Post by Woody Williams on Oct 31, 2008 7:49:56 GMT -5
www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=73452§ionid=3510203
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:30:19 GMT
US gun sales booming
Americans are on a gun-buying spree amid concerns of a falling economy and fears of restricted gun rights if Barack Obama is elected.
While Americans are spending less on buying cars, furniture and clothes they have spent 8 to 10 percent more on firearms and ammunition this year, state and federal data suggests, according to a Washington Post article published Monday.
Uncertainties over a bad economy and the idea that if Senator Obama is elected as the US President he will pursue an anti-gun policy have fueled a boost in gun sales across the US.
"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.
Industry sources and experts, on the other hand, believe the worsening of economy has resulted in fears of crime and civil disorder, something that contributes to more gun sales.
"Generally, we know that hard economic times always result in firearm sales," said James M. Purtilo of Silver Spring, who publishes the Tripwire Newsletter.
There are several examples over the years that the gun market in the US has been thriving.
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.
"People are preparing for catastrophe right now," said Leyshion, 55, of Nokesville. "It's insurance. With the stock market crash and people out of work, and the illegal aliens in this area, the probability of civil disorder is very high."
The number of gun owners in the US is 80,000,000, according to statistics. In 2004, 36.5% of Americans reported having a gun in their home.
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:30:19 GMT
US gun sales booming
Americans are on a gun-buying spree amid concerns of a falling economy and fears of restricted gun rights if Barack Obama is elected.
While Americans are spending less on buying cars, furniture and clothes they have spent 8 to 10 percent more on firearms and ammunition this year, state and federal data suggests, according to a Washington Post article published Monday.
Uncertainties over a bad economy and the idea that if Senator Obama is elected as the US President he will pursue an anti-gun policy have fueled a boost in gun sales across the US.
"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.
Industry sources and experts, on the other hand, believe the worsening of economy has resulted in fears of crime and civil disorder, something that contributes to more gun sales.
"Generally, we know that hard economic times always result in firearm sales," said James M. Purtilo of Silver Spring, who publishes the Tripwire Newsletter.
There are several examples over the years that the gun market in the US has been thriving.
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.
"People are preparing for catastrophe right now," said Leyshion, 55, of Nokesville. "It's insurance. With the stock market crash and people out of work, and the illegal aliens in this area, the probability of civil disorder is very high."
The number of gun owners in the US is 80,000,000, according to statistics. In 2004, 36.5% of Americans reported having a gun in their home.
