More people purchasing shotguns and handguns for self-defense then Assault Rifles during COVID 19

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The motive for the surge in purchases was completely different in these two cases. After Sandy Hook, people were worried that there would be a legislative ban on so-called "assault weapons." So, they went out and bought "assault weapons." Now, the motive is a perceived need for home defense, in view of a possible societal breakdown. So, people buy guns that are directly useful for home defense (and that are cheap and easy to use). The end result, though, is the same: a surplus of guns that will be a glut on the market once the crisis passes.
 
I think that it helps, firearms and ammo mfgs. from a slump, and swells the number of 2A advocates, if nothing else than people resent the government taking something from them. This also reflects Minnesota and the buying pattern may be different in other places.

For whatever reason, handguns and shotguns are also perceived as being easier to operate and less "threatening" than AR's. Both are also good choices for home defense--I just hope that they actually take them out and practice with them enough to ensure familiarity with them.
 
Aim1 said:
More people purchasing shotguns and handguns for self-defense then Assault Rifles during COVID 19
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Could it be that handguns and shotguns often being cheaper than ARs as one of many reasons why more people are buying pistols/shotguns?

FL-NC said:
Seems like we can only benefit from gaining more 2A advocates. Also these first-time buyers are putting more $ into businesses in their communities.
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I agree.

I don't see the downside of these first-time gun buyers:
  • They are spending money to help the economy, particularly shooting related industries - Win for us
  • Once they buy guns, they now have to buy ammunition, further helping the economy and shooting related industries - Another win for us
  • Some of them may want to modify/enhance their guns with accessories, further helping the economy and shooting related industries - More win for us
  • Some of them may continue to buy more guns, further helping the economy and shooting related industries - More win
  • Some of them may consider participating in shooting sports matches and competitions to realize they need to reload - Now helping the reloading component industry - Really big win for us
  • Some of them may share their new found interest/concern/fear with others to motivate them to buy guns, further helping the economy and shooting related industries - Subsequent "word of mouth" win for us
  • Few of them may become gun rights/2A activists and may vote pro gun/2A in future elections - Huge win for us
  • Because of these few gun rights/2A activists spreading the word on social media/Youtube/etc. (You know, they love to post their pictures and share), many more could become gun rights/2A activists at the detriment and agony of the antis - Really "feel good" win for us
  • Few of them may decide to not keep the guns after the coronavirus panic and sell them cheap - Good for some of us looking for deals
Did I miss any?

Duster340 said:
I welcome any and all folks interested in guns, shooting, and hunting into our hobby.
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Yes, as handguns and shotguns could be "gateway" guns to carbines and rifles like ARs and Pistol Caliber Carbines along with other types of guns.
 
Untrained people using pump shotguns for home defense sounds like a recipe for malfunctions. A semi auto is better for these people, especially women.

But for decades the "experts" behind the gun counter have propagated the 12 gauge as the best gun for any self defense situation and while the one shot stops show over 90% stop rates, there's a lot more than statistics involved with operating a shotgun effectively.

The people buying these shotguns are probably people who've never shot a gun before and the first time they shoot their boomstick they're going to put it down and never shoot a gun again.
 
Aim1 said: ↑
More people purchasing shotguns and handguns for self-defense then Assault Rifles during COVID 19
Could it be that handguns and shotguns often being cheaper than ARs as one of many reasons why more people are buying pistols/shotguns?
Click to expand...

Could also be an AR is more regulated in some areas; or that new folks have bought into the "fear and scary" part about an AR
 
TTv2 said:
But for decades the "experts" behind the gun counter have propagated the 12 gauge as the best gun for any self defense situation
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Yeppers. And I think television and movies have helped a lot in "propagating" that over the years.
I have a brother-in-law (my wife's brother) that has one gun - a 12 gauge, single-shot shotgun. I don't think he's ever fired it, but he bought it a long time ago for "self defense" for him and his wife. Once I actually heard him tell his wife, "You don't need to aim it. You just point a shotgun in the general direction and the 'buckshot' will spread out." I'm pretty sure my brother-in-law got that from TV and/or movies.:eek:
 
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TTv2 said:
Untrained people using pump shotguns for home defense sounds like a recipe for malfunctions. A semi auto is better for these people, especially women.

