Glock Pistol Sales Jump in Aftermath of Arizona Shootings Amid Ban Concern

[Purveyor]

By Michael Riley

Jan. 11 (Bloomberg) -- After a Glock-wielding gunman killed six people at a Tucson shopping center on Jan. 8, Greg Wolff, the owner of two Arizona gun shops, told his manager to get ready for a stampede of new customers.

Wolff was right. Instead of hurting sales, the massacre had the $499 semi-automatic pistols -- popular with police, sport shooters and gangsters -- flying out the doors of his Glockmeister stores in Mesa and Phoenix.

“We’re at double our volume over what we usually do,” Wolff said two days after the shooting spree that also left 14 wounded, including Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who remains in critical condition.

A national debate over weaknesses in state and federal gun laws stirred by the shooting has stoked fears among gun buyers that stiffer restrictions may be coming from Congress, gun dealers say. The result is that a deadly demonstration of the weapon’s effectiveness has also fired up sales of handguns in Arizona and other states, according to federal law enforcement data.

“When something like this happens people get worried that the government is going to ban stuff,” Wolff said.

MORE...

http://noir.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aOpkQR6P6xoo&pos=9

[villager]

1. It's all so pathetically predictable...

Like a cargo cult. Except, with guns.

[kctim]

7. Yes

the governments predictable response to these things is usually pretty pathetic.
Sad we have been made to fear our government and what it might do to keep us under its control.

[villager]

11. Like I said, a "cargo cult," with fixed, unshakable beliefs, immune to facts

Sorry you've been "made" to "fear."

[RSillsbee]

42. Given that people have been screaming for a ban

since before the blood was dry, how do you figure that this gun run (which most of the pro gun crowd in here told you was going to happen) is based on mindless fear?

If I state my intent to assault you over and over again, you have every right to believe I mean exactly what I say

[villager]

47. interesting projection of the word "assault..."

n/t

[RSillsbee]

48. It sounded better

than "Whoop yo ass"

[villager]

49. both, of course, sound familiar to the cargo cultists

n/t

[SteveM]

71. Well, banners have pretty much "assaulted" the word "assault"....

so that it can mean pretty much anything they want to ban. They just love that circle... round an' round an' round an' round...

[SteveM]

70. Yep. A new chapter in culture war and prohibition, followed by a run.

You would think prohis would learn by now. Oh, well, time to light up.

[Euromutt]

80. "Like a cargo cult"? How?

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult):

From time to time, the term "cargo cult" is invoked as an English language idiom to mean any group of people who imitate the superficial exterior of a process or system without having any understanding of the underlying substance. The error of logic made by the islanders consisted of mistaking a necessary condition for cargo to come flying in, i.e., building airstrips, control towers, etc., for a sufficient condition for cargo to come flying in, thereby reversing the causation. On a lower level, they repeated the same error by, for example, mistaking a necessary condition for building a control tower, i.e., build something that looks like a control tower, for the sufficient condition of building a genuine control tower.

How is the behavior of someone who buys a Glock "like a cargo cult"?

(I may be wasting my breath because I'm pretty certain villager's got me on "ignore" but you never know.)

[Uzybone]

2. paranoia seems to run thick amongst the gun "enthusiasts"

I mean amongst "outdoorsmen"

[DrDan]

12. you mean among the "sportsmen"?

[lepus]

67. It's not paranoia when multiple attempts to restrict the RKBA have happened over the years. NT

[SteveM]

72. Hell, I'm not paranoid, just well-armed (pssst, I beat the rush). nt

[TornadoTN]

3. Mass Shootings and High Profile Killings are GREAT for the Gun Industry

I can't help but picture the executives and owners smiling at their fortunes today.

[DrDan]

13. as well as the leaders of the NRA

they must be beside themselves

[SteveM]

73. Yeah, a gun-controller/banner opens his mouth, and sales spike. nt

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

29. Correction: Predictable legislative knee-jerk responses are GREAT for the Gun Industry...

:popcorn:

[TornadoTN]

36. I don't disagree with you at all, but one thing does lead to another here.

And I say this as a gun-owner and a sane 2nd amendment advocate.

