2) A lot of commentary has said this is because of fear of new gun control laws, which is in part correct. But fom the people I know, many of whom are veterans, they're not just buying them just because they're afraid they soon won't be able to: they're buying them because they think they might have to use them. And not against hungry hordes of homeless but against the Federal government.
If we get an attempt at or passage of i) the 'Fairness' Doctrine or ii) a renewal of the AWB, look for a campaign of targeted assassination and civil disobedience.
That brings up an interesting point. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea for each of us to buy a few extra guns cheap (ie the <$100 Nosins) to distribute when needed. (some ammo for them too...