But for decades the "experts" behind the gun counter have propagated the 12 gauge as the best gun for any self defense situation
Click to expand...
When we lived in the city that experienced crime rate increase along with home invasion robberies by multiple armed gang members, we transitioned from pistols and shotgun to ARs and now 9mm PCCs with pistols as back up.

I will take 30+ rounds of 200 fps faster muzzle velocity from 16" PCCs over pistols and shotgun any day.

And my wife, so much easier to hit her targets fast point shooting with thumb forward with multiple follow up shots with PCCs, hands down.

New buyers of pistols and shotguns, when made aware of these facts will migrate/transition to ARs/PCCs also.
 
Friend of mine is the manager of a local pawn shop. He told me that when the panic began the first firearms to sell out were the NIB and used Hi Point pistols and carbines. Next were the shotguns and AR 15's and anything that resembled an AR 15. The few used Glock's and 1911's all sold within three days. He even sold the $4500 6" nickle Python that had in a display case for over two years. Surprisingly he sold just a few AK's and AK variants.
 
Texas10mm said:
If ya all think these people are going to be 2A advocates you're smoking rope.
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Keep in mind that all of us current gun owners and gun rights/2A activists used to be first time gun buyers and some of us used to be anti gun. ;)

For 25 years working for the state government, I worked with many liberal/progressive/feminists/LGBTQ/MGTOW anti-gun coworkers and over the years, saw many of them become gun owners and conceal carry permit holders because of increase in crime rate, personally becoming victims of crime or knew someone who was.

I personally trained hundreds of these coworkers and their families/friends/neighbors who were first time gun buyers and many who USED TO BE anti-gun. And most of people I have trained in defensive point shooting the past year that were first time gun buyers were mostly younger Millennial/Gen Z progressives.

During current coronavirus run on guns and ammo, please DO NOT alienate potential future gun rights/2A activists and consider welcoming them with open arms as our allies in our fight for gun rights/2A.

Thank you.

And no, I am not into smoking rope or dope.
 
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Agreed LiveLife. Over the years I've initiated many people to shooting and hunting that some folks here would categorically alienate as "snowflakes" based on the state they live in or their political leanings. Some now have more guns and are more active in shooting than me.. Go figure...
 
Texas10mm said:
There are members of this forum that aren't 2A supporters.
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A few ... ;) ... And I know who some of them are. :D

Duster340 said:
I've initiated many people to shooting and hunting that some folks here would categorically alienate as "snowflakes" based on the state they live in or their political leanings. Some now have more guns and are more active in shooting than me.. Go figure...
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Some of us used to be "snowflakes" ... in our younger days :eek:
 
My millenial son and his liberal girlfriend are snowflakes. Live in Seattle and drink the Kool-Aid. When they visited the family cabin a couple of years ago, I brought one of my ARs and a couple of other pistols. They had a blast shooting them all and we had a good discussion about gun control. They still voted for politicians that want to take away my guns. *sigh*
 
"Once they buy guns, they now have to buy ammunition"
I can't even begin to imagine the minuscule number of rounds I've sold with guns over the last 3 weeks that will ever leave their box or come into intimate contact with a firearm. I wouldn't count on the vast majority of new/recent gun owners ever becoming "active shooters". Please pardon the odd use of that common phrase.
 
One comment I have heard from several gun shops why shotguns are selling (the "tactical" shorter barreled ones) is that in Minnesota you can purchase a shotgun (or long gun) with no waiting period or Permit to Purchase. Just fill out the 4473 and take the shotgun home that day. You need a Permit to Purchase (or waiting period) to buy a handgun or "Assault Rifle". The the gun shop owners have stated most of the first time buyers are not aware of that and several were very angry they could not buy a handgun and take it home that day!

I agree, shotguns are typically cheaper than AR's which is important for a first time buyer that just wants "something" to protect themselves.

I worry about how these first time buyers handle the new firearms without any training and how the firearms will be stored after this virus is over. Training is not allowed at this time in Minnesota due to the "Stay at Home" and "Social Distancing" executive orders in MN.
 
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