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Why Have Gun Sales Dropped So Much?
The Atlantic Wire ^ | July 25, 2013 | Philip Bump

Posted on 07/25/2013 4:03:37 PM PDT by lbryce

n June, the number of background checks conducted by the FBI — a strong indicator of new gun sales — hit its lowest level since September 2011. The figure was down 54 percent from December 2012, in which more background checks were performed than any previous month in history. But why?

There are probably four reasons : Obama, the seasons, gun control, and physics.

Using data from the FBI, we created a chart showing the number of background checks per month. This isn't tied directly to sales; Kentucky, for example, requires a new check at the renewal of a gun permit. But it's a good indicator.

cont'd

(Excerpt) Read more at theatlanticwire.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; guncontrol; gunsales; secondamendment
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To: lbryce

The point where the Left should worry is not when gun sales surge. The point they should worry is when sales decline after a long surge. Because that will mean that people feel they finally have enough guns.


81 posted on 07/25/2013 6:48:58 PM PDT by PapaBear3625 (You don't notice it's a police state until the police come for you.)
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To: TYVets

Yes, absolutely. I inferred to them indirectly and realizing statistics can be played both ways. Not being as knowledgeable on the subject, I sought to get reaction from the FR crowd.


82 posted on 07/25/2013 6:52:27 PM PDT by lbryce
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

They don’t sell them at Walmart around here, but we have a Cabela’s


83 posted on 07/25/2013 6:52:55 PM PDT by stevio (God, guns, guts.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Yup, market saturation. Guns are the most durable of goods, able to last for generations. Unless you shoot a lot on a regular basis, it’s easy to buy enough ammo to last you years if not decades. After a dozen guns and tens of thousands of rounds acquired, just comes a point you have little justification in spending thousands of dollars more.


84 posted on 07/25/2013 6:53:03 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (Making good people helpless doesn't make bad people harmless.)
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To: lbryce

Spoke to a dealer recently and he said his sales have dropped because people mostly already have what they want for guns and may be moving on to other items.


85 posted on 07/25/2013 6:53:04 PM PDT by SgtHooper (The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

Ammo is all over the place, online. No shortage, just a bit pricey for calibers like 308. But ammo is plentiful.


86 posted on 07/25/2013 6:54:40 PM PDT by SgtHooper (The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.)
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To: lbryce

My local gun shoppe sells fewer weapons right now because it has fewer guns with which to choose. I mean his inventory is about a tenth of what it was two years ago. It has little ammo and people aren’t trading their weapons in like they have in the past. I wouldn’t say his business is off but it has been difficult for him to build his inventory back up.


87 posted on 07/25/2013 6:56:07 PM PDT by vetvetdoug
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To: AEMILIUS PAULUS

Full auto is waaay overrrated—semi is the best. If you want full auto, go to Slidefire and try that add-on.


88 posted on 07/25/2013 6:56:07 PM PDT by SgtHooper (The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.)
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To: yarddog

ARs are definitely more reasonably priced and available.

.223/5.56 availability is much better, prices not so much. But I am seeing some $10 boxes of PMC locally (not at Walmart). Most of the below 50¢ a round stuff is still Russian steel. Availability is mostly improved online

22LR still pretty much a nightmare

7.62x39 plenty; local has WPA for 30¢ (cases only); loads online

9mm more available, prices horrible. Have been able to get limited supplies of Wolf steel case at (almost) reasonable price, no problems so far

38 special it’s out there online, horrible prices


89 posted on 07/25/2013 6:58:47 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: taxcontrol

That’d be for a huge operation, but who needs it. You can buy 10-20 Dillion 1150’s at 2k a pop and crank out 1000 rounds an hour per. The real hard part is getting the primers—very hard to find.


90 posted on 07/25/2013 6:59:21 PM PDT by SgtHooper (The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.)
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To: qaz123
Ammo is beginning to come down. I have pretty much all I need but 5.56. Online prices are within .08/rd of benchmark Walmart prices for the green tips I buy. Soon I'll have enough.

I am watching for promotions on AR’s though. Saw nice PSA with Aimpoint Pro red dot for $1100. Knock another $100 off and I'll probably invest for each of my 3 grandsons (ages 1-7). Eventually the Supreme Court will get flipped and the 2nd Amendment won't be worth the paper the Constitution was written on. In 20 years the grandsons will be glad I thought ahead.

I say if you can afford it invest in arms and ammo.

91 posted on 07/25/2013 7:02:26 PM PDT by Tail Gunner John
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To: ChildOfThe60s

The local Wal-Mart supercenter got in a bunch of ARs about two months ago. Last time I checked they still have around 4 different models plus a .22LR version.

Prices are about what they were before the latest shortage. Also their gun racks are now full of various guns. Still almost no ammo. I did notice a few months ago, they temporarily got in a good supply of ammo but it was gone within a week.


92 posted on 07/25/2013 7:06:05 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8: verses 38 and 39. "For I am persuaded".)
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To: Billthedrill

Yeah, I looked at the graph and thought the author doesn’t know how to read or interpret a graph. Or, more likely, he is simply seeing what he wants to see.

Cut that spike out and you see at the most a leveling. And that will have to continue for some time to qualify as a trend. In reality we see a continuing upward trend with intermittent peaks and valleys. A LOT of guns sold in the *retail* market. New guns. No telling about the secondary market. Soon to be the black market if the lefties have their way.


93 posted on 07/25/2013 7:08:13 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: lbryce

Market saturation. Everybody got their AR, and now they are hunting for ammo.


94 posted on 07/25/2013 7:09:24 PM PDT by GenXteacher (You have chosen dishonor to avoid war; you shall have war also.)
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To: lbryce

Many people have realized that there’s no point in buying guns until ammo is available.


95 posted on 07/25/2013 7:10:06 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: stranger and pilgrim

Good point. The gun shop isn’t going to run the check until it has the gun you want available for purchase.


96 posted on 07/25/2013 7:11:36 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: Tijeras_Slim

Our local shop built a nice, long awaited indoor range which was completed and ready to open months ago. They can’t open because they feel they don’t have the necessary ammo to supply those who would be using it.


97 posted on 07/25/2013 7:14:05 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s.....you weren't really there)
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To: ChildOfThe60s

az eliminated the requirement for licensure to carry a weapon 2 or 3 years after I got mine. I keep it up to date incase the winds change back.


98 posted on 07/25/2013 7:37:56 PM PDT by az wildkitten (8 years 'til I retire)
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To: lbryce

Are they serious?

Have you tried to find some of the popular models lately?

God forbid you try to find a reasonably priced AR-15!

The manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the demand, meaning there’s a shortage. Prices have surged and that’s put off many buyers.


99 posted on 07/25/2013 7:43:34 PM PDT by FormerLib (Sacrificing our land and our blood cannot buy protection from jihad.-Bishop Artemije of Kosovo)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks lbryce.


100 posted on 07/25/2013 8:11:38 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
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