Does anyone worry about their guns being worthless?

[Huskerguy]

The way things are going these days in our government, I don't rule anything out. I never thought I would see what I am now seeing, it is like out of a movie and I am nearly 60 years old so I have seen a lot.

The question is, given the worst case scenario - they outlaw guns, does anyone worry that your entire collection could be worthless overnight by the stroke of a pen or declaring martial law?

Does that concern affect anyone thinking of adding more to their collections. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer but it seems this is where everything is headed someday, maybe not soon but who knows.

 

[mljdeckard]

Not in the least. Should such a thing happen, cash equity would be at the VERY bottom of my list of worries.

 

[Fast Frank]

Agree.

If it did happen "At the stroke of a pen", my guns would instantly