I took some guns in to get a verbal appraisal done, just an idea of what they were worth, for a friend whose husband died and left behind a few."One way to find out," I wrote him back, "at least anecdotally--let me post your email and ask the readers."
I've been going into the gunshops around here off and on for a few years, but a little more regularly lately. I fell off a 40 foot cliff last July, breaking my hip and fracturing my skull, and during my recovery realized how much like an easy target I looked, and decided to renew my expired CCW license and purchase a newer handgun than the old one I had in my twenties. Naturally, going to gun shops is kind of addictive, and I've been to several in the area.
Anyway... the point is: I was in two different gun shops today, and noticed a larger than average number of people browsing, and some buying. I watched as one old fella had a pistol that he had in a closet appraised, and then ended up going to look at shotguns for home defense. I don't know if it's the current political situation or some other cause, but it seems more and more people are getting into guns than the past few years.
Just something I noted during my trips to the shops today. Might be interesting to find out if other people are noticing the same thing, or if I just happened to land on an unusual day.
He said "yes" and I'm asking. Are you noticing an increase in activity, and if so, why do you think that might be?
12 comments:
I know the last few gun shows I've been to have been really hopping. I think everybody sees the dark ________* cloud on the horizon.
* Insert your choice: democrat, jihadi, economic collapse, etc
Looks like about a 15% increase in people at least looking to buy something. Some ask me for advice, which I tell them you get what you pay for basically.
Also I see a small increase in memberships in local gun clubs and maybe longer range membership.
A small side note I also am asked more often now days about joining a state militia group.
David,
I've noticed this since the infamous Cheshire, Connecticut home invasion of last year. Well, that's when I started asking, anyway. Pistol permit applicants had been on the rise, according to instructors I've asked in western Connecticut.
When I finally broke down and acknowledged the permit system, one could typically find an instructor that ran a class -- for one area -- perhaps twice a year. At the peak of the permit rush last year, one shop told me they found it necessary to hold a class several times a week.
Yes, I've seen an unusual number of "green" buyers asking all sorts of questions that indicate the bulk of their education was provided by Hollywood. (The disarmament crowd has had a huge win over the freedom crowd in the area of education; many people are too frightened to read about or associate themselves with "pro-gun" organizations.)
There is other evidence, such as that local clubs that have opened up their membership immediately experienced a flood of applicants. These new members aren't so much interested in the club atmosphere or competition as they are in just having a place to shoot. And do they shoot, which is why at least two clubs that I know of are fighting from being shut down due to complaints by neighbors. (One issue was noise, the other part of the global jihad against lead.)
I also find that handguns of a certain type move the quickest from inventory. Deer rifles, fancy shotguns and long-barrel revolvers sit on the shelves for months or years, while small-frame revolvers, Glocks and miniature auto-loaders typically last from three to five days.
Difficult to determine in this neck of the woods. First the Christmas season occupied people with thoughts other than firearms, even though some of the gunshops ran some reasonably attractive deals. Lately I do see more folks at least looking because the word is out to stock up before a democrat assumes the Presidency then works with an amenable Congress to institute another AWB. Looking doesn't appear to have translated much to buying new guns, but certain ammunitions are flying off the shelves.
Can't turn on the radio without hearing an ad for a gun shop, so we'll see if this stimulates more firearm sales, but the bottom line still seems to be the fact that people are leery of paying above-retail and then some and have taken to refitting and feeding their existing weapon systems.
I've always kept my eyes open, will continue to do so, and if anything unusual goes down I'll report back.
I live in a town of about 3500 people (no, that's not a typo!) in rural Wyoming. Our annual gun show is in March and we had a blizzard that weekend. There were 80 tables filled, and the place was packed both days. I don't know the total gun sales, of course, but I think they were substantial. I bought one... more.
I'm a certified handgun and self defense instructor, and my classes have been full. We don't see too many CC permits here because open carry is both legal and accepted, but there is an increase in requests for those classes as well.
A small side note I also am asked more often now days about joining a state militia group.
Well, cool.
Try to form your own small "band" out of family and friends. Working in close-knit cells is best. If an AWB does come into being, and I don't automatically assume one for attitude sake, we need to be able to come to each other's aid somehow.
C.H.
In my area interest has been way down. I the last year we have not taught but one initial CCW class or any initial women's beginners classes. We have had several CCW renewal classes, but gun sales have been way down. We are located in a rural area among small towns,,1500-2000 population. A third party mentioned that we had probably already licensed everyone that was potentially interested. I suspect that is probably the correct reason for lack of interest.
A lot of people will already have the guns they need. And a lot of people know where to get more if theirs are confiscated. You take them from the people who have them.
So, I suspect that many of those not buying are either already prepared or realize that when they really will need them, the odds are good that they will have been "raided" and the newly illegal guns they have paid for will be gone. So Plan B is under consideration and it may be a reason for not buying strictly for defense. Collectors and sports shooters may not be deterred from purchase, but the justifiably paranoid may be.
My wife and I bought our first gun ever in '07 (using money from being an election judge, huzzah!) Both of us from moderately or vehemently anti-gun families. Not sure if that counts. I suspect when I let our siblings have a go, at least some of them will follow suit.
CHL permit applications here in Texas have skyrocketed this year, (I want to say to the tune of 40% or so, but I don't recall the exact number) and very rarely can I visit any of my local gun shops or ranges without seeing at least 4 or 5 other people.
My old schedule used to allow me to go run errands (pick up ammo, look at what is new on the shelves, etc.) with relative ease, and only a handful of people around. Now that I work bankers hours, getting into my mainstay gun shop during a lunch break or on a weekend is downright tough.
The owner of the main gun shop I normally visit informed me not long ago that he has been selling more AK's and AR's lately, there are even a few gentlemen who are buying one AR every payday.
Shoot, I can only speculate at how much busier Auctionarms.com and gunbroker.com are these days. I know there are a heck of a lot more listings and members as of late.
via drudge
I have, and my friends have. Political, societal, and economic (future crash, wealth preservation) reasons.
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