Why US gun sales are shooting through the roof

[baccusboy]

I saw this on Facebook today, via the NRA:

www.forbes.com/sites/frankminiter/2012/01/18/why-u-s-gun-sales-are-shooting-for-the-moon/2/

It says that Obama is the biggest gun salesman of all time. I would tend to agree.

The article also poses an interesting question -- why are gun sales skyrocketing when we are in such a down economy?

[rtemp]

Good read. Well worth the time.

[gregaw]

I believe the passing of many of the new and/or improved carry laws have helped a lot too. Just look at the items being manufactured and purchased. The top 15 guns from Bud's last year were mostly small, inexpesive guns designed for concealed carry. Not only are those of us who already have a dozen guns buying them, but people can now use guns as the tools they are intended to be (by being able to carry them!), so there are many new buyers in the market. Many who don't see shooting as a sport, but the gun as a tool. I know several such people. (I'm still trying to turn them into 'shooters')

[goody]

I see several reasons for this.

I think the number one reason is that guns are investments. Guns are one of the best investments people can buy. They are easy to buy, retain and gain value over time, and will always be seen as a commodity of sorts. If things get bad, guns will serve as a bigger investment than gold or silver. Not only can they be traded down the road for things of value if one finds themselves in money trouble, but they are also very, very useful and something people will always want. With the fear of a 2012 doomsday, people that buy into this are preparing themselves that might not have owned guns before. Also, the understanding of the purpose for guns and the surge of gun rights have brought new buyers into the market...more and more people that had been neutral to negative on guns are turning the new leaf to understanding guns and are buying more guns. And of course you have the fear of politics--people buying because they fear they may not be able to so easily down the road due to the president, congress, etc.

Combine these factors and surging gun sales makes sense. Ammo as well. And in fact, the purchase of most things like this are up which ties into the things listed above as well.

goody

[Skid]

Sad part is most of the new people to carrying weapons don't practice and won't survive 5 seconds in a fire fight. 99.9 % of the practice done is for a dual, which ain't gonna happen. Standing still and trading shots, bull. And situational awareness, they don't even know what it is.

That's their practice standing still, shooting at a still target, twice every summer in nice weather. Crap sakes!

[rtemp]

A gun is a tool, just like a hammer is. Now, I can take someone out to the garage and teach him in a couple of minutes how to drive a nail. And, if he goes out by himself, once in a while and drives a few nails, over a period of time, he will become more proficient. But, then I take him out to a pile of boards and tell him that he has to build a house or even a fence- he is not going to have clue as to what to do, or how to do it.
The same applies to the gun. It's relatively easy to obtain one and a box of bullets. But it's going to take some while, some in-depth classroom time, a lot of practice sessions and a whole lot of ammo, to even begin to bring about some understanding as to what a gunfight is and how to do something about it.
As you said, Skid. The majority of people are looking for a situation that abides by the Marquis of Queensberry Rules, and it ain't gonna' happen! It's gonna happen quick, fast and when you are least expecting it (and probably least prepared for it).
I can say from experience; after 41 years of LEO training (both as trainee and trainer), countless courses, timed targets, combat scenes, FATs terminals, indoor and out door ranges, barricade shooting, untold hours in the class room and 10's of thousands of rounds expended- I can consistently shoot 98-100%. But I have never found myself in the position of being 100% prepared for the next gunfight.

[gregaw]

I agree with you Skid. Mindset, skillset, toolset; in order of priority! I try to encourage those who buy the toolset to work on the other two as well. I like the mindset articles on corneredcat.com/Contents/
Yes, I know it geared toward females, but it's great for those who aren't really 'gun people'. It's good information too.

[rtemp]

In reviewing corneredcat.com, I noted that they have what seems to be some excellent advice for training of kids.