all states. It was too funny.
“What kind of a mind can hold these views and still think he should be the President? “
An ignoramus, a traitor or both. The days of tolerance for these people is over.
I hate to tell you this but I was at one of the largest gun shops in the country (Over 4,000 weapons on display!) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the owner stated that his customers are all concerned about firearm bans yet half, I repeat: HALF, are voting Obama. While I was there an older retired guy was buying another gun but he was also voting Obama because he thought the Democrats will give him more Social Security.
I suspect there have been many people voting Obama as a vote against the Republicans lacks of proper action on many itmes. We voted by mail-in ballot and voted for McCain, but I know some die-hard Republican conservatives that refuse to vote for McCain or Obama. They would rather see the country go to civil war and settle things that way as they see the ballot box as being ineffective over the past 20 years.
So far, I haven’t seen any requirement for paper documentation of private sales.
And, consequently, I sold everything I ever owned several years ago, in case anyone is wondering.
Obama and his fellow gun-ban-wannabees had better consider the following: NO ONE buys a gun with the intention of giving it up.
If y’all think that sales are up now, wait to see what happens if BO wins - it’ll be out of sight...and my observation above will be even more applicable.
At the gun shows I have been to, if dealers, not private individuals are selling, then the dealer still needs to fill out the 4473...
Other wise correct, most states allow private sales that are simply that, a private transaction.
One 870 or one firearm?
I already told my husband that I’m buying a gun if Obama wins. He said he would help me in learning how to shoot. Now what kind of gun should I buy?
How many Baker's Dozen was that?
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