Gun Enthusiasts Pack (gun) Shows To Buy Assault Weapons
Source: Reuters
ALLENTOWN, Penn./KANSAS CITY, Missouri | Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:25pm EST
(Reuters) - Gun enthusiasts thronged to shows around the country on Saturday to buy assault weapons they fear will soon be outlawed after a massacre of school children in Connecticut prompted calls for tighter controls on firearms.
Reuters reporters went to gun shows in Pennsylvania, Missouri and Texas, and found long lines to get in the door, crowds around the dealer booths, a rush to buy assault weapons even at higher prices and some dealers selling out.
The busiest table at the R.K. Gun & Knife show at an exposition center near the Kansas City, Missouri airport was offering assault weapons near the entrance.
West Plains, Missouri dealer Keith's Guns sold out of about 20 AR-15 style assault rifles in a little over an hour, owner Keith Gray said.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-usa-gun-shows-idUSBRE8BL0DP20121222
earthside
(6,960 posts)Of course, I'll bet most of these purchasers already own 20 or 30 guns already.
This gun obsession is a sickness.
sasha031
(6,700 posts)maybe it's time for the sane States that are left, is to build walls, to keep the loons out.
Isn't anymore crazy than what the NRA is proposing, arming everyone....
geckosfeet
(9,644 posts)Or maybe like the one they had in Berlin a while back. There is a biggy in China too.
I don't think any of them worked out in the long run...
Fridays Child
(23,998 posts)I live in the king of the loon states. Could you please give me the password to get into the sane states?
sasha031
(6,700 posts)If I was offensive of other places, I'm truly sorry.
It terrifying that people find the solution for gun violence is more guns.
Fridays Child
(23,998 posts)And, at times like this, those few breaths can be hard to come by. You're right, though. That some would seriously consider putting out a fire by throwing gasoline on it is, indeed, terrifying.
Berserker
(3,419 posts)Keep the murderous duck hunters out. Should we build a wall?
starroute
(12,977 posts)Just as some people deal with the blues by buying a new pair of shoes or getting a new tattoo, these people go out and buy a new gun.
One of the men arrested for threats of violence in the last week had $100,000 worth of guns in his house. How is that any different from a drug or gambling addiction?
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)Whenever things are perceived as becoming rare their value is increased. I am dating my self but I remember back when cabbage patch dolls were the rage and the year they were supposed to be in short supply. Soaring prices, fistfights. Heck look at the competition on Black Fri for limited goods.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)there were few 'assault weapons' in general circulation and they were almost never used in crimes (that hasn't changed). The ten years of the ban made them increase in value and their sales soared since the AWB did not ban any guns, it only banned a few cosmetic features on a few guns. The 'banned' magazines were always available, but at inflated prices.
By the way, none of these guns are assault rifles.
BeyondGeography
(39,934 posts)Fewer hunters makes the stockpilers essential to their bottom line.
Response to earthside (Reply #1)
Fridays Child This message was self-deleted by its author.
Archae
(46,731 posts)Suppose assault rifles are outlawed.
How would such a ban on all these assault rifles be enforced?
I'd never want one.
But now there are far more literally in homes and on the streets.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)Archae
(46,731 posts)How would you enforce such a law?
Have police SWAT teams smashing down doors looking for assault rifles on a tip, like they do drug raids?
meow2u3
(24,898 posts)In other words, either turn in your weapon (gun buyback) or go to jail and forfeit the cash you would have gotten if you turned it in.
ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)Depending how broad a net is thrown, the prices would surprise you.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)them.
Then it would be a matter of fate/chance on being discovered with one and indeed, much like illegal drugs.
geckosfeet
(9,644 posts)law abiding citizens felons overnight.
Many of them inherited their guns. Many were gifts. Many have sentimental value. Many are used for sport and hobbies. I bet some are in congress and the senate. I would say a lot a police and law enforcement. And now they are felons?
I am not sure how that would fly.
warrant46
(2,205 posts)There is no money for such a stoopid suggestion
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Just add looking for guns to their duties.
