U.S. gun sales way, way up after Obama's re-election
During his Oct. 16 debate with Mitt Romney, U.S. President Barack Obama had this to say about gun control:
“What I’m trying to do is to get a broader conversation about how do we reduce the violence generally. Part of it is seeing if we can get an assault weapons ban reintroduced.”
Whuh-oh. To a certain portion of the Yankee population, those final four words were akin to the Great Hand of Government coming down, ready to snatch away their American freedom.
Indeed, many gun lovers have been spooked. In the run-up to Obama’s re-election, with the threat of a Democrat’s changing arms laws in the U.S., American gun sales have shot through the roof.
Back in 1994, Bill Clinton introduced restrictions on semi-automatic weapons in America, prohibiting excessive weapons with threaded barrels, pistol grips and bayonets.
*Bing: How much does an AK-47 cost?
But those sanctions expired in 2004, and Obama’s debate comments last month perhaps gave the clearest sense that the president, who has nothing left to campaign for now, might go through with new laws against assault rifles.
Surely, gun lovers see the writing on the wall. Once more, the prospect of four years under Barack Obama has spurned gun sales to soar through the roof.
Last month, the number of background checks on people applying to buy guns – an indicator, of course, of future sales – surged by nearly 20 per cent in the U.S. According to the Telegraph newspaper, a similar jump happened in the months before Obama was first elected back in 2008.
“We’re going from normally six to eight guns a day (sold), to 25,” said one Colorado Springs gun shop owner. “I stocked up. I got a stockpile of these AK-47s, we’re selling these like hot cakes. Luckily I had an idea of what was going on because it happened with Clinton.”
Added a New York gun shop owner: “Sales are up. I had a guy waiting here first thing in the morning (after the election). He came in, bought two AK-47s. It’s going to be good for me for business.”
As a Canadian, it’s quite remarkable any assault rifle like an AK-47 could be legally purchased, but such is the case in the U.S., where a Democrat’s election to the Oval Office – just months after the deadly Dark Knight Rises theatre shooting – could actually boost the stock of America’s top gun makers.
According to the Telegraph, shares in weapons manufacturers like Smith & Wesson and Sturm have also jumped in value since Obama’s re-election.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: SP | Nov 14, 2021 4:28:22 AM
A country increasingly divided, heading towards a massive fiscal crunch, awash with guns in the hands of paranoid people.
Can't see any way at all this could end badly...
Posted by: Mr. Negative | Nov 14, 2021 9:55:36 AM
In my opinion, guns are for killing things - not trophies. If you have a gun, there is a good chance you are going to use it. Very scary!
Posted by: Chester | Nov 14, 2021 1:30:05 PM
Ya probly will for hunting or recreation whats wrong with that Mr Negative? This author is obviously an idiot because you can own an AK-47 in Canada, granted you have to be granfathered in, you can also own an M16 and M16 varients. I like SP's reasoning on the same line Americans didnt burn their country to the ground or start shooting at eachother indescriminantly during an increasing devided Great Depression paranoid about communists and nazi germany 1930's era did they ya think not, there were just as many guns back than as there are today, its uneducated liberals that will walk around and spout out how bad guns are and that we should get rid of guns without ever having shot one owned one or seen one in person. Guns are not the problem people who abuse them/criminals are the problem, responsible gun owners/hunters have respect for guns respect them and use them safelty and appropriately as a tool.
Posted by: Tim | Nov 14, 2021 1:51:59 PM
One of the Main Reasons why Russia never attacked the US was the fact that its population was so well armed. I dont believe guns in the US are a problem rather people who inapropriately or dangerously use them are the problem .Guns are perhaps the most domineering force in American History from its first moments as a fledgling nation, to its darkest moments as a nation divided, it has bolstored a nation secured a nation, tamed the west, won wars and made it into the super power it is today. Guns owned by civilians is arguably Americas 4th branch of government after Executive, Legislative and Judicial, it gives the common American a power that few other nations allow their civilian populace, the power to protect their rights and freedoms from anyone who wishes to take those rights and freedoms away (even if its their own government). People who bash those who firmly believe in their second amendment rights are somewhat nieve ask yourself, would a country like China be Communist if its populace was armed...would countries like Syria put up with despotic dictators if they were armed? Id infaticly answer No to these. The first thing Communists did in Russia was to disarm their populace, thus giving them no free choice or way to defend themselves at the end of the day no government should be trusted and the gun although flawed is the Great Equalizer.
