It is nuts, but whats even more nuts is people are paying that, otherwise they'd lower there prices.
I for one totally agree that the prices are ridiculous. BUT, you better believe if I currently owned a colt AR15 it would have immediatley been on gunbroker with a 4k reserve as soon as the buying panic started. Same if I owned a gunshop all more evil weapons would see a sudden price increase. Same with the favorite hoarding calibers. Its not gouging its recognizing market conditions.
I will admit it is very annoying for those of us actually in the market for a new gun, but patience will prevail, I seriously doubt anything that is legal now will be illegal before the next congressional elections.