Frankly I'd purely love to see the gunners get a taste of the medicine that pot smokers have been getting for my entire damn life.
SylviaD
(721 posts)graham4anything
(11,464 posts)WMDs need to be stopped.
these people are stockpiling guns to overthrow the government a coup'd'etat
it needs to be nipped in the bud.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)stockpiling black helecopters as well?
hack89
(39,179 posts)it will be a ban on making and selling new ones. Any weapons purchased pre-ban will be legal and can be owned and sold.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)banned from Kos
(4,017 posts)There will never, ever be a gun roundup. 250 million + and sales are strong.
In three months this topic will be tired and lonely.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)SoapBox
(18,791 posts)to the point that this "gun thing" is perverse.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)CurtEastPoint
(19,097 posts)Early attendees left the show wheeling cases of ammunition, while individual gun owners worked the long line arranging private sales of assault-style weapons.
To a man and to an occasional woman the crowd dismissed calls for stricter gun laws as wrong headed.
If they are going to commit a crime, they will find a way to get a weapon to commit a crime. The only thing they are doing is disarming the law-abiding citizens, said Scott Burt of Paudling County.
Apart from the shows, gun shops around the nation have been swamped with customers seeking to get a jump on a feared federal crackdown. Scott Austin, owner of Tucker Gun, a shop on U.S. 29 in Tucker, called it the apocalypse of gun control.
Youve got nothing to lose now. The Democrats always want to take your guns, he said.
With few exceptions, Georgia gun owners do not have to register their weapons, but they do have to get a license if they intend to carry a handgun. From 2002 through last year, probate court judges issued nearly 730,000 such licenses, with demand peaking at 101,684 licenses in 2008.
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)in my own family even among those who voted for Obama. Most of the republicans in my family hated Romney and voted for Obama. I worry how it will play in the midterms.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Probably not as much as it did in 94-96. Probably a lot less. The Republicans were already pretty strident/motivated last election. I can't imagine too many more of them showing up to the polls over this.
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)The Republicans already control Congress.
If proposing anti-gun legislation is going to hurt "Probably not as much as it did in 94-96,"
(1) it doesn't sound like it will be passed with a Republican Congress,
(2) even if it is assumed that it will hurt less, it's going to hurt.
It's certainly is not going to help.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Previously, thoughts were that might change. Now, I think maaaaaybe we won't take it, BUT I don't think this will rob us of the Senate.
I could be wrong. I await more in-depth analysis. That's just my gut opinion.
AngryOldDem
(14,165 posts)Can someone PLEASE explain to me:
1) The fascination people have with these war weapons?
2) WHY do they want to own them, and WHY do they want more than one?
This is Exhibit A as to why -- at the VERY damn least -- the gun show loophole needs to be closed!
People and their guns in this country -- I can't fucking stand it.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I really don't get it. It's a sickness.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)It's bizzare.
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)grew up in the same town, says he needs guns for protection against the US government. I think that's the mentality (or lack thereof) of many of these people. They're simply off the deep end with paranoia.
secondvariety
(1,245 posts)wants to blame video games for the breakdown in society? Every mass shooting has the gun nuts rushing out to get more and more guns, without even a thought of the horrible irony. Jesus wept.
Turbineguy
(38,210 posts)has already picked up the latest fear mongering meme.
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/12/22/mother-six-says-school-kids-deserve-to-be-protected-by-armed-trained-guards/
Presumably this will be paid for by tax cuts.
cbrer
(1,831 posts)Because I believe there are rational, if ill timed/concieved reasons for buying a semi auto rifle, or pistol, and stocking up on ammo.
I just posted an article from Alternet about the parallels between the collapse of Rome and current US political and social arrangement here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101651086
This is not nut case, far out, screaming irrational analysis. Whether you believe it is or not.
And the horror behind the attack at Sandy Hook definitely points to a psychosis in our society that seems to be manifesting itself more frequently.
