"Assault weapon" ban 2025 version

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Ranges have always been an AARP convention. I think that the biggest thing is that pre 2000, or maybe 1990, gun ownership was highly linked to hunting. For good or bad, that has changed to people more interested in self defense and long range shooting- both without real links to hunting. That is an issue for hunting and wildlife management- but a much easier and sustainable base of gun ownership. I think it is driven by the rise of CCW and the GWOT/Video-game familiarity with ‘cool’ guns.

And August 1st is the new ‘gate’, right?

[FoxtArt]

We're not seeing a lack of new people getting into guns - there is a resurgence of conservative/firearm interest in young men.

However, like every other hobby, it is becoming a rich mans sport. This is despite the price of most guns has actually dropped - a lot - from the comparative value of our youth. I'm talking not only inflation adjusted, but actual prices for things like ARs.

But ammunition has not had a price correction, essentially, ever. What used to be 10c a shot is now commonly $1 per shot. Many hunting rounds can be 3$ a shot. Shooting requires sending ammunition downrange, otherwise one is a collector, and the biggest factor is the disposable income of everyone (especially younger generations) has steadily been shrinking, compared to adjusted generations past.

Much like anything else - golf, skiiing, etc., only the reasonably well off can actually enjoy these hobbies. Young people can for a brief window of time on credit cards, but their housing expenses are often more like 50% of their income, even with roommates. Guys with gray hair have mortgages that were locked in 25 years ago... or houses that are paid off, as well as time to spend burning some money.

Make no mistake though... young men today proportionally are as interested in firearms as they ever have been, imho. As mentioned before, this is less about hunting and doesn't neatly fit the assumptions of prior decades.

[hurley842002]

We're not seeing a lack of new people getting into guns - there is a resurgence of conservative/firearm interest in young men.

However, like every other hobby, it is becoming a rich mans sport. This is despite the price of most guns has actually dropped - a lot - from the comparative value of our youth. I'm talking not only inflation adjusted, but actual prices for things like ARs.

But ammunition has not had a price correction, essentially, ever. What used to be 10c a shot is now commonly $1 per shot. Many hunting rounds can be 3$ a shot. Shooting requires sending ammunition downrange, otherwise one is a collector, and the biggest factor is the disposable income of everyone (especially younger generations) has steadily been shrinking, compared to adjusted generations past.

Much like anything else - golf, skiiing, etc., only the reasonably well off can actually enjoy these hobbies. Young people can for a brief window of time on credit cards, but their housing expenses are often more like 50% of their income, even with roommates. Guys with gray hair have mortgages that were locked in 25 years ago... or houses that are paid off, as well as time to spend burning some money.

Make no mistake though... young men today proportionally are as interested in firearms as they ever have been, imho. As mentioned before, this is less about hunting and doesn't neatly fit the assumptions of prior decades.

I agree with all of this.


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[FromMyColdDeadHand]

We're not seeing a lack of new people getting into guns - there is a resurgence of conservative/firearm interest in young men.

However, like every other hobby, it is becoming a rich mans sport. This is despite the price of most guns has actually dropped - a lot - from the comparative value of our youth. I'm talking not only inflation adjusted, but actual prices for things like ARs.

But ammunition has not had a price correction, essentially, ever. What used to be 10c a shot is now commonly $1 per shot. Many hunting rounds can be 3$ a shot. Shooting requires sending ammunition downrange, otherwise one is a collector, and the biggest factor is the disposable income of everyone (especially younger generations) has steadily been shrinking, compared to adjusted generations past.

Much like anything else - golf, skiiing, etc., only the reasonably well off can actually enjoy these hobbies. Young people can for a brief window of time on credit cards, but their housing expenses are often more like 50% of their income, even with roommates. Guys with gray hair have mortgages that were locked in 25 years ago... or houses that are paid off, as well as time to spend burning some money.

Make no mistake though... young men today proportionally are as interested in firearms as they ever have been, imho. As mentioned before, this is less about hunting and doesn't neatly fit the assumptions of prior decades.

I go through a metric-assload of 22LR, finish up with center fire.

22lr <$0.10 a round, steel targets are cheaper and lighter, less chance to dangerous ricochet. One of those 22lr speed loaders for the MP15-22, and I don’t cringe when my kid does a mag dump. I know its not ‘cool’, but going to the range and dumping 500-600 rounds in an afternoon and working on transitions and splits, uhm- good.

[FoxtArt]

I go through a metric-assload of 22LR, finish up with center fire.

22lr <$0.10 a round, steel targets are cheaper and lighter, less chance to dangerous ricochet. One of those 22lr speed loaders for the MP15-22, and I don’t cringe when my kid does a mag dump. I know its not ‘cool’, but going to the range and dumping 500-600 rounds in an afternoon and working on transitions and splits, uhm- good.

That's a good price for .22. And I agree it's a wallet saver w/ kids.

Used to be relatively easy to get a brick on sale for around $7.99. That = 0.015c a round. Obviously, wages have increased since then, but the COL increases have outpaced wages a ton. If we were young adults now, I don't think we could really afford to shoot 22... not because it's unreasonable, but because the disposable is essentially $0. Obv some have good careers from the get-go, but that's more of the exception.