Fear, Greed Driving Surge in Guns and Ammo Sales
By Susie Madrak Thursday Apr 16, 2009 12:00pm
It's certainly reassuring to know that, as the economy deteriorates, there are more guns in the hands of people everywhere!
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. -- The way Jay Chambers sees it, the semiautomatic weapons in his firearm collection might be the most promising investment in his financial portfolio.
Like many gun enthusiasts, Mr. Chambers, a manager for a door wholesaler here, believes President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress soon will reimpose a version of an expired federal ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons. If such a law passes, he figures his collection -- enough guns, ammo magazines and weapon parts to assemble about 30 AK-47s, AR-15s and other semiautomatic rifles -- could triple in value.
"A guy could easily make a lot of money," says Mr. Chambers, 47 years old, while at Autrey's Armory, a gun store about 20 miles south of Atlanta.
Purchases of guns and ammunition are surging across the country. Nearly four million background checks -- a key measure of sales because they are required at the purchase of a gun from a federally licensed seller -- were performed in the first three months of 2009. That is a 27% increase over the same period a year earlier, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
No one knows exactly what is behind the gun-buying craze. Some buyers say they are stocking up for themselves in anticipation of new gun-control laws, while others say they're worried about deteriorating public safety as the economy worsens.
But it's also clear that part of the gun-buying rally is driven by people like Mr. Chambers who are buying weapons the way others invest in a hot stock. The buying is pumping up prices. Many popular models of guns are back-ordered for a year or more. Some manufacturers are operating plants 24 hours a day. According to the 2009 edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values, the average price of European-made AK-47s -- the famous Soviet-era military weapon now made in several countries -- doubled from $350 last September to more than $700 by the end of 2008.
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I looked at a friends brand new AR-15 a few weeks ago. I'm not into guns at all but it sure was a pretty piece.
weapons.
had an AK47 and some other assault rifle that I can't ever remember what kind it was. But christ, is was friggin huge...had one o' them handles on top that flops down when ya ain't carryin it...some Czech or Hungarian rifle I think...
It was pretty damn intimidating actually...but the kick wasn't that bad though.
I like target practice, but I'm definitely against assault weapons.
Nobody needs assault weapons, unless they want to get into a shoot-out with the police or the feds.
Or as a paranoid republican told me...I bought my AK47 for the day the Government goes bad on us.
"assault weapons" when they are functionally no different than any other semi-auto?
but not for monetary gain...to protect me and mine from the teabaggers!
Anarchy is the radical ultra left, fascism is the radical ultra right- yet there is an odd contradiction in the right wing- They want fascism that forces their beliefs and bigotries- yet want zero restrictions when it comes to owning guns- because when discussing guns, they suddenly become anarchists and don't trust the government....
Could be proof the radical right and the radical left go full circle at some point.....Or perhaps the right wing are just whackjobs...
they know the amount of crap and abuse they got away with when they were in power. Since they seem unable to operate unless they are projecting, these conservative freaks expect liberals to do perform the same abuses as the conservative "Revolution" brought unto us for the past decade. And thus their communal freak out.
The funny thing? There are almost no liberals in power right now. Alas, that does not stop these reactionary idiots from their inane MO.
Since that was the path Bush was headed for...
If in power, the right would embrace fascism, but since WE are now in power, the right just assumes we would follow their fascist path as well...
This is how the right thinks- they can't think outside of their box of hatred, or their desire to kill and oppress...
These freaks think they're brave men and women defending the American Way. In reality, though, they're the biggest pussies, since their entire modus operandi is based on fear.
Why don't they show some of that bravery by going to George Bush's war in Iraq?
Notice how most hunters HIDE BEHIND TREES when they shoot herbavores like deer? I have a cousin who thinks he's king sh*t because he can use his high power scope rife to shoot a deer...If a hunter wants to impress me- hunt a bear with your bare hands..
Likewise, these right wing fascist militia groups think they are badasses because they carry the means to kill people
Who exactly are these people with all the guns and ammo planning to shoot?
but liberals, too, if we get uppity
Mexerkins!
I'm liberal and I can get a little uppity sometimes. Guess I better forget buying a gun and instead buy some body armor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V08dpDHp4XU&fe...
Gee, that would be a shame..
That's what they have armor piercing bullets for.
They want to shoot anyone, regardless of race or religion, who doesn't agree with them.
Guns are for people who can't FIGHT.
for anyone but myself. And I don't have that many firearms unfortunately, I can't afford them. And ammo is hard to find at the moment. But all I plan to shoot is pieces of paper and perhaps some game animals.
Kinda like with Hummers...
though...you are right about the Hummers though, lol!
Damn right woody
They have to have the tooling replaced ever so often because it wears out. That could put the buyer in serious danger if it's not replaced often.
But I think any gun owner right now is considering a purchse. I know I am. I keep hearing about gun sales going up and my interest continues to climb for many reasons, among them:
1) The fact that rightwing whackaloons are arming themselves to the teeth, and I feel safer doing likewise
2) Demand is driving a shortage on some models
3) The recent mass shootings just make me want to spend more time on a range, and I need something more accurate than my old Colt .45 (not the most accurate shooter, at least my shortened Combat Commander 1911)
That's what I'm screamin!
