More on Rise of Gun Sales
This week the Fort Worth Star Telegram noted, “Some say re-election fear is driving gun sales in Fort Worth, elsewhere.” This is interesting as it follows recent stories that noted that gun ownership was down, and that the NRA’s so-called power was a myth.
This story actually presents an interesting take on the issue, and includes opinion from those on both sides of the issue, but what it doesn’t do is repeat the oft cited line that President Obama hasn’t pushed for gun control – as that is a huge myth in itself.
Gun Sales on the Rise
While some in the media say the power of the NRA is a myth, and that gun ownership is on the decline, this week AP via CBS news noted, “Texas gun sales rise on fear of 2nd Obama term.”
How is it that there is so much contradiction when it comes to guns and gun sales? Could it be that the media really is confused on this issue?
Smith & Wesson Expands its Classic Line of Revolvers with the Model 586 Revolver
The recent Super Bowl XLVI might have been an instant classic but some classics are worth the wait. Smith & Wesson recently announced the expansion of their legendary Classic line with the introduction of the Model 586 revolver. Also known as the Distinguished Combat Magnum when first introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1980, the new classic offers collectors and .357 Magnum aficionados with one of the most sought after law enforcement firearms of its time. Designed with a carbon steel frame and cylinder along with a blue finish, the Classic Model 586 brings back flashes of an era when revolvers were worn mostly on the hips of law enforcement officers. Like the original, the classic Model 586 holds six rounds of .357/.38 S&W Special. It is offered in either a 4-inch or 6-inch barrel version with a single-action and a double-action trigger pull that is the hallmark of every Smith & Wesson revolver. The Classic Model 586 is standard with an authentic square-butt design and is packaged with checkered wood grips containing the Smith & Wesson medallion. A serrated back strap comes standard for improved firearm control when shooting heavy magnum loads. The Model 586 revolver is ideal for collectors, retired officers and recreational shooters who can relive history through this new classic addition. Both the 4-inch and 6-inch versions retail for $809.00.
USA Today Notes Rise in Women Shooters
Late last year when it was noted that firearm sales were surging various anti-gun groups suggested it was just repeat sales from the hard core gun owners. Most of the media went along with this argument, but those who really know the industry saw another trend, one that is finally getting some media attention.
This week The Des Moines Register via USA Today noted, “Women, girls taking up guns, shooting in higher numbers.” The story noted:
Research by the National Sporting Goods Association shows female participation in target shooting grew by 46.5% between 2001 and 2010. And an October 2011 Gallup Poll found 23% of women own a gun.
We’re very happy to see this story being reported, and now we’re waiting for anti-gun groups to respond.
Gun Control on a Global Scale
How big is the global arms trade? In a word: Huge. And this is why calls for gun control in the United States are so severely misguided. Gun control cannot work because the market of guns is so large. This might sound like a pessimistic statement to make, but a point needs to be considered.
Guns flow around the world to places where guns are banned. Criminals get guns because they don’t follow the law.
Consider some information from a story this week from DefenceWeb:
Negotiators narrowly averted the collapse of talks on a world arms trade treaty to regulate the $55 billion (34 billion pounds) global weapons market, agreeing on ground rules for negotiations after days of procedural wrangling.
The world arms trade is $55 billion a year! And here is some more information that gun control types don’t often note:
Brian Wood of Amnesty International said Russia, China and several other arms-exporting nations were “resisting proposals from the overwhelming majority for criteria in the treaty that would stop arms transfers” when there was reason to believe they could be used for serious human rights violations.
Note that Russia and China are major arms-exporting nations, and even if this treaty were ratified, those nations would likely continue to export guns. And there is very good reason to believe that American criminals would just create a black market!
Gun Business: U.S. Army Orders Gatling Guns and M2 Gets Makeover
Two interesting stories caught our eye this week. First up, the “Gatling Gun” might have been 19th century technology but General Dynamics is keeping it alive and well in the 21st century. From a company press release:
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded a $7.3 million contract to produce and deliver more than two dozen GAU-19/B Gatling gun systems for use on U.S. Army helicopters. General Dynamics also will provide field support, spare parts and logistics support under the contract.
