2/5/2009 10:31:00 PM Run on gun sales: Fear of Second Amendment constraints spurs gun-buying
Les Stukenberg/The Daily Courier
Brad DeSaye, president of J&G Sales, holds a Hungarian AMD-63 semi-automatic rifle in his Prescott retail store on Thursday.
Les Stukenberg/The Daily Courier
A Hungarian AK-47 semi-automatic rifle is for sale at The American Gun Shop in Prescott.
Gun shop owners, firearm manufacturers and distributors are on target these days.
Some consumers - fearing that some firearms like AR-15 rifles will soon become illegal to buy - are flocking to stores.
And that concern is giving gun businesses a shot in the arm.
Bryan Tucker, chief executive officer and owner of wholesale gun distributor Davidson's Inc., said sales began climbing around mid-October to early November 2008. Demand for the firearms with 10-round magazine capacity and greater, along with handguns and rifles was so dramatic that Tucker added 20 employees late this past year.
"I think the influx right now is folks are just worried, they just want to make sure that in case something comes about like a ban, they could get what they need," he said.
Ken Jorgensen, director of media relations for Sturm Ruger & Co., said the gun maker, which has a factory in Prescott, saw an increase in orders for its firearms including semiautomatic rifles and pistols, double-action revolvers and pistols.
Jorgensen said it's really any type of defensive weapon and those that have higher capacity magazines.
And Jorgensen believes some people feel a legitimate concern that another bill restricting their gun rights could hit again as it did when President Bill Clinton signed the assault weapons ban into law in 1994.
"I think there are people concerned that we may see a repeat of that," he said.
Over at High Noon Indoor Shooting Parlour in Prescott Valley, Bob Allen said 2008 October and November sales were better than the same month's sales in 2007.
Brad DeSaye, president of J & G Sales in Prescott, said business jumped "substantially" in late October.
"November was by far the largest month we've had ever, by 60 percent," he said.
Allen and DeSaye both point to President Barack Obama and Democratic control of the House and Senate as playing a major role in gun and ammunition sales.
People are worried that Obama will impose stringent gun control laws that could include gun and ammunition bans and a possible increase the federal excise taxes as much as 500 percent for all gun and firearm sales.
Obama has said numerous times that he supports Second Amendment rights and will not crack down on gun owners.
But gun rights advocates, including the National Rifle Association aren't buying it and point to Obama's legislative record in Illinois and remarks he made during the 2008 primaries. In fact, DeSaye attributes 100 percent of the sales bump to Obama.
DeSaye says people are fearful that Obama will stop imports of all firearms, firearm parts and ammunition. "Obama's paid lip service to the entire Second Amendment," he said. "I think that's a well-grounded fear, not just speculation."
Retailers are reporting that people are buying a wide range of self-defense guns and ammunition. "We've seen an uptick in every single item. The majority of the increase has been focused on any item that may be potentially banned," DeSaye said.
Charly Gullett, at The American Gunshop in Prescott, said in late 2008, business was off for about the previous 18 months. "We were no more immune from the recession than anybody else was," he said.
But Gullett categorizes October and November sales as "normal" and anything but gangbusters.
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Israel will attack Iran very soon. This will begin what is written in the Bible in Ezekiel 38. GOG is Russia, Persia is Iran. The people gathered out of the nations. That is US. Within the next year, PEACE will be taken from the earth.
Posted: Monday, February 09, 2009
Article comment by:
stare
QueenieV's use of the grabber's watchword "common-sense" is troubling. Those idiots are largely responsible for the incredible number of gun control laws in the US. Repeatedly stating the need for common-sense laws has to mean that they recognize that their previous efforts didn't fit that definition. Why would anyone who views previous behavior as the best predictor for future behavior believe that the grabbers have suddenly discovered common-sense among themselves?
The grabbers refuse to confront facts. They routinely lie about virtually everything so far as guns are concerned. To believe in them makes one either incredibly naive, or, more likely, one of them.
Posted: Monday, February 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Fate
A lot of owning a gun for self-defense is just intimidation. I use to live over on Jack Dr (a rather nice, wealthy neighborhood). At around 8:00 one night my friend noticed somebody trying to break into his car. I grabbed my AK and ran outside. The guy took off and I chased him over the side fence. I lost him after that, and never fired a shot. But I knew he'd never be back. Would you rather rob a home full of crying fools, cowering in the house, praying for the police to arrive; or the one who's owners are ready to defend themselves?
Posted: Sunday, February 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Chuck
Dear Nay Sayers, I know you think everyone who believes in the constitution and the second amendment is a gun nut. And the government of the U.S.A. would never hurt its citizens. Please answer a couple of questions for me. The first, is why is FEMA storing 5 hundred thousand plastic caskets, that can hold three bodies in each one, in GEORGIA? Call You congress person, they don't know, maybe you do. Just Google FEMA caskets and look at the pictures of row after row, stacked as high as the sky. Also, please look up HR 645, introduced by congressman Hastings, Which has the support of the progressive caucus,of which 59 democrats have signed onto, that directs the DEPT. OF HOMELAND SECURITY, to build at least 6 permanent detention camps throughout the U.S.A. in case MARTIAL LAW is declared, and to stimulate the economy. Also please look up the presidential order that says the president can declare MARTIAL LAW with the stroke of a pen, for any emergency that he feels it necessary. Then sell any guns you posses, and put up a sign that says, THIS IS A GUN FREE HOME, and God forbid something happens to you. Wait until hyper-inflation hits again like it did when ole Jimmy Carter was president, because the Federal Reserve is printing Notes as fast as they can. By the way the Federal Reserve has nothing to do with the Federal government, It's owned by the Rockafellers, one of which is a U.S. senator. And who can forget the 25-30 Percent interest rates on credit cards, and 14% home loans. I'm a totally disabled veteran of the USMC, drafted by my country, and served in Vietnam. For those who think I'm a nut, good for you, but I've been scared before, It don't hurt to be prepared!!! Those that don't know history are bound to repeat it.