So despite the fact that many of you believe we should disarm, legislate weapons controls (which I believe in), or attempt outright banning of certain types of weapons, if you think I'm going to go unprotected while the crazies are armed to the teeth, you're fucking nuts!
My weapons are controlled. Stored responsibly, and well maintained. I'm not (in most peoples eyes) a "gun nut". I don't stress or obsess about guns or protection because I've done all any reasonable person can do.
I'm all in for suggestions, methods, discussions, political pressure, etc. to get this fucking problem under control. But if you think I'll leave myself, or the people I love susceptible to the vagaries of insanity, then you're not taking a realistic view of mine or many other Americans opinions towards self reliance and the difference between 10 seconds of fire power, and 10 minutes of 911 response time.
Response to cbrer (Reply #16)
Post removed
cbrer
(1,831 posts)Chopping off discussion with an emotional irrational outburst is not useful.
Popularizing views that polarize us as a society is a tool that our (ostensible) masters use to control us.
Please expand our discussion with insight or relevant experience.
Squinch
(52,260 posts)crazy-ass doomsday-prepping gun-hoarding was a responsible gun owner.
There is no reasoning with them. And I'm just not going to try anymore.
cbrer
(1,831 posts)"Fucking stupid" and "Imbecile", "Crazy-ass Doomsday Prepping", "Gun hoarding" are attempts at reasoning?
Your lack of logic and refusal to pull your head out of the sand to even begin a discussion are apparent in these outbursts.
Not much to be expected in terms of progress from posts like this.
Squinch
(52,260 posts)discussion, because we know it will end with some ridiculous NRA talking point.
That's just over.
cbrer
(1,831 posts)I wonder if that was part of the mindset of Adam Lanza when he snapped.
"That's just over"
IMHO, opinions like these contribute to the reasoning process that responsible gun owners use to decide that society will NOT be providing any cures or solutions.
Refusal to seek honest solutions leaves the situation as-is.
Like it or not.
Response to cbrer (Reply #57)
Squinch This message was self-deleted by its author.
Squinch
(52,260 posts)cbrer
(1,831 posts)It IS worth it. Our inability, or our failure to come up with new ideas, fresh approaches on existing policies, or reasoned identification of the mindsets that cause this type of tragedy is a real issue.
Anyone who denigrates, or demonizes someone elses valid opinion is just laying down road blocks. That's just meant as honest criticism, not an attack.
I will never A. Give up the search for solutions to our problems that everyone can live with.
and/or B. Allow my reasoned opinions to be demonized with no logic.
If my opinions or feelings are silly or illogical, hell man, blow holes in them. But name calling and closed minded dismissal get us nowhere.
Peace out
Turbineguy
(38,210 posts)your money might be better invested in the funeral services industry. They should do quite well. That, together with moving carefully when you go out your house might serve you better. All the research I've seen, makes your chances of surviving a gun battle not good. It's better to be a wealthy investor than a dead gun owner.
Of course, we could somehow make a community decision that we would like to live in a civilized society.
cbrer
(1,831 posts)All I'm doing is planning. Same reason I have fire extinguishers. I'm not paranoid, delusional, or para military.
All the research I've seen says odds are quite low that I'll need a firearm. And those few instances when it is needed, it can make a difference.
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)and I agree with you. The criminals will get their guns(they have them right now in my neighborhood) and I do not intend to be a victim. I was assaulted as a young woman and I do not intend to be dis-empowered of a means of evening the odds. There will not be much sympathy on this board for my outlook but that is OK.
DollarBillHines
(1,922 posts)Actually, your post looks as if I had written it.
I am no 'gun nut' either (although I do know some), but neither am I delusional to the point that I believe anything short of societal transformation is going to make this mess go away.
The naivete of some on this site really disturbs me. I would venture to guess that most here have never been in a tight situation.
We cannot compare Canada, Japan, Australia or anywhere else to the US. Our problems are unique to our society.
I imagine you are going to catch hell about your post.
