America armed, but guns not necessarily loaded

[IDemo]

Gun enthusiasts claim Obama's election is fueling demand for guns, ammo

AP -updated 2:59 p.m. MT, Wed., Sept . 23, 2009

METAIRIE, La. - Bullet-makers are working around the clock, seven days a week, and still can’t keep up with the nation’s demand for ammunition.

Shooting ranges, gun dealers and bullet manufacturers say they have never seen such shortages. Bullets, especially for handguns, have been scarce for months because gun enthusiasts are stocking up on ammo, in part because they fear President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress will pass antigun legislation — even though nothing specific has been proposed and the president last month signed a law allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks.

Gun sales spiked when it became clear Obama would be elected a year ago and purchases continued to rise in his first few months of office. The FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System reported that 6.1 million background checks for gun sales were issued from January to May, an increase of 25.6 percent from the same period the year before.

“That is going to cause an upswing in ammunition sales,” said Larry Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association representing about 5,000 members. “Without bullets a gun is just a paper weight.”

Just wondering, do they make an AKKK-47? :crazy:

[rwheeler31]

1. Dipshit gun lovers cause a panic. Then bitch about the

prices.

[benEzra]

16. No, a dipshit starts a big war that constricts ammo supplies in the early 2000's,

and a different dipshit decides to confiscate lawfully possessed guns and ammo during a natural disaster in 2005 (leading to hedging), other dipshits keep introducing bills in Congress to bottleneck ammo supply and distribution, yet other dipshits advocate the halting of ammunition imports and bulk sales, and Wall Street dipshits tank the dollar and thereby drive raw-material prices through the roof. It was a perfect storm even before gun sales took off around the election.

I do reserve the right to bitch and moan about prices, because my disposable income is rather limited.

[benEzra]

17. No, a dipshit starts a big war that constricts ammo supplies in the early 2000's,

and a different dipshit decides to confiscate lawfully possessed guns and ammo during a natural disaster in 2005 (leading to hedging), other dipshits keep introducing bills in Congress to bottleneck ammo supply and distribution, yet other dipshits advocate the halting of ammunition imports and bulk sales, and Wall Street dipshits tank the dollar and thereby drive raw-material prices through the roof. It was a perfect storm even before gun sales took off around the election.

I do reserve the right to bitch and moan about prices, because my disposable income is rather limited.

[virgogal]

2. I'm from Eastern MA and find the whole gun culture astonishing.

Who are these people anyway?

[Treo]

4. We are

Your co-workers, your neighbors, fellow parishioners at your local church, Likely about half the people on your street own a gun that's who we are

[benEzra]

15. My wife is originally from Cambridge, and owns a 9mm pistol and a 7.62mm rifle.

"These people" are your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and fellow DU'ers. I had a couple of roommates from Massachusetts in college my sophomore year, and both of them owned guns as well (I think they were from central MA, a little off the turnpike).

[virgogal]

19. Guess I'd better get out of my bubble and mingle more. n/t

[-..__...]

21. You need to get out of the house more often

What does "I'm from Eastern MA" have to do with your being "astonished"?

I've lived in or around Boston for 53 years and I've owned firearms for 34 of those years.

There are at least a dozen ranges inside the 128 area as well as many gun stores (even one in the liberal bastion of Cambridge).

One of the more popular gun shops (in Woburn), is always packed on Saturdays and is constantly busy during the rest of the week (and it was that way long before the Obama gun buying frenzy).

Nothing to be "astonished" about. The "gun culture" in MA is alive and well and thriving despite the bed-wetting efforts of the gun grabbers in the legislature and city government.

[virgogal]

29. See my post # 19. :-)

[RagAss]

25. The gun makers in your neighboring state of Connecticut.

Many of whom are good Union Dems...but business is business.

[armyowalgreens]

3. I tried to buy a tactical Mossberg 500 a month ago and every place was sold out.

Mossberg was on backorder.


These people are going crazy.

[spin]

6. I'm currently considering buying a Stoeger side by side coachgun...

for home defense.

Simple and easy to use, 20 inch barrels and 36 inches overall.

The biggest drawback is only two shots, however with practice reloads can be very quick. Also if two barrels of 00 buck doesn't stop the zombies, the disadvantage is too large.

Gun-test magazine has tested coach guns against tactical shotguns several times and they have found the coach gun a better weapon except for the capacity.

a link to the article but you have to be a subscriber to read the entire thing.

http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/20_5/features/Home-Defense-and-Police-Shotguns5609-1.html

Here's a discussion of the article on Glock Talk in which both sides are presented.

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=932916

[armyowalgreens]

10. hmmm that is an interesting buy. But I found a tactical used for 370.

I like having the extra capacity.



edited: I did not buy the used tactical. I waited because I am dumb.

[spin]

33. I did buy the Stoeger Coach Gun ...

I stopped by the gun store today and bought the 12 gauge model.

The wood looked good, the double barrels broke open with little effort and the trigger pull on both triggers was reasonable for a defense weapon.

In my research on the net, many people had problems in these areas with Stoeger Coach guns. They were able to correct these problems by a little gunsmithing. I feel that this particular weapon avoided these problems.

I bought the blue steel model as I felt the nickel finish looked tacky.

I hope to take it out soon and see how this light, short shotgun works. I expect that it will RECOIL with 00 buck. Therefore I ordered a recoil pad.

[aikoaiko]

32. boom stick.

not exactly the same, but close enough for fun

[spin]

34. It's not a great firearm for hunting or skeet shooting...

but it might be a good self defense weapon.

[armyowalgreens]

9. .

.