Posted by: Richard | Nov 14, 2021 4:57:12 PM
@Chester
You use an AK-47 for hunting??? Excuse me, but that sounds pretty retarded.
And what kind of "recreation" are we talking about? If it's target shooting, you sure as hell don't need an AK-47 for that. A regular rifle will do fine. If it's collecting, try coins and model trains, instead.
@Tim
People like you are certifiable. You don't trust your own government? You don't trust your own police? You don't trust your military? In what sense are you living in a country???
Posted by: Aleks | Nov 14, 2021 4:59:21 PM
AK-47s, M16s and its variants are used for WAR. Someone please explain to me why it is necessary for a civilian to personally own an AK-47?! I've shot them - it's a little scary if you've never shot a gun before. I see no reason to have that in mine or anyone else's personal possession unless you intend on murdering a human being. I have no problem with sound, moral person's owning guns, but I'm pretty confident that the majority of people who are going out and buying multiple assault rifles are not doing so with a sound mind. I can't wait to hear about all of the massacres that will inevitably happen in the next four years in the US (obviously at the hands of these "respectable" people who are buying multiples of weapons). So glad I'm Canadian.
Also - since when did Liberals become uneducated? Am I supposed to believe the overwhelming population of Yankee Rednecks are more educated than a liberal?? I beg to differ.
Posted by: kevin | Nov 14, 2021 9:23:46 PM
most of the population in america are responsible gun owners,like any numbers game there are gonna be a few sick pups.the reason america is armed is because of the brits who abused the populace in the 1700s,problem is the government runs the military the populace cannot stand up to this with ak47s,just let them have their fun,paranoid or not.recreational shooting is fun no matter what the weapon of choice is.
Posted by: DeceitinDrugs | Nov 15, 2021 10:26:58 AM
I would say, people have a right to protect
themselves,if government is not working to
reduce the risks assoc. with crime, esp. drug
related crime.
However, there comes a point, when "powerful
guns" get into the wrong hands time and time
agan, people need to work with gov't to reduce
the risks not continue to do the same thing and
let the promblem perpetuate.
Bottom line: Guns kill and it is time for Gov't
to get control of the illegal gun trade in the US.
Posted by: Mr. Negative | Nov 16, 2021 8:02:40 AM
Chester, the problem is we are producing guns for other things than hunting. Ak 47's are used to hunt people not animals. Also, look at it this way, would you have to buy a gun to protect yourself if every other person didn't have one? I am all for huntinig, but hand guns, assault rifles, ninja stars etc are not for hunting. (from my understanding they use shotguns and cross bows)
Posted by: Retard | Nov 16, 2021 9:00:08 AM
Hey mr. negative, how does a 5'2 60 year old man defend himself against a 6'2 20 year old in a home invasion, if he calls the police, assuming the house invader lets him, he could be dead or penniless by the time the police arrive, where is his dignity. Not all men are created equally, we have individual strengths and weaknesses, a 5'2 60 year old man cannot defeat a 6'2 20 year old in a fight, the gun gives him a fighting chance. God created man, Samuel Colt made them equal.
Posted by: Doug | Nov 16, 2021 1:15:42 PM
As a Canadian, I don't worry too much about being shot, but when I visit America, the thought is in my mind. The NRA always likes to say that , "Guns don't kill people; people kill peaple.". That may have some truth to it but they do enable a person to kill another person from 100 yards.
Retard, and you may be, your 6' 2 20 year old is probably armed with a gun, otherwise the coward may not be invading the little guy's home. Advantage back to the 20 year old kid.