Gun Sales Strong in Weak Economy

With gasoline at $4 a gallon, the housing market in a serious slump, and a general feeling of "malaise" in the overall economy, you might think the firearms biz would be hurting, too. Not so, I’m pleased to report. Figures released by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) show 886,183 background checks were made on the sale of firearms in the last month for which we have statistics (May 2008). This is a 10.3-percent increase from the 803,051 checks reported in May 2007.

State figures show that background checks were up 8.8 percent over the same period. This increase is backed up by other key economic indicators for the firearms industry, including arise in excise taxes reported by firearms and ammunition manufacturers, an increase in small-arms production, as well as a small increase in hunting-license sales. Year-to-date figures show a total of 4,831,693 background checks reported by NICS.

At the risk of appearing to "preach to the choir," it’s also interesting to note that the FBI’s recently released 2007 data showed a drop in violent crime (1.4 percent) over the previous year. The FBI also reported that homicides fell by nearly 10 percent in the 10 largest U. S. cities. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reports that, according to the latest data available from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 91 percent of violent crime does not involve firearms. Rising gun sales and falling crime?

You just don’t get it, do you, Sarah? I’m not exactly sure why the firearms business is booming while most sectors of the economy are busting. (Historically, it doesn’t always work that way.) NSSF points to increased numbers of female gun buyers and an increase in the number of women enrolling in handgun-training classes. Certainly, that could account for a 10percent increase. I can’t help but wonder, however, if there isn’t a connection to some collective anxiety over the rapidly approaching presidential election.

Personally, I’m not particularly worried about it. The country is not in the mood to listen to more 1990s-style anti-gun rhetoric. And any candidate smart enough to get elected is smart enough to realize that. I feel pretty confidant that the next U. S. president will try to focus on issues that will help unite the country rather than divide it. Of course, I’m still going to vote for the "right" candidate. Need Some Extra Cash?

If you would like to turn your gunsmithing ideas and expertise into cash (we pay pretty handsomely), I would like to discuss your article ideas with you. Contact me, Keith Lawrence, Editor, at: American Gunsmith, Merritt Island, FL 32954; voice fax Editor Keith Lawrence Technical