Gun Sales Up, and Up, and Up

[Bailey Guns]

Maybe, or maybe they'll join the ranks. 99% huh? Glass half empty 😀?

Glass half empty? Hardly. More like reality. We've had an upward trend in firearms sales/ownership for many years. The chart only goes to 2015 but we know the numbers are still going up. Yet someone is still electing people like Obama and Biden to the presidency and anti-gunners to congress. How do you explain that? Owning or buying a gun doesn't make one pro-gun and it sure as hell doesn't guarantee someone will vote pro-gun.

Look at the chart since 2008 and compare that to who's been in power.

[exxonv]

Glass half empty? Hardly. More like reality. We've had an upward trend in firearms sales/ownership for many years. The chart only goes to 2015 but we know the numbers are still going up. Yet someone is still electing people like Obama and Biden to the presidency and anti-gunners to congress. How do you explain that? Owning or buying a gun doesn't make one pro-gun and it sure as hell doesn't guarantee someone will vote pro-gun.

Look at the chart since 2008 and compare that to who's been in power.

Wow, revolves are always popular .

You can look at it however you'd like, and I can see your perspective for sure. I'm not naive or slow, but I don't want to walk through my time left on the planet being negative about it, I'm going to keep educating and promoting ownership, the 2nd Amendment, and the fact that it's a God given right. That's my choice.

I also believe there is systematic voters fraud, illegal activity on the Left, and that the closer in proximity people live, the more they're willing to give up freedom. Plus, the press has a grip on this nation. My decision, smile, tell the truth, and remain positive.

[izzy]

Even if you assume 5.9 million new sales is equal to that many voters (with a fresh perspective?) that number is still a pretty small fraction of the 160 million total registered voters. Spread out across all the states even if all those potential voters were to vote the same way this doesn't feel like it makes a significant difference on the national scale.

[Martinjmpr]

Anecdotal evidence aside, I wonder how many actual NEW gun owners there are?

I'd be willing to bet most of these "increased sales" are not non-gun-owners becoming gun owners, they are people who are already gun owners buying more guns.

The general increase in buying power and material affluence (due in large part to low inflation over the past ~35 years or so) means people can buy all sorts of new toys and gadgets for themselves. In the 1960's it was a sign of affluence if a family had more than one car (look at how many houses in the 50's/60's had single car garages.) In the 1970's it was a sign of affluence if a family had more than one television.

Now look at a typical middle class family, multiple cars/toys (motorcycles, 4 wheelers, RVs, etc), multiple televisions/screens, phones, tablets, etc.

It's the same with guns. People who in the 60's or 70's might have owned a centerfire pistol, a .22, a hunting rifle and a shotgun now own multiple handguns, rifles, shotguns, etc.

In terms of politics, I agree that gun owner =/= pro-gun voter. There are plenty of people who own firearms who are more than happy with laws that would prevent or restrict OTHER people from owning firearms, as long as they, themselves, are not subject to those laws.

[exxonv]

Anecdotal evidence aside, I wonder how many actual NEW gun owners there are?

I'd be willing to bet most of these "increased sales" are not non-gun-owners becoming gun owners, they are people who are already gun owners buying more guns.

The general increase in buying power and material affluence (due in large part to low inflation over the past ~35 years or so) means people can buy all sorts of new toys and gadgets for themselves. In the 1960's it was a sign of affluence if a family had more than one car (look at how many houses in the 50's/60's had single car garages.) In the 1970's it was a sign of affluence if a family had more than one television.

Now look at a typical middle class family, multiple cars/toys (motorcycles, 4 wheelers, RVs, etc), multiple televisions/screens, phones, tablets, etc.

It's the same with guns. People who in the 60's or 70's might have owned a centerfire pistol, a .22, a hunting rifle and a shotgun now own multiple handguns, rifles, shotguns, etc.

In terms of politics, I agree that gun owner =/= pro-gun voter. There are plenty of people who own firearms who are more than happy with laws that would prevent or restrict OTHER people from owning firearms, as long as they, themselves, are not subject to those laws.

GREAT points - never really looked at it that way till now, but just cars and TVs show the trend in affluence, and I know I added a few more pew pew's to my collection this last year!

[exxonv]

Even if you assume 5.9 million new sales is equal to that many voters (with a fresh perspective?) that number is still a pretty small fraction of the 160 million total registered voters. Spread out across all the states even if all those potential voters were to vote the same way this doesn't feel like it makes a significant difference on the national scale.

Good point - makes one wonder how many of those 350 million firearms out there belong to each gun owner. I am all for getting people into gun ownership, helping them gain confidence and skill with their firearm, and pointing out that they need to join us in the fight to keep our freedom (fresh perspective folks). "If we can save just one person.... " .

[ray1970]

I wasn't really frequenting gun stores much recently but every time I did go in one there were definitely people shopping for guns who had obviously never owned one. I'm sure there have always been people new to guns (every single one of us was a new gun owner at some point) but it does seem like I have been noticing a general increase in the number of people buying their first firearm. I don't really believe its a culture shift by any means and probably had more to do with th civil unrest and uncertainty that always comes in an election year. Compound that with the whole covid fiasco and free money from the government and there you have it.

[ray1970]

There are plenty of people who own firearms who are more than happy with laws that would prevent or restrict OTHER people from owning firearms, as long as they, themselves, are not subject to those laws.

Those people just can't see the big picture. The end game has always been zero firearms for anyone other than the military and maybe law enforcement. The Fudds of the world have always been ignorant of this with their mentality that since they don't own or need certain types of firearms then who cares what laws they pass. Well ain't bubba going to surprised one day when grandpappy's old deer rifle turns out to be a deadly sniper rifle and his favorite duck hunting shotgun is deemed a destructive device and his trusty 357 wheel gun is outlawed with every other handgun because they can be too easily concealed. Guess he'll be buying his meat at the grocery store and looking for some new hobbies.

[Great-Kazoo]

Anecdotal evidence aside, I wonder how many actual NEW gun owners there are?

.

Based on people coming to the range, a lot. I see new gun owners trying to figure out what to do, more than the usual, seasoned gun owner. Average age is 50+ with woman an easy 80%+ of those numbers.

Then there's the new[er] shooter who brings their kids, or relatives with them.

Out here families do range time and there seems to be more of a "communal" mentality to guns and shooting, in general.

[exxonv]

Based on people coming to the range, a lot. I see new gun owners trying to figure out what to do, more than the usual, seasoned gun owner. Average age is 50+ with woman an easy 80%+ of those numbers.

Then there's the new[er] shooter who brings their kids, or relatives with them.

Out here families do range time and there seems to be more of a "communal" mentality to guns and shooting, in general.

Yep, same here, seeing similar. Conceal carry is a big thing for these new folks, lots of them clearly pro 2nd, but never were owners till now. All the "old" discussions come back, 9mm vs. .45 ACP, carry condition, situational awareness, good holster vs. bad holster, which gun to buy, where to buy, where to practice, what to shoot when, etc. I actually enjoy those conversations - try to "meet people where they are" vs. speaking down to them. A great many seem ready to defend their rights once they know what's at stake. It's not a revolution, but an evolution, and I'm glad to see more female gun owners deciding to take their protection and their rights "personal" as well as "national".