Toronto
(183 posts)have touched on the truth on this web site. The problem is not that there are guns or that there is an NRA. It's a fundemental problem with society and might I add, influence peddling in government to the point that the government is no longer either of the people or for the people, but instead for big business. The thing people have to really worry about is being disenfranchised as some have already experienced. The more disenfranchisees, the more crime, the more weapons proliferation, the more death.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)the stockpiling of guns needs to be taken care of like the esteemed Janet Reno did in Waco
when they killed unprovoked federal agents.
legally and by the book.
samsingh
(17,836 posts)so they'll have a 100 instead of 90.
Mr.Turnip
(645 posts)It's obvious they are what they love and care about most in this world.
SylviaD
(721 posts)neverforget
(9,446 posts)on fear
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)People can't open up WMD stores and WMD shows
bossy22
(3,547 posts)SamKnause
(13,713 posts)This is INSANE !!!!
No good can come of this.
ReRe
(10,661 posts).... a deranged killer takes out 20 babies and 6 teachers with an assault rifle, and poof, these creeps crawl out of the woodwork to buy all the assault rifles they can get their hands on. Every time there's a mass murder, gun manufacturers make a bundle of money. And of course Lapierre's public appearance yesterday helped it all along. All advertisement.
This is one sick fucking country.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)in the story in the OP's link was an assault rifle. The gun used by Lanza was not an assault rifle either. An assault rifle is, by defintion, capable of automatic fire.
ReRe
(10,661 posts)....and I'm not interested in arguing with you. Thank you.
xoom
(322 posts)SylviaD
(721 posts)ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)Depending on the state, private party transactions (fraudulently called the gun show loophole) may or may not be allowed.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)Who are required to conduct a background check.
sakabatou
(42,850 posts)ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)Just about everthing that shoots is gone from every wholesaler and retail FFL. Magazines are gone, even reloading components are seeing a run that has never happened before. Basically the entire pipeline has been emptied.
Oh, and 8,000 people a day are reported to be joining the NRA
ileus
(15,396 posts)They still had 3 or 4 AR on the wall and a couple of AK's of some type. I didn't even walk over to look at the prices.
I bought a set of nocking pliers and some nocks and left.
A shop a friend of mine runs had 10 ARs on the way and one doctor from our hospital bought 5 of the 10 sight unseen.
ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)They were selling at a large sports store near some friends of mine fo $700 each. They ran out before COB Friday. They did not mark the price up.
I figure there will be minimal bans if any on the Federal level. Some states, like CA will get even more stupid, and in the end, little will change.
4saken
(152 posts)First you have people who are afraid, fending off some of that fear by having a gun in their closet. But the extent of that fear tends to be based on induction from individual stories that they hear about. You're more likely to have someone in the house get shot by a gun that to have an intruder and then fend them off with it. You also have the fear of the government, and many still believe guns will allow for a militia to overthrow it. But that is a fantasy given armored tanks and bombers. Additionally you have the racism and bigotry, causing people to disassociate with many other cultures and sub-cultures, often dehumanizing them. A fear of the "other" also promotes a desire for guns.
Secondly you have the perception of power and control that many people ultimately desire in a world of millions, and unguided natural phenomena, where little control can be attained by the individual. The previously mentioned fears add to this sense of lacking control, with violence being an easy way to get it.
Thirdly you have the adrenaline and other chemicals that rush through the body when firing a gun. It can create an addiction. But there are various other ways to get those feelings, competition and video games are good examples.
jonesgirl
(157 posts)Retrieved on Dec 22, 2012 @ 7:34pm EST
Also, I heard some of the gun sellers say the day after the Sandy Hook killings, it was the MOST profitable day in their history. What a bunch of ignorant, cold-hearted people to put the burden on our little ones.
I'm going to post all the companies and businesses that contribute to the NRA...maybe a consumer strike is in order??
