So, I'm a gun owner. Not a 'collector' but I've got a few and I've had a few. Some of you heard about the mall shooting here in Portland on Tuesday before the school shooting on Friday of last week -- it was a crazy week wasn't it?
A couple of things. First, I happened to be shopping for my next piece on the day of our local mall murders, but I didn't even know about it till I walked into the gun shop and heard them talking about it. Since then, I've been trying to buy the gun I want, but I can't because there are too many people.
The closest shop to me is a well known spot no bigger than a single room that is about 70x40 feet in size. When I drove over there two days ago there was a line of people out the door, probably 100 or more in the shop. There was a cop directing traffic, and the local businesses were selling parking tickets for people coming to the gun shop. There were about 5-6 cars waiting for an opening to park. I parked a few blocks away and went in, even though I knew I wouldn't want to try to negotiate a trade or make a purchase with that line, I just wanted to see what was going on.
Nothing. No sale, in fact the prices were higher than they were last week. When I walked in I saw three different people I knew who were there independently of one another. I only knew one of them to be a gun owner previous to this.
Another friend of mine reported the same scene at another shop across town.
Now I'm reading that mags and AR's are selling out at Walmart. (Some how, that is scary to me...)
Anyway, let me say this. I'm a fan of the 2nd Amendment, so.... As bad as it is to make any decision as a result of a knee-jerk reaction; dropping a grand on an AR just because you're scared of the Democrats and because you've seen that type of gun in movies is pretty messed up.
If I may make a sweeping generalization, I would bet that a fair number of those people are first time buyers who are probably going on credit to make the purchase. If this is the case, you are stupid. Gun ownership should begin with a decision of an acceptance of deep responsibility. I'm happy to see more people armed for self defense, for fun, and simply because it is a protected right. But I'm a bit wary of the caliber of specimens who may be buying whatever caliber they can get their hands on, just because they got all emotional or gave into their Pavlovian response when Obama hinted at new restrictions.
A couple of things. First, I happened to be shopping for my next piece on the day of our local mall murders, but I didn't even know about it till I walked into the gun shop and heard them talking about it. Since then, I've been trying to buy the gun I want, but I can't because there are too many people.
The closest shop to me is a well known spot no bigger than a single room that is about 70x40 feet in size. When I drove over there two days ago there was a line of people out the door, probably 100 or more in the shop. There was a cop directing traffic, and the local businesses were selling parking tickets for people coming to the gun shop. There were about 5-6 cars waiting for an opening to park. I parked a few blocks away and went in, even though I knew I wouldn't want to try to negotiate a trade or make a purchase with that line, I just wanted to see what was going on.
Nothing. No sale, in fact the prices were higher than they were last week. When I walked in I saw three different people I knew who were there independently of one another. I only knew one of them to be a gun owner previous to this.
Another friend of mine reported the same scene at another shop across town.
Now I'm reading that mags and AR's are selling out at Walmart. (Some how, that is scary to me...)
Anyway, let me say this. I'm a fan of the 2nd Amendment, so.... As bad as it is to make any decision as a result of a knee-jerk reaction; dropping a grand on an AR just because you're scared of the Democrats and because you've seen that type of gun in movies is pretty messed up.
If I may make a sweeping generalization, I would bet that a fair number of those people are first time buyers who are probably going on credit to make the purchase. If this is the case, you are stupid. Gun ownership should begin with a decision of an acceptance of deep responsibility. I'm happy to see more people armed for self defense, for fun, and simply because it is a protected right. But I'm a bit wary of the caliber of specimens who may be buying whatever caliber they can get their hands on, just because they got all emotional or gave into their Pavlovian response when Obama hinted at new restrictions.
