Gun Buying Spikes
Barack Obama tried to assure gun owners that there was no need to run out and buy guns in advance of him taking office. Gun buyers, however, were not buying what Obama had to say. Sales are way, way up.
“I believe in common-sense gun safety laws, and I believe in the second amendment,” Obama said at a news conference. “Lawful gun owners have nothing to fear. I said that throughout the campaign. I haven’t indicated anything different during the transition. I think people can take me at my word.”
But National Rifle Association spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said it’s not Obama’s words — but his legislative track record — that has gun-buyers flocking to the stores.
“Prior to his campaign for president, his record as a state legislator and as a U.S. Senator shows he voted for the most stringent forms of gun control, the most Draconian legislation, gun bans, ammunition bans and even an increase in federal excise taxes up to 500 percent for every gun and firearm sold,” Arulanandam said.
Background checks jumped by 49 percent in the week Obama won the election. I can tell you that I was trying to buy a spare magazine for my normal carry pistol and ended up talking with a gun store owner in North Carolina. He was swamped with customers. (I eventually found a spare magazine locally, even though my carry piece has been out of production for a number of years.)
I also bought a Bushmaster. I figured it might become hard to buy soon, it being an “ugly gun”. I hope I’m wrong, but I suspect I am not. It appears that a very large number of people have the same suspicion. Despite Obama’s assurances.
By John in Dublin Califorina, December 8, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
About two weeks ago, I went to pick up additional ammunition from one of the few gun shops left in the area. My fear was sharply increased taxes on ammo. I own only for self defense, nothing else. When I got to the shop, I had to take a number, and had to stand on line outside the store for almost 45 minutes. Any other time I had gone there, I was usually the only customer. They were swamped. Asking others why they were there, here, in bluest of blue California, the response was unanimous: “We’re gonna need these soon.”
There is a very real fear out there about the incoming administration.