Gun Sales Continue to Increase

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, there has been a 24 percent jump in gun sales for December of 2008. Despite a weak economy, gun sales are continuing to increase amid concerns that lawmakers will institute a new gun ban on law-abiding American citizens. Data derived from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System show a 24 percent increase in firearm purchaser background checks for the month of December 2008 (1,523,426 checks) over December of 2007 (1,230,525 checks).

Various hunting rifles

This increase follows a 42 percent rise in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System checks for the preceding month. This is the highest number of checks in NICBCS history. FBI background checks are required under federal law for all individuals purchasing firearms from federally licensed retailers. These checks serve as a strong indicator of actual firearm sales. A recent poll of hunters and target shooters by Southwick Associates, Inc., in which 80 percent of respondents said they expect it will become far more difficult to purchase firearms under the incoming Obama administration and Congress, explains the increase in sales.

“The sales of firearms, in particular handguns and semi-automatic hunting and target rifles, are fast outpacing inventory,” said National Shooting Sports Foundation President and CEO Stephen L. Sanetti. “It is clear that many people are concerned about possible gun bans under the incoming Congress and they are reacting accordingly.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE), reported that the large increase in demand for firearms has led to a dire shortage of Form 4473s, the Firearms Transaction Record, which must be filled out any time a person buys a firearm from a licensed retailer. But, as a temporary measure, the ATFE is allowing federal firearms licensees to photocopy the form 4473 in its entirety until they receive additional forms from the ATFE Distribution Center. The National Shooting Sports Foundation has reminded retailers of the newly launched Electronic Form 4473, which is free and downloadable from the ATFE website.

The final year-end NICS data reveals a total of 12,709,023 background checks reported in 2008.  In an online HunterSurvey, conducted in December of 2008, by Southwick Associates, Inc., it was shown that, by a large majority, hunters and shooters feel that the coming changes in Washington, D.C. will make it even more difficult for them to purchase firearms. When asked to define their expectations regarding the new administration and Congress, a resounding 80% of respondents said they expect it will become far more difficult for them to purchase firearms. Fewer than 1% said they expect purchasing firearms will become less difficult, while 16% said they expect their firearms purchasing ability will remain the same. Slightly fewer than 4% of respondents said they don’t know or have no opinion.

Survey author, Rob Southwick, of Southwick Associates, said, “These results show that most hunters and target shooters expect drastic changes resulting from the 2008 elections that will make it more difficult for them to buy firearms. The increase in firearm sales since the November election are also a strong indicator of such sentiment.”

Ammunition is another item that is being bought up, according to local gun shops in New Hampshire. In addition to wanting to take away our 2nd Amendment rights, there are also politicians who want to ban our lead bullets used for hunting deer and other big game. This is being done under the false claim that the lead tip bullets put excessive amounts of lead poisoning into the game meats and make the meat unsafe to eat.

Do we remember England, when their government made it illegal for citizens to defend themselves against criminals intent on doing bodily harm? If one breaks into a home there and the family is threatened, God help the person who attempts to protect the family lives against the criminal. They will be punished and the criminal will walk. Crime rates in countries that banned firearms from law-abiding citizens have gone way up compared to previous years before such a ban was put in place. And, look at our own capitol, Washington, D.C. Only until recently, law-abiding citizens of D.C. were not allowed to own guns and D.C. became the murder capitol of the U.S.A.

Americans must stand together and protect all of our rights. If we don’t, we certainly will see a change for the worst.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

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DISCLAIMER:  The opinions expressed by Mr. Harris are not necessarily those of the Goffstown Residents Association or its members

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