Very high quality, but not cheap.
A lot of these folks are acutely, if only tacitly, aware of the crimes committed by the White/Majority against the non-White/minority for the last 400 years...
While they feel no especial guilt about it, they're also acutely conscious that, had they or their ancestors been treated in a like manner, they'd be out for the blood and plunder of the victimizers. they'd shoot on sight, and cannot imagine that anyone else could react differently...
What do you suppose is going to happen to all these weapons when the Rapture ,Armageddon, or the total collapse of society doesn't take place? My guess is these things will flood into the streets at pennies on the dollar. What a comforting thought.
We'll melt them all down and make something pretty out of them.
your joking, there are some very pretty firearms out there.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0...
Tell me that isn't a work of art.
A presidential election makes these nutters wet their beds. Why just imagine what a real crisis would do to em. Better stock up on diapers too. David Vitter has a couple of cases in his basement already.
Tough times, a democratic White House and Congress, and a propaganda machine of right wing nut cakes stirring up fear and hatred sure brings out the crazies.
We are such a nation of f*cking idiots.
I wonder if the gun shops are encouraging this by hyping the numbers. I mean if they tell you everyone else is armed to the teeth and have enough ammo to shoot every atom on earth, wouldn't that make people say shit, maybe I need some guns and ammo too. And the circle would continue with the only persons benefiting being the gun shop owners.
This is sort of like they sold the Hummer. The meanest toughest safest car on the road. So a whole lot of people thought they needed the meanest toughest safest car on the road. Now who is smiling? The guys who sold those Hummers at the dealership
..right to the small arms manufacturers and the NRA.
Hype is probably part of the increase.. I just wonder about the best way of calming things, it is obviously not healthy for this to be happening.. my kneejerk is to at least reinstate the assault weapon ban but I'm not sure that is the best way.. just living in a society that behaves this way is oppressive and disheartening
i've wondered if/how this movement fits into the theory of guns,germs and steel. with this topic i find it challenging to understand why the compromise of regulation of gun shows and assault weapons is a problem. obama is NOT going to take peoples' guns. this is more fear mongering on the right to rally the troops. when you look deeper it's to get voices ready for special interests in the name of capitalism vs. socialism. the tea baggers/the gun people are getting stirred up to fight healthCare. it may seem far fetched it's just a thought. some of these people may need/want a single payer healthCare system but when you include guns and their right to have a gun they take a side. when they take that side... it's all in. they will go against their own best interest. it's almost like special interests/wallStreet have their own militia.
The government is unlikely to take away guns from American citizens in a mass scale. Why would they do that, when simply making the ammunition unavailable is so much easier? (California has already started doing this.)
My advice, is to completely disarm yourself, trust the Federal Government, and put 911 on speed dial if you makes you feel any safer.
involves give and take on both sides. And why do "assault weapons" need regulation? They are no different from any other semi-auto except cosmetically, and the "gun show loophole" is private sellers, the average joe selling to the average joe, or do you want to make it illegal for a person to sell his own property to another? Dealers are required to conduct a nics check every time they sell a gun, whether at their store, a gun show, or out of their trunk at a gas station. And actually I do know a guy that had that happen to him, he bought a firearm off a classified add on a forum, meet the guy at a gas station and filled out the forms and the dealer called it in on his cell phone.
These asshole, Reslug gun freaks with tons of firearms are the ones that felons love to break into to steal from. Can't be home all the time.
generally keep them in a safe.
Just sayin'. :-)
I believe it was at the tea party at the Alamo yesterday, someone was carrying a sign that said, "We came unarmed this time" Sort of suggested that they would be armed next time. What are they going to do have a protest and fu*king shoot each other?
Well done. Check it out.
MSNBC Video: ATF Faces Of With NRA In Growing Gun Debate
Notice how neither side mentions that drug prohibition is at the root of the problem?
partially honest, did you notice that he stressed traced? The Mexican Gov hands over less than half of the serial numbers/guns to the US to trace of those less than half are traceable, the percent of guns seized that are traceable to the US is something like 17%, and that includes firearms that were stolen/sold by Mexican army deserters. That were sold to them by the US gov.
I have my house surrounded with Claymore mines, concertina wire and punji sticks. I soaked the sticks at a rally here in my hometown.
Gotta go now. I'm burying my guns and money in the back yard.
Are you trying to keep something in, or keep something out?
haven't decided yet. I have to wait on my wonderful gov., Perry.
I much prefer Thai Sticks.
What do you soak your Thai Sticks in?
Coke.
Haven't had them since 'Nam. Mostly chopsticks now.
I love pretzel sticks.
I thought Obama was supposed to have been wrong when he said they cling to their guns.
a meathead when he sees one
My husband and I have talked recently about putting a security system in our home. Our neighborhood is changing and sadly it isn't for the good. So many of the vacant houses have been broken into and I'm fairly sure at least a couple of the homes have several people living in them. They appear to be mostly men who are just squatting in the homes. They have no cars and just wander around the neighborhood during the day.