[Hoopla Phil]

63. And the brady bunch.

[sadbear]

4. I'm sure some DU members have already joined the rush

Gungeon denizens.

[Pancho Sanza]

5. Why wouldn't they? There are dozens of DU members calling for a ban.

plus talking head bimbos all over the telly...


I plan to get one or two more myself.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Pancho Sanza]

20. I hope you're not denying that several DUers have called for bans on all guns

the last couple days. But maybe you are...
:eyes:
"a lying sack of crap"??? Do you talk to your mother that way?

[friendly_iconoclast]

37. Here's some of the posts your interlocutor denied existed:

These are the ones I could find in a quick search. I guess we were supposed to believe him and not our lying eyes

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=353747#354157

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=150741#150883

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=167911#168368

[aikoaiko]

21. there are others calling for reauthorizing the entire AWB, too.

[Ikonoklast]

9. Buy a gross of them.

[SteveM]

74. Nah, I got mine early. Don't you know never to wait til Christmas eve? nt

[xchrom]

6. That's some grim advertising. Nt

[bdamomma]

10. people get killed and their profits go up.

:puke: :puke:

we are the mecca for most guns in the world, how sick. Yemen is first.

[DrDan]

15. according to Rachel - Yemen is second - far behind us

I believe Yemen has 60 guns per 100 population. We are over 90 per hundred.

(If I remember her numbers from a couple of days ago.)

[Abq_Sarah]

22. So we're worse than Yemen

Only someone who had never been there would possible try to draw a parallel between the USA and Yemen.

[Pancho Sanza]

24. More like someone who has never been anywhere, ISTM

:eyes:

[DrDan]

32. I worked in Saudi for 4 years - and though never got to Yemen, worked

with several Yemeni's. The less populated parts of Saudi approach the climate of Yemen as tribes cross the borders pretty freely.

Guns are certainly considered differently in that part of the world. But the scary part is that we are migrating toward their gun attituds rather than vice versa.

[SteveM]

75. Correction: people call for BANS "and their profits go up." All better. nt

[Kingofalldems]

14. Road signs will be riddled with bullet holes now

At taxpayers expense.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. See? see ? see?

We told ya he was acomin' for 'em.

Fools wouldn't listen, would ya?.

[SteveM]

76. See? Told ya: Call for bans = more sales. You should consult for Glock. nt

[spanone]

17. ain't that america

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LemmingWarrior]

19. People have $500 dollars petty cash laying around

and these are the same people complaining about the taxes being too high but don't hesitate to buy another gun for their arsenal!?! Unbelievable.

[spin]

31. If an attempt was made to ban Glocks ...

the price would skyrocket overnight. Many people who were considering buying a Glock, which is an extremely popular firearm are probably wisely buying it at the lowest price it will be at for a while.

I predict Glocks and hi-cap magazines will be in short supply by the end of the week. This month will probably set new sales records for all firearms and even ammo.

As far as cash laying around, most people will just use a charge card. Handguns should retain their value in this environment and could be an excellent investment.

[LemmingWarrior]

33. So.....

have you bought yours yet?:yoiks:

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

38. WOOT! I got mine!

(I actually own this - no joke :7)

[LemmingWarrior]

51. Ooh, la, la

What an impressive gun you have there..... :wow:

Is that a silencer on your lovely gun? (*pretends to be knowledgeable* :eyes: )

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

61. Yeah, I guess...

Gemtech Tundra 9mm suppressor.

Gemtech has sales every spring around income tax time.
$200 off select suppressors. 2011 tax time is right around the corner. :)

[SteveM]

78. Nah, he's "just glad to see you!"

[spin]

39. No. I am not fond of Glocks ...

They are reliable and accurate and I have fired many of them at the range. I would recommend a Glock to anyone interested in a firearm.

I don't own one because they are UGLY. I call them Blocks.