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009
Article comment by:
Citizen
To Sam Adams. I don't see any difference. Bush with his criminals replaced by Obama and his criminals. This is what the people voted for and I guess that is the best this country can produce. You know the party is over.
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009
Article comment by:
SuperSham
Re: Gun Nuts Bilked by Arms Merchandisers
Ditto what you said...All these knuckleheads running out now buying everything they can. I bet a couple years from now a good percentage of what they bought will be for sale..."barely used" I'll be looking for some good deals in a few years...
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009
Article comment by:
Sam Adams
It's a Bill of Rights, not a Bill of Needs. I only hope that when Obama, surrounded by all the criminals that he has nominated so far, signs the confiscation order he has the guts to come himself to collect. I hope he doesn't send soldiers to die for his treason.
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009
Article comment by:
justanazgal
In response to the question "Why do people NEED' assault weapons?: If you have a cell phone, why do you NEED text message capability? More harm is done on a daily basis by those trying to drive a machine capable of killing while talking on a cell phone than any gun. Crimes being perpetrated with assault weapons do not involve law abiding citizens. Please keep the issues clear when you argue with my choice of weapon.
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009
Article comment by:
LCP
QueenieV, you claim to be so educated but your statements are so typically liberal and express your willful ignorance. Yes, Obama has made statements that seem to support the intent of the 2nd Amendment, but how do you resolve the facts that he also has repeatedly said and done the opposite? Do you only listen to the things he says that you like? Is it too difficult to accept the fact that he is being deceptive and a flat-out LIAR? To follow his--and your--twisted concept of "common sense" gun control you have to ignore that part about "shall not be infringed." Don't believe me? Do your own research, try starting at www.Whitehouse.gov and get it from the source. And it IS significant the views of those he appoints because they are the ENFORCERS of the law, or is that part not still in your version of the Constitution? And as we have seen from all past administrations, Enforcement has been selective, politically motivated, and not always Constitutional. You expect this one to be any different?
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009
Article comment by:
Gun Nuts Bilked by Arms Merchandisers
All the gun dummies are running out to purchase weapons and ammo for no reason. A brilliant "scare" marketing scam by weapon manufactures to get the easily influenced, non-critical thinkers to part with their hard earned cash. The high demand has caused the prices to go through the roof, profits are at an all time high! Go for it, set up your very own mini armory, it will help, at least, part of our economy! Put it on your credit card, go into even more debt, the banks will love you as well...
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
My father paid the ultimate price fighting for this country protecting my freedoms - one of which is owning firearms. People are buying guns not only for fear of antigun legislation but also out of fear of a total economic collapse. Guns are not the only things seeing brisk sales. Ammunition, food, medical supplies, camping gear, gold and silver sales have also gone through the roof. Smart people are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. The U.S. dollar is so devalued right now it is doubtful any stimulus package is going to save our economy as the U.S. can't even pay the interest on the money it owes. Foreign countries are not buying U.S. backed securities any longer. Wake up people...the U.S. isn't knocking on the door of disaster it has already walked through the threshold. Oh well unarmed Democrats will be easily conquered and ruled when SHTF.
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009
Article comment by:
Observer
I hope that Brad deSaye speaks Hungarian. This country has become just a bunch of talking heads who pretend to be patriots. If you can't make your own weapons all you do is make the enemy stronger. I think that America is just a "has been" empire.
Posted: Friday, February 06, 2009
Article comment by:
Chloe'
I stand corrected QueenieV...I would never want to put down one's education, or the elect for that matter. I think it is wonderful to know there are those who take the time to study our Constitution. Now I'm not sure what Sarah Palin has to do with this forum...even so and putting that aside...what is being said here is a person's right to choice of weapon. And there have been and I truly believe will be laws put into effect that will limit the everyday citizen in defending themselves with the same amount of power as the common criminal. And I am very pleased to see you brought up history...well...in a sense...I too am into history...the history that goes way back to the roots of what our country was founded upon.
Years ago there was a lowly Carpenter that gave a warning to all that even the elect would be deceived. Possibly just possibly many are being deceived even as I take time to pen this note. I do wish you a future with a Promise and a Hope.
Posted: Friday, February 06, 2009
Article comment by:
SuperSham
It's all much ado about nothing. NRA spreading unwarranted fear to increase membership ($$$politics$$$) and gun shop owners doing same as NRA while they raise the prices on all of their goods so they can rake in the profit ($$$greed$$$) off our stupid paranoid arses. In protest I just cancelled my local annual target range membership which almost doubled in cost over last years rate. I have all the ammo I need for personal self defense (20 rounds) for the rest of my natural life and will not spend one penny more on guns/ammo until the foolishness ends. One more thing, the NRA will never see my name in membership until they stop playing politics ($$$politics/greed$$$) and act with common sense.
Posted: Friday, February 06, 2009
Article comment by:
ED
The new world order is at hand the public in certain mind sets welcomes it. False peace an equality for all is their headdress. The ones that elected the officals that are in office today can have their world goverment of higher intellegence,the new age (not taught how to think but what to think). I my self and others will not be kennel raised in such a matter. Could the U.S. have the U.N. in its corner if will we the people Make a Stand?.