The neighborhood used to be families young and old and from all races and nationalities. No one was fearful of anyone. Everyone spoke and waved as they drove by. Now there are a few of those families left in the area. On average I would say about every third house is sitting empty and looking pitiful. Paranoia begins to set in when you don't know who is living near you, where they came from, and how long they will be there. They appear overnight and may any day be gone. They have no furniture so I guess they are sleeping on the floor.
One house had some men living in it and then they were gone. I guess the owner of the house got word from the city that he had to mow the lawn (which was now just weeds) You should have seen the stuff he dragged out of his house and to the street. There were filthy clothes, spoiled food, nasty thin mattresses, and other stuff too gross to talk about.
So yeah we are thinking about protecting our home, but not by shooting someone.
Do you have or think you'll need to have bars over the windows?
Hell no! I would never put myself in jail. I want nothing like that. We are thinking of an alarm system. I am here alone much of the time and my only defense is my 6.9 pound little dog. He does bark when he hears strange noises. That's helpful.
I don't know what you meant by "pretty sad", but it makes me sad as hell to look at these homes and remember the families who used to live there, decorate their front lawns during holidays, stop when they drove by to chat. I wonder where are they now and how are they getting by.
House has been broken into four times in the last six months. He has a security system and the same story is true every time. The security company calls to tell him to meet the police at his house. He gets there to find out the police have gotten there too late. A police report and a locksmith to repair the kicked in door are the order of the day. I wonder what would happend if someone was home at the time. Get a gun and take classes to learn how to use one safely. Just my advice.
it's "pretty sad" how quickly your neighborhood went from being what sounds like an ideal one to one that causes you to be concerned for your safety. I hope it starts turning around for you.
Probably not a chihuahua, but it doesn't have to be a pit bull either.
Two months ago I adopted a two year old Yorkie from a rescue group. As I said before, he's little but he does bark when he should to let me know he hears something that I may not hear. I got him as my companion and for the fun he adds to our lives. I would defend him before I would defend the "things" in my home.
We have a friend who has an alarm company. He has been offering us a deal for twenty years and this is the first time we have ever considered taking him up on it.
Installing a home security system is the safe thing to do, but stockpiling guns for self-preservation is right-wing paranoia.
Am i wrong, or am i wrong, or am i wrong?
Getting a single firearm for home security is far from "stockpiling guns". My grandparents kept and used firearms at the land they owned in the country. You may call it paranoia but running into a rattlesnake while feeding the animals and not having protection is well to put it kindly not a good idea. So does that make my grandmother a right wing extremist?
Your grandmother sounds like a cool lady. I would not consider her a right wing extremist, but im sure there are a few Rattlesnakes out there who would beg to differ... ha!
She was a straight shooter excuse the pun coulden't help myself. I wonder sometimes what she would think about what her country has turned out to be. Point is I believe in firearms for protection and I don't think it makes me a nut or a crackpot and yes I bet there are lots of "snakes" here that don't agree. So what.
May I humbly recommend a lab/rottweiler mix? Friendly, loyal, great with kids, and a bark that should send shivers down the spine of any would-be intruder. Plus, a great buddy for your Yorkie!
I'd name the Yorkie "Zeus" and the rottweiler mix "Fluffy," but that's just me :)
But I like your idea of the mix - rotty's can have health problems that probably result from to much inbreeding over time. Our dog was the sweetest you could imagine but could be quite an intimidating beast when she got her hackles up (didn't happen very often).
two dogs. A little one to make a lot of noise and a bigger one (40-50 lbs. is big enough) to be convincing this is not a house you want to mess with.
The Yorkie's name is, Martini. I guess if I got a big dog I could name him Shaker.
.
dem big rocket grenade type thingy's to protect me and ma family from the riff raff I'm seein walkin round ma neighborhood?
in camo wit one of dem lazor thingy magiguus.
you'll take just about anything you can get your hands on, even if it's a lit stick of dynamite.
These people spend more money on guns than they do on gas, food and clothing. Fear is a terrible motivator :-(
How many Harley Davidson shirts, and camo pants do they need?
And with all their beer and nachos they have food and gas covered.
Actually a good idea. I was talking to guy at a local gun shop a few days back, inquiring about an SKS. He said today they go for $300-500, but before, they were going from $150-200, then supply from Yugoslavia dried up and the rifle's value here more than doubled in some instances. I asked if it would be harder to get one later, supply issues or otherwise, he said no.
But not everyone who owns guns are on the lunatic fringe. I own a couple since I'm a history buff, and they're fun to take to the range for day.
Am I pro 2nd-Amendment? yes
Am I a right wing loon? No, I'm actually well educated with a degree from a university in SAN FRANCISCO
Do I think Obama will take my rifles away? No.
...........if the entire firearms industry could retool to produce something far more constructive?
This is a sad commentary on our society. Automatic weapons and hand guns serve one purpose only. Think about a society where no one owned guns of any kind........would not eliminate violence, but it would certainly reduce it!
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