Glock 19

I like pistols like the Colt .45.


Colt M1911 Gold Cup National Match


Just a matter of taste.

[PavePusher]

43. Hey Mister...!

Are your hands fondling my ivory-handled Colts?


Heck, someone had to say it... :evilgrin:

[RSillsbee]

46. The line was

" I hope your fingers aren't tickling my Ivory handled Colt. Just stand up real slow and you might live through this night."

[PavePusher]

52. Yeah, I knew I was bunging it up. Thanks for the fix!

Silverado, still one of the best (but still silly) Westerns ever made.

[spin]

56. I own a Colt Gold Cup National Match ...

but it has Pachmayr grips on it. I was looking for a picture with wood grips but I couldn't find one. The ivory grips look good but I bet they would be slippery on a hot day at the range.

[PavePusher]

59. I really like the Hogues, myself.

Although, sculpted wood is very nice as well.

[SteveM]

79. Hogues civilized my .357 Ruger Police Service Six. Jeez, the kick. nt

[RSillsbee]

44. I prefer CZs myself

And I have quite a few. I am going to pick up some ammunition though

[beevul]

58. Nope. Don't want one.

Thi is what I own. Mine has a model 96d recoil rod spring, and a skeletonized hammer and was massaged by ernest langdon a few years ago into a decent shooter.]

FWIW I don't own any high capacity mags or so called "assault weapons", nor do I have any interest in owning iether, but I don't support making them illegal what so ever.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

34. I checked with my favorite arms merchant over lunch and he said the run is on

He has none in stock and all those at his three distributors are gone too. The demand it starting to bleed over into other double stack 9mm handguns like Springfield Armory, Beretta and Sig, even the lower end lines like Taurus are starting to sell more actively. Here in CA mags over 10 rounds are banned, but there are lots of low capacity magazines available.

[spin]

40. Damn, it's only Tuesday. (n/t)

[Flyboy_451]

50. i am a bit confused by your comment...

Are you saying that it is your belief that someone who is in posession of $500 that they could spend as they please is not paying enough in taxes? If so, I would like to hear your rationale on this. I would also like to hear how you think this relates to the topic of firearms regulation.

Jw

[LemmingWarrior]

55. Certainly

Thanks, for asking Flyboy I can see that I should have been clearer in my first post, sorry. I find it difficult to understand most why those who are desperate to own as many guns as they can are generally the the same group who may also have a problem with paying taxes.

Now, I want you to understand that I would like to own just one gun for the protection of my family although we haven't actually bought one yet. But people who own more guns than they have hands to hold them seems odd to me. This doesn't include collectors of antique-type rifles I can understand admiring the craftsmanship of a hundred year old rifle. I'm referring to people who have a huge arsenal of high-powered firearms--what is the need for all that? But getting back to the tax thing--these same people will complain about paying taxes that help their fellow man/woman/child.

[Flyboy_451]

60. taxes vs. spending....

I think our views are likely to be very different on this issue. You seem to be advocating the idea that money paid in taxes for programs to help various people of less fortunate circumstances, is somehow a better investment than making a purchase of a firearm. I would argue that by giving that money to the government, it is very likely to be absorbed in the bureaucracy and fraud within the system and only a very small portion of it would even be usefully distributed. By purchasing a firearm, I am supporting the local shop which likely employs a few people. I am also supporting the distributor from which the shop orders it, as well as the shipping company that delivers it and the manufacturer that produces it. I would be willing to bet that a higher percentage of that $500 is utilized effectively, than if it were spent in taxes for government programs.

I am one of those people that think our taxes are too high. I work full time in law enforcement and also operate a private business that does quite well. I currently own over 250 firearms that are utilized for my business. Due to my income level, my take home pay after taxes is roughly 60% of what I earn. This is after investing tens of thousands of dollars into a private business attempting to grow.