The GAU-19/B is a lighter version of General Dynamics’ GAU-19/A, a .50 caliber, three-barrel gun which is currently fielded on aircraft, ground vehicles and ships. All of the GAU-19/B gun systems will be delivered in February.
And it seems the nearly century old .50 caliber is getting a makeover as well! Bloomberg reports:
The U.S. Army’s “Ma Deuce,” the .50-caliber M2 machine gun wielded by World War II hero Audie Murphy, is being revamped to prevent malfunctions that have injured dozens of soldiers.
Congress shifted $34 million at the Army’s request to supplement $15 million originally sought in this year’s defense budget for modifications to correct a “safety issue” with the M2, according to the conference report accompanying legislation. The funds may benefit gunmakers General Dynamics Corp. (GD) and U.S. Ordnance Inc.
This just proves that the old technology from Gatling and Browning is still viable today with a few improvements.
Illinois Gun Licenses Rose Six Percent in 2011
The media is reporting an interesting story this week. Illinois residents are buying guns, as licenses rose by six percent. Even those from the Illinois Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence noted to local Chicago media, “that is a pretty big increase.”
So is there more to the story? What the media is only touching upon is that Chicago ended – by way of the Supreme Court – a ban on handgun ownership. And in the Windy City gun ownership, or at least the number of people with firearms cards, increased by 16 percent in 2011.
This is a story, a big story. Now some anti-gun types are no doubt going to say, “This is bad” and cite possible increase in violence. But the truth is that Chicago has had gun violence because the criminal element ignored the gun ban. So maybe we could actually see some decrease in crime as the innocent law-abiding citizens won’t have to automatically be victims.
NRA News: Why U.S. Gun Sales Are Shooting For The Moon
Cam Edwards talks to Frank Miniter from Forbes and Executive Field Editor of American Hunter Magazine
Firing Back: Why Have Guns Been Selling?
The mainstream media has spent the last two months reporting on record gun sales, and time and time again it has made sure to include commentary from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence or some other anti-gun group to “explain it.”
But what needs to be explained? We’re coming into an election year and despite the resounding statement from the anti-gun crowd that President Obama hasn’t done much with gun control, he hasn’t exactly been pro-gun either. Likewise, there is uncertainty with the economy, but there have been other factors.
First, women are picking up guns; to defend themselves and to hunt, or just take part in shooting sports. Is there anything wrong with this? And young people are once again showing interest in firearms.
But instead the media continues to ask why? And for reasons that make no sense in business related stories, ask for commentary from anti-gun types as if this will provide the answer.
The truth is that gun ownership is on the rise, crime is down. What is wrong with that?
And here is another point to consider, why would the media root against sales? Doesn’t the economy need to pick up? Imagine if this were any other product and the media tried to paint it as bad? The media wants strong consumer good sales, as it indicates a good economy. The media likes to report on strong housing or automobile sales, so why wouldn’t the media want strong firearms sales?
These are criminals buying guns, but to many in the media anyone with a gun should be deemed a potential outlaw.
Left Leaning Care 2 Offs Biased Reporting as “News”
The headline sums up where this story is going: On The First Anniversary of the Giffords Assassination Attempt, Things Are Still In Limbo.
This from Care2.com ,which begs the question… what is in limbo? Apparently because guns are still legal the issue is in limbo. But this article then throws in bias as news. It does begin as news, as is noted with this introduction:
It’s been exactly one year since the country was stunned by the violent shooting rampage that nearly killed Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, and did kill and wound numerous staff, supporters and even a little girl.
That is news and it sums up the situation well, but consider this misinformation at the end of the article:
And others are even using the anniversary to promote weapons. According to Think Progress, the Crossroads of the West gun show has decided to use today as the day to throw their Tuscon exhibit and sale. But at least they don’t appear to be raffling away the same type of gun that nearly killed her, like the Arizona GOP did last fall.
The gun show wasn’t scheduled for any particular reason! But this article would you have believe that was in fact the motive of the Crossroads of the West Gun Show organizers! Shameful that this is bias passes as news.
