Smith & Wesson, the famed American gun maker once owned by Tomkins, the British conglomerate, expects to nearly double its annual sales in the next three to five years as demand for its firearms soars in the recession. It is not alone.
All over America demand for firearms and ammunition is rising amid concerns that rising unemployment, which passed 10 per cent this month, will lead inexorably to higher rates of crime. Fears of terrorism have also helped to lift demand, as have concerns among gun owners that the Obama Administration may introduce restrictions on gun ownership and impose additional taxes.
The article goes on to describe the great good fortune of Sturm and Ruger and Glock. All over the gun-producing world, business is booming.
Tulsa World reports on the difficulty experienced in this year's Tulsa Gun Show.
A frenzy of gun buying after the election of President Barack Obama seems to have slowed as collectors and buyers find themselves susceptible to the nation’s economic struggles.How can we reconcile these two stories? I mean, either business is good or it isn't. You don't think a proportion of the Glock and Smith and Wesson production is going immediately into the criminal world, do you? They're certainly not singing the same tune as they are in Tulsa. Something must account for that.
Exhibitors and attendees of the Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show on Sunday said sales were down slightly this year and pistols and small rifles appeared to be more popular than larger, military-type machinery that dominated last year’s show.
“We’re down a little,” said Vice President Mark Wanenmacher. He added that part of the slowdown is likely because of deer hunting season.
The event, dubbed the largest gun show in the world, was hosted Saturday and Sunday at Tulsa’s Expo Square.
Brian Holtsclaw of Dixon, Mo., said he and some buddies have come to the show in Tulsa every year for the past five years. He buys and trades for hunting and recreational shooting, he said.
Worries that the Obama administration would usher in restrictive gun control laws have ebbed some in the president’s first several month in office, Holtsclaw said.
“Not this time,” he said. “That’s kind of slowed for now.”
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
Tulsa is just one market and they are talking about one show being down. One dealer even offers an explanation as to it being hunting season. I saw a release this morning that said background checks in Ohio were up 4.3% indicating new gun purchases continue on the rise. The bubble will eventually pop but sales are still strong for now.
ReplyDelete"How can we reconcile these two stories? I mean, either business is good or it isn't."
ReplyDeleteSales are still up, but the Obama gun rush is over. People are still buying guns and ammo, but they aren't pushing the prices up anymore.
Really? You're seriously asking this question?
ReplyDeleteWhere have you been the past year or two MikeB, living under a rock?
One small gun dealer in Tulsa saying his sales are down does NOT equal "gun sales are down" and honestly you'd have to be blind, stupid or both to think sales were down nationwide.
Some of the smaller dealers (like my FFL) are having trouble with sales, but not for lack of demand. My FFL has TONS of requests from customers, but simply can't get enough product from his suppliers at Sig. Suppliers fill their big orders 1st, which makes it hard for smaller dealers to get what they need.
You don't think a proportion of the Glock and Smith and Wesson production is going immediately into the criminal world, do you?
ReplyDeleteGlock & S&W do not sell firearms directly to customers.
Why do you continually make statements, assertions etc. that are in no way backed up with anything substantive?
Surely you have some proof that S&W and Glock are dumping guns directly onto the black market...... Oh wait, you're just talking out of your ass again.
Mikeb: "You don't think a proportion of the Glock and Smith and Wesson production is going immediately into the criminal world, do you?"
ReplyDeleteIf there has been an increase in the amount of guns "going immediately into the criminal world," wouldn't you expect an increase in gun crime? I have heard that the opposite is true.
Down slightly from their previous show which was probably their best ever does not equal "business is doing bad".
ReplyDeleteMike W. thought we were talking about "One small gun dealer in Tulsa."
ReplyDeleteThe article I linked said these people claim to be the biggest gun show in the world.
RuffRidr's probably right. They're down a little from a record high last time - or something like that.
Mike W. thought we were talking about "One small gun dealer in Tulsa."
ReplyDeleteThe article I linked said these people claim to be the biggest gun show in the world.
OK Mike then take the word "small" out. We're still talking about ONE dealer in one area of the country who says sales are down (according to the article) That does not equal "Sales are down nationwide."
You still got it wrong, Mike. It was a gun SHOW, and one that claims to be the biggest in the world. Not a single gun dealer.
ReplyDeleteThe article I linked said these people claim to be the biggest gun show in the world.
ReplyDeleteReally MikeB? Because I only see one link in your post and it doesn't discuss anything about any Tulsa gun show.
I still find it laughable that MikeB simply cannot understand simple points. It is entirely possible to reconcile the two stories, as gun sales can be (and are) up nationwide while simultaneously being down in a particular area of the country, or for a particular dealer, at a particular event etc. etc.
Here's a graph if it helps...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x231543
Probably like alcohol--about 60% of the sales are to 10% of the population (old estimate).
ReplyDeleteSo, it is likely that a small percentage of gun owners are responsible for a large number of sales, so it kind of skews the stats on actual "gun ownership"...
Of course Daisy has absolutely no evidence backing up her claim.
ReplyDeleteShe's an anti, so why would she bring facts or evidence to substantiate her claims?
Why Did you erase my Post, MikeB? I directly addressed Daisy's incorrect argument by addressing the large amounts of Conceal carry permits being issued for the first time, as well as the growing number of women who are shooting for the first time which disproves Daisy's statement.
ReplyDelete