I am not saying that government programs are not needed. What I AM saying is that between fraud and bureaucracy, they have become bloated to the point that they are not sustainable. I find it ludicrous that people think that money earned through my effort, skill, and investment should be taken in such volumes to be given to programs that waste billions annually. "Charity" of this sort is nothing more than government sanctioned robbery. When the government demonstrates a willingness to correct wasteful spending, I will reconsider my stance, but for the time being, I think my ability to utilize my money does more good than their ability to waste it.

Jw

[LemmingWarrior]

65. Curious to know

how you feel about the wasted money (trillions & trillions) for the preemptive strike on the sovereign country of Iraq which happened because of blatant lies about WMD. That money could have been used for healthcare many times over for each taxpaying American or it could have helped Americans with education, infrastructure repair and many other meaningful and needed programs.

Flyboy_451
"I find it ludicrous that people think that money earned through my effort, skill, and investment should be taken in such volumes to be given to programs that waste billions annually."

I just hope that you place blame for "wasted billions" squarely where it belongs.

[zinnisking]

66. kick

interesting conversation. I am curious as well. Flyboy didn't see your post though. So I am kicking it.

Many of the liberals on DU's sub-forms have some very interesting things to say. Very interesting.

[Flyboy_451]

68. sorry, but I did not see your post until this morning

To this day I stand by what I said prior to going to both Iraq and Afghanistan. If we go there, we will own it. Meaning that to engage in combat in either country will not be short lived. We will be there until the end of time in some manner or other. The decision to go to Iraq was not only a poor military decision, but also a very poor political decision. The cost in dollars and manpower have both been too high as I predicted that they would. There is no payoff for either endeavor.

As for where to put the blame. Simple, the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the American people in General. The people of America, as a whole, are very poorly educated on world politics and relations, as well as being fickle and reactionary. Couple this with the fact that we are incredibly arrogant with nothing to back it up. It does not surprise me that the war in Iraq was an easy sell to the American people. We were whipped into a frenzy following the attacks of 911, and the desire for vengeance was quite strong for the country in general. One of the things that sickened me most about that period in history was the way that American flags came out of the wood works. Why is it that it required such an event to get Americans to show the love of country displayed then, and why is it that many of these same "Patriots" are not flying a flag today?

We cry that government has encouraged business to move production overseas. But did government really do this without our approval? Think about this. We constantly complain about the cost of every day products and the lack of many people's ability to access various products and services, yet we also demand that unskilled labor positions pay large wages and benefits packages. Can you imagine how much many of the products we use daily would cost if they were made here in the U.S. by workers earning $20-$40/hour? This s what a lot of Americans think should be the case. Look at the auto industry as an example. Assembly line work is not exactly a highly skilled position, but it pays quite well, with very good benefit packages. This is only one of the many things that drive the cost of products upward, but it is a significant one. Why is it that we think that unskilled labor should be paid as much or more than those who have brought forth an idea, provided the capital, done the research and development, and in many cases worked for extended periods of time with little or no pay to bring a product or service to the market?

Just to be clear, I am not opposed to the working class, labor unions or the little guy. I employ a small, well compensated staff. Could I make the money that I do without this staff? no! But they are well paid with a benefit package that would make a lot of people jealous. My staff is aware though, that they must perform at a level that meets my standards, and anything less, will not be accepted. There is a mutual and equitable trade taking place. They perform at tough standards and are rewarded for their efforts. I will be the first to tell you that I take in more income than they do. I am also the one that has nearly my entire adult life invested in the business. I am the one that has put hundreds of thousands of dollars into it, as well and thousands of hours for which I was not compensated at a rate that even paid the bills. I am the one that took all of the risks. The biggest risk they face is the loss of a job, and the subsequent hardships associated with that. This is not a small risk, but it does not compare to the risk I am at should the business fail.

Contrast that with government. Our government spends with no regard for where the money comes from. Our national debt it increasing at a rate that is terrifying. Previous administrations did little or nothing to slow down this increase, and even accelerated it. Our current administration has gone on a spending spree as well. Government does not create jobs. What it can do, is help create an environment that makes it feasible for jobs to be created, and this is one area that both the previous and current administration have failed miserably at. And now, people like myself are the ones that the bill is being passed to.

