Gun Buying Panic!

Over the past several weeks there has been increased talk of gun control. Restrictions on who can have guns and what kind of guns people can have. It is a hard cold fact that many people have began to go into a gun buying panic. They have developed a deep need to have a tactical weapon before they are no longer legal.

My son has a friend up to stay with us for a few weeks. He expressed his desire to get an assault weapon(tactical weapon). He has never owned a gun in his life.  He has never fired one. He is of legal age to purchase a rifle and has the money to do so.

Because the gun show was in town and I frequently go to the gun show we decided to check it out. The night before the gun show we talked about the weapons he may want. I encouraged him to check out the 22cal weapons that were bolt, lever, or pump action. This way he could train with a weapon that was less complex. He would be able to learn to aim the weapon, care for it and become familiar with safe weapon handling. He listened to my advice and we planned our gun show visit.

On the morning of the gun show we left with plenty of time to arrive and see the gun show. There is generally very little waiting to get in and plenty of time to talk to the vendors to learn about the products they sell.

As we neared the exhibition hall I could see a lot of people walking from the overflow parking lot. It was a bit shocked to see the regular parking lot full at the time the gun show was to open. We parked in the overflow parking lot and made our way with a large number of people to the gun show. As we arrived we found the line to purchase tickets was the full length of the building. The line to get into the show was just as long. So we waded through the first line and then the second line to get in. It took over an hour.

Inside the exhibit hall I could feel the tension. People were standing 4 to 5 deep all along the tables of every gun seller. There was a long line of people in front of the ammo sellers. By the time we arrived there was no ammo for 22ca, .223cal, 9mm, or any round that could be put into a tactical weapon. I was able to look at some of the prices of the tactical weapons that were still available when we arrived.  I was a little shocked to see most of the prices were 2 times higher than they were only a few weeks ago and some were 3 times as much. Before 1:00pm when we left many of the gun and ammo vendors were running out of merchandise.

Never before have I experienced the gun buying panic I saw that day. It was not that people suddenly needed a tactical weapon. They were now afraid they would not be able to get the one they wanted. Because of the sudden increase in demand there followed a sudden increase in price.

It is never a good idea to make any purchase when there is a panic on.

So we checked a few of the sporting good stores and checked prices. We found that the regular 22ca rifles were nearly the same price they have always been. It was the tactical weapons that were now in demand.

My sons friend determined to wait a bit to buy his gun. He had recognised he had been caught up in a panic to get some thing before they were no longer available.

It is always a good idea to study the situation, review the product and make an informed choice before you make a purchase. Especially if it is a weapon. NEVER MAKE A DECISION OR BUY SOMETHING IF IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH SOME KIND OF PANIC. Plan ahead for your needs and buy thing when they are on sell. You will have a lot more cash if you avoid buying things when they are the most expensive.

Until there is some kind of decision on if and how gun control laws will change I think this panic will continue.