[doc03]

5. Think about it, that isn't any tremendous increase in

gun sales. There were 6.1 million background checks for gun sales issued from January to May a 25.6% increase. That is an increase of around 1.2 million over the same period last year. The last I have heard the NRA has 3 or 4 million members so even if they were all NRA members that is only one more gun per every 3 or 4 members. The supply of guns and ammo has started to catch up with demand the last few weeks. The NRA and the Republicans scared people to death about a Democrat taking their guns away, there was bound to be some increase.

[G_j]

7. Doesn't it just make you feel all warm inside?

to know bullet makers are working 24/7, to make 50 gazillion bullets?

****

Happiness (is a warm gun)
Bang Bang Shoot Shoot
Happiness (is a warm gun, momma)
Bang Bang Shoot Shoot

(When I hold you in my arms)
Oooooooooh, oh yeah!

And when I feel my finger on your trigger
Oooooooooh, oh yeah!

I know nobody can do me no harm
Oooooooooh, oh yeah!

Happiness (is a warm gun, momma)
Bang Bang Shoot Shoot

Happiness (is a warm gun)
Bang Bang Shoot Shoot

Yes it is, gun!
Happiness (is a warm gun)
Bang Bang Shoot Shoot

Happiness (is a warm gun)
is a warm gun, yeeeaahhh!

[Treo]

8. actually the number is something like one billion rounds sold since the election. NT

[G_j]

12. too bad the manufacturers couldn't quite keep up

with the demand


:wow:

[Treo]

13. Something to think about

If you add up all the figures the BATFE estimates something like 10 million guns have been sold in this country since last November. If you were buying a new gun ( just go W/ me here) wouldn't you want a box or two of ammunition to go W/it? 2 boxes = 100 rounds times 10 million there a big chunk of your billion rounds I don't have much more than a thousand rounds per gun

[G_j]

18. I understand

and in all respect to responsible gun owners, I just find the concept of that many bullets in America, mind boggling. What is it about our culture that we have the need for so many bullets? Are they all for target practice? People site home defense, a thousand rounds would be anticipating a mighty battle, I suppose. But that would seem like paranoia?

I know, bullets don't kill people, a bullet that comes out of a gun, fired by a human being, kills people.
So what is the weak link there? Human beings, of course. :scared:

So, with regards, and respect for the sane and responsible gun owners among us, it's hard for me not want to make fun of the bullet and gun obsession in America. A few million at least of those bullets are probably in the hands of assholes.

[Treo]

23. You do not ever want to see the inside of a U.S. Army Munitions depot

since I have a rifle that shoots 5.56 NATO I used to drool every time I had to sign for ammunition for a range.

[TxRider]

26. They are cheaper by the case, case = 1000 rounds.

It's not like they spoil or anything...

I generally buy a 1000rd case when I get down to about 200rds for a gun.

I use about 100rds each time I go practice, which is just often enough to keep decent skills.

That and ya never know when some president is going to ban ammunition imports etc.

[felon]

31. not really. Its mostly for time at the range

my son & I can dump 1000 rounds at the range in a few hours.

[benEzra]

14. 9 billion, IIRC.

A normal year is about 7 billion rounds, I think.

[TxRider]

11. Sure does, at least someone out there has secure job.

And likely hiring going on.

[aikoaiko]

20. The rush is subsiding and ammo is starting to appear more and more on shelves

Prices started going up in the early and mid 2000s with the war and increased prices of raw materials, but the demand kept increasing after Obama was elected and took office.

It didn't help that Obama campaigned on banning very popular guns in popular configurations and Holder and Clinton talking about reauthorizing that ban.


eta: I feel sorry for the .380 folks - not much going on for you.

[-..__...]

27. Putting it in perspective...

just a random sampling (keeping in mind these were online prices delivered. Much better prices could be found at gun shows, stores and other online competitors)...

2009...

223 / 5.56 - 55 GRAIN FMJ
FULL METAL JACKET
MADE BY PRIVI PARTIZAN IN SERBIA
$389.00 1,000 rounds


45 AUTO FEDERAL JHP 230 GRAIN
JACKETED HOLLOW POINT
$259- 500 rounds.


7.62x39 RUSSIAN WOLF JHP
$259.00 1,000 rounds


9mm FEDERAL 115 GRAIN FMJ
AMERICAN EAGLE
$189.00 500 rounds


http://www.ammoman.com/index.htm


2001...


223 LAKE CITY XM193 55GR
$199.00 1,000 rounds.



45 FEDERAL 230GR. FMJ
RED BOX AMERICAN EAGLE
$129.00 500 rounds


7.62x39 RUSSIAN WOLF
FULL METAL JACKET
$109.00 1,000 rounds



9mm FEDERAL 115GR. FMJ
AMERICAN EAGLE
$79.00 500 rounds


http://web.archive.org/web/20001120061000/http://ammoman.com/index.html


Looking back, I regret not having stockpiled when the supply was there and the prices were affordable (and there even better bargains
such as the South African battle packs).

[aikoaiko]

30. I regret not stockpiling as well. The gun folks in the know warned us to stack it "high and deep"

but I didn't expect prices to double in a few years. Those SA battle backs (which I have a couple of) will never be seen again.

[MadHound]

22. Think of it as part of Obama's economic stimulation plan

He's keeping one sector of the economy well into the black, always a good thing.

These people are going to feel foolish here in a few years after their worst fears fail to materialize and they're stuck with a few dozen guns and a few thousand rounds of ammo.

[Treo]

24. No they won't

You can never have too much ammunition. that's just that many more range trips they can do W/ out having to hit Wal Mart.

[aikoaiko]

28. "stuck with a few dozen guns and a few thousand rounds of ammo"

No gun owner is ever "stuck" with guns or ammo.