Ready, aim ... buy? Why gun sales spiked on Black Friday

by 1alaskan Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:04 pm

Ready, aim ... buy? Why gun sales spiked on Black Friday

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/05/9227335-ready-aim-buy-why-gun-sales-spiked-on-black-friday

By Martha C. White
Americans spent some $52 billion on Black Friday weekend. In addition to sweaters and iPods, though, shoppers were scooping up something else in large numbers: guns.
According to the FBI, which processes requests for background checks of prospective gun buyers, 129,166 such checks were performed on Black Friday, Nov. 25, breaking the previous single-day record -- set on Black Friday 2008 -- by nearly a third. The surge in gun sales was initially reported by USA Today.
Analysts who focus on firearms say this increase is part of a years-long trend toward increasing gun ownership. In a recent Gallup poll, 47 percent of respondents said there was a gun in the household, up from 41 percent just one year ago.
More people are buying guns these days, particularly handguns, said Cai von Rumohr, managing director at investment company Cowen & Co. For all of November, the number of background checks processed by the FBI rose by around 16 percent vs. year-ago levels.
"These numbers have been relatively strong, and I think more of it has been the trend towards lower-priced, smaller weapons," von Rumohr said. For the most part, it's unlikely these weapons are being bought to wrap up and put under a Christmas tree; many states have laws that prohibit buying a gun for someone else.
The number of first-time buyers and women buying guns has been on the rise for a few years, which may have contributed to the high numbers on Black Friday. Data from the National Sporting Goods Association show an increase in the number of female gun consumers, including a nine percentage point jump from last year to this year. Also, every state except for Illinois now lets residents carry concealed weapons.
"Retailers tell us 25 percent of customers are first-time buyers," said Larry Keane, vice president and general counsel at the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a firearms industry trade association. Many gun dealers that enroll firearm novices in safety and training courses report that their classes are full or wait-listed, another indication of growth in the number of new gun owners, he said.
Caroline Brewer, director of communications at the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, called the Black Friday surge a "one-time event." She said any increase in gun purchases "may be the result of marketing."
If marketing is the cause, it appears to be successful.
"Whereas five years ago it was politically incorrect (to own guns), ... what seems to be changing is social acceptance," said Bret Jordan, analyst at investment firm Avondale Partners. "I think there might be a changing view of firearms."
Jordan said the industry saw a surge in gun purchases around the time of the last presidential election, apparently because hunters and other enthusiasts feared President Barack Obama would push for more gun-control laws or stronger restrictions.
"When Obama was elected, I think people rushed out and stocked up on their tactical rifles," Jordan said, referring to military-style weapons that were potential targets of legislative restrictions.
More recently, though, the focus has switched to handguns. In spite of the economic downturn, "The category of firearm that has continued to sell very well is something one would have if they were concerned about their personal safety," Jordan said.
"The general trend is it's more socially acceptable to own a gun in the United States than it was five to six years ago," he said.

by 1alaskan Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:05 pm

The more guns honest folks have, the less the crooks have the advantage

by **doodoo** Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:48 am

Never owned a gun (other than BB), but I have been looking at them for the last couple of months and purchasing one will be a high priority post-rv. The last 3 months have seen 4 breakins and/or armed robberies in my neighborhood. I have decided in the event of a breakin at my home, I don't want to be the only person there without a gun. I plan on taking classes on handling and shooting and will spend time at a range to help me decide which gun to buy and to make me confident if the time comes (God forbid) when I have to use it.

by 1alaskan Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:32 pm

Here in Alaska I think the rule of thumb is there is a gun in every car and home. Not just for saftey from people, but it works, but if you run off the road, flat tire in many areas, when you step out of the car you are no longer at the top of the food chain.

by DevaronDLH Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:08 pm

A well armed nation of people is the most feared of all issues known to the NWO.
If this nation, the Congress or any government body tells you that you have to surrender your guns then you know its time to use them. We will remain free so long as we can maintain our willingness and power to do so, and I am not the only person in this nation that believes we may have to fight to regain the country we all thought we lived in.
At this point the government proves, on an almost daily basis that it is not our friend and in fact seeks to incarcerate us or kill us outright. Oh, thats to harsh you say... but perhaps you have not seen the poisons raining down from the skys in the form of chemical aerosol spraying (Chemtrails). Or the government telling you to vaccinate your children with their poisons and toxins (even your doctor will tell you to stay away from that stuff) But I do believe we should vaccinate the people who are pushing this on us...
Well why do you think the guns sales are skyrocketing? Hunting (not), target practice (maybe, to get acquainted with your gun)... most likely it is to protect ourselves from big Brotherand the NWO maniacs who have already sworn to eradicate 75 - 85% of the people on Earth... Now that IS insane but the really insane part is that these folks actually mean to do it... Not on my watch!

by PGLD Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:22 pm

Gun sales spike every black Friday, along with sales of nearly everything else, because it's the biggest bargain day of the year...got a new tv at 1/2 normal price...don't read too much into that event...

by 1alaskan Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:27 pm

What I found interesting is that it is a new record, beating the old one by more than 33%. First time buyers some 25% of all sales.

Yes sales on black friday is normal, but that kind of jump is not.

by **Kevind53** Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:17 pm

Nope it is not ... and it's totally not cool to suddenly find yourself a part of instead of the top of the food chain ... been there, done that, didn't like the feeling at all ...no sirree!