My average work week is about 70 hours. My income is higher than most, but so is my risk. Should not the rewards be equal to the risk that one takes. Or possibly we should reward those who either can't produce or wont produce, at the expense of those who can and do. Once again, I am not opposed to providing help to those in need. But when these programs also help those that would utilize fraud rather than their own abilities, there is a problem. As long as those administrating the programs allow this fraud and waste to go unchecked, I will stand in opposition to the additional funding of such programs, as it only weakens the country as a whole. We are currently raising a generation of people that are more than happy to live by the means and abilities of others, rather than their own. Our current programs are riddled with fraud and waste. If we truly want to benefit the country as a whole, we have to change the way a lot of people think and act.

America cannot continue to pilfer from those who create wealth and give it to those who would take advantage of the system, and prosper for any length of time. People need to re-learn the values that allowed this country to grow from it's early beginning. This means showing people that their efforts are worth rewarding, by allowing them to prosper from their own efforts. It is time that the people of America start standing on their own feet and making a good life for themselves, rather than expecting others to make that life for them.

I supported the current administration because I hoped that Obama would truly bring changes such as transparency and a turning away from the practices in Washington that have brought us to this point. From what I have seen so far, I am unimpressed. It seems that business as usual will prevail in Washington. Backroom deals and carve outs for favored businesses, earmarks and wasteful spending, political agendas that have less to do with what is good for our country and more to do with pandering to special interests...At this point, it looks as if the game never changes, just the players.

JW

[SteveM]

77. Wanna lessen the "arsenal?" Stop calling for prohibition. nt

[SoCalNative]

23. Idiots

eom

[Pancho Sanza]

25. Was Gabby Giffords an idiot when she first bought her Glock...or just as of recently?

:eyes:

[RamboLiberal]

26. I'd bet the 30+ round mags are also flying off the shelf

And maybe being marked up in price.

Some don't stop and think the legislation may be talked about but will go nowhere in a Repub controlled house. Or in states with a Repub controlled legislature and/or governor except where they are already banned.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

35. None available from just about any source. They have all sold out

That is per my arms merchant. There may be some at the retail stores, but they will be pricey

[table1]

53. Have you checked CDNN investments

A friend called earlier they still had them

[ProgressiveProfessor]

62. I am not looking for one, but will pass it on to the dealer I spoke with

I send my self defense students to him...5% over cost.

[shadowrider]

27. I don't want a Glock. My hands are a bit too small

I want a Springfield XD .40. Now that's a gun.

[X_Digger]

30. Grip angle is better on an XD, too.

I know the glock purists will disagree.

[shadowrider]

41. Yup. It fits my hand like a glove n/t

[RamboLiberal]

45. Gen 4 Glocks have a smaller grip

There are add ons for bigger hands. I had an XD and the mag release was tough for me to reach. Nice gun though.

I like the way S&W M&P fits my hand and shoots. That's my main IDPA competition gun. I have a Gen 4 Glock 17 as my backup IDPA gun.

[table1]

54. Check out 4th gen

I believe the 4th gen glock has changable back straps

[ileus]

28. I can't decide on the G23 or G27 as my next pistol.

I really like the feel of the G23 rtf, but I like the size of the 27 for EDC.

[table1]

57. get both

[badtoworse]

64. What about a Browning Hi-Power in 9 mm?

Mine is stainless with the rubberized grip. It shoots nice, but my friend who owns a .40 cal Glock calls it a girl's gun

[benEzra]

81. The Browning is a nice gun. I'd rather have one of those than a 1911, actually.

This is a girl's gun, BTW...



It's also one of the best of all non-Performance-Center/TSW 3rd-gen S&W semiautos, methinks. I've certainly enjoyed shooting it.

[X_Digger]

69. I'm trying to find another news report that I either read or saw..

.. saying that the year over year spike actually started a couple of days before the shooting (based on NICS checks).