Kingofalldems
(39,145 posts)The NRA cannot cry 2nd amendment on that one.
former9thward
(33,336 posts)Any court would throw it out. You can't wipe out part of the Constitution by taxing it to death. It would be like charging a $5 tax on each newspaper printed or a $1 tax on any internet post.
Kingofalldems
(39,145 posts)I don't see the problem. Constitution says nothing about taxing guns and ammo.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)Since the second amendment say's people have a right to guns, the government is not allowed to simply tax them out of existence.
The supreme court in Minneapolis Star vs Minnesota Commissioner threw out a special tax on ink on the grounds that it infringed on their first admendment right, and a similar tax on guns would also be thrown out.
Or lets put it another way. Do you believe that the rich have a right to guns, but we simply can't trust poor people, so lets tax them so those poor people cant get guns. I find it funny how much people complain about a flat tax being regressive, but when it comes to guns, bring it on!!!!
former9thward
(33,336 posts)You said "tax the living shit out of them". The living shit is not taxed out of alcohol and cigs. The tax on a bottle of beer is about 25 cents. Also alcohol and cigs are not one of the rights in the Constitution.
Guns and ammo are already specially taxed (about 11%). What they do with that money I have no idea.
Kingofalldems
(39,145 posts)PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)(Equivalent to over $3,000 today)
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/nfa/
former9thward
(33,336 posts)People favoring gun rights have never challenged the effective ban for automatic weapons (yes, you can own them in 37 states but you have about 10 legal hoops to jump through, spend about $4000, etc.). They are in a different class than other guns and people respect that.
AAO
(3,300 posts)They need to be on a higher level of understanding. One way we can help is to provide as much proof that we, as liberals, accept the 2nd amendment as a bedrock right of citizenship. I've personally never heard of any rational liberal propose somehow bypassing, ignoring, or eliminating the 2nd amendment.
Liberals, much more than conservatives, from my experience, believe in the rule of law. Whether right or wrong, we need to know what the rules are and that that they will be static throughout the conversation.
The second amendment, in the worst of times, (which may be sooner than we think) is our final protection against tyranny. It is a right that we should never take lightly, nor allow to be taken from us without cause. In the meantime, people should just relax and try to stay pragmatic and detached from these worst case ideas. Things tend to work out better than our fears reflect.
Never fired or owned a firearm. That's me. You are you. We can still be friends.
AntiFascist
(12,840 posts)as there are more tragic shootings, people become more paranoid buying up more guns....resulting in more tragic shootings.
caseymoz
(5,763 posts)To do what? Mow the grass?
There's a sucker born every minute, they all belong to the NRA, and unfortunately, they don't shoot each other fast enough.
ileus
(15,396 posts)her 4473 never cleared because of the number of firearms being sold. By the time her new pistol was approved the show was over so she has to go to the shop Monday to pick up her new CC pistol.
She felt her lady smith was too large to CC so she stepped up to a 380 LCP.
otohara
(24,135 posts)or all AA's, these White pussies would pull their product and shut down the place.
Dems to Win
(2,161 posts)Why anyone would take that risk is beyond me.
Skittles
(157,676 posts)jambo101
(797 posts)I dont understand how solving a gun problem is rationalized by calling for more guns..
At this point there are too many guns to even think of banning them all,illegalizing assault rifles and high volume magazines is about all that can be hoped for and even then i doubt it will make much difference in Americas daily carnage.I dont see any viable solution, too many guns too many nut jobs ,America just has to accept the reality that its just too easy for nutters to get guns and lay waste to many innocents to solve their problems.
SemperEadem
(8,053 posts)law enforcement is riding through the parking lots taking down their license plate numbers...
the guilty always make the most noise.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)just because of such fears. This was back in the day before video cams everywhere. Perhaps they now wear a burka?
Had to work with 'them' so it wasn't by choice that I knew them.
SwankyXomb
(2,030 posts)is have an ATF agent or two on site to run instant background checks, maybe with a few other conspicuous Federal agents there as well. Bet that would put a swift end to these traveling murder marts.