Gun sales up 9% despite poor economy

[ericire12]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/27/politics/washingtonpost/main4547564.shtml

In 2008, there were 8.4 million background checks from Jan. 1 to Sept. 28, compared with 7.7 million in the same period last year, a 9 percent increase, according to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

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."

Gun purchases have also been climbing because of the worsening economy, which fuels fears of crime and civil disorder, industry sources and specialists said.

"Generally, we know that hard economic times always result in firearm sales," said James M. Purtilo of Silver Spring, who publishes the Tripwire Newsletter.

Gary Kleck, a researcher at Florida State University's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice whose work was cited in the District's recent Supreme Court gun-control case, said that although there are no scientific studies linking gun sales and economic conditions, people often buy firearms during periods of uncertainty. People often buy weapons because of concerns about personal safety or government actions to limit access to firearms, causing spikes in sales, Kleck said.

Industry experts and law enforcement officials point to several examples over the years. In 1994, there was a rush to buy guns when President Bill Clinton pushed for a ban on military-style semiautomatic rifles. Handgun sales jumped last year after the massacre at Virginia Tech as some worried about personal protection and others feared sweeping restrictions on handguns, pushing applications for concealed gun permits in Virginia alone up 60 percent. People also rushed to buy guns after the 1992 riots in Los Angeles and the breakdown of order in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The increase is also notable because it follows a heavy year for gun purchases, which industry officials and experts link to the Virginia Tech shootings in April 2007 and a burgeoning housing market crisis. NICS checks show a 20 percent increase in April 2007, compared with the previous year.

This year's jump is a continuation of a trend that began in 2006, about the time the housing bubble popped in parts of the nation, and remained steady last year as the political season began to take shape and the housing crisis grew. It is also a bigger jump than the average annual increases of about 5 percent or less typical since instant background checks began in 1998.

Federal tax data also show that quarterly excise taxes collected on sales of firearms and ammunition have increased about 10 percent this year, compared with last year, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

[PegLeg45]

Heck, I'd buy one a week if I could afford it.....right now I'm doing good to just afford ammo for the ones I have.....

[Pathfinder]

In spite of the economy?

I'm thinking it's because of the economy.

[twyacht]

Numbers are like Pres. polls, I just posted on the political thread, NBC news, tonight, said 18% increase in gunsales due to Crime and the Economy! Not BHO's track record if elected.

Nobody from the MSM went and spent time in a gun store, they would find out the real reason.....

I'm going to get what ever BHO doesn't approve of, AK, hi-cap pistol, something before January.

[CJS3]

  Stocking up on ammo and reloading components.

[Sponsor]

[Jim Urban]

Already stocked to the hilt with firearms, ammo, food and all other SOON to be NEEDED supplies.

YES, I do think it will get that bad.

[alfsauve]

Yeah, I'm stocking up on ammo & reloading components more than anything, but with the current news stories, I might be able to accelerate the purchase of one or two guns by end of the year.  And especially if bHO wins, while I don't need another one, I could see my way clear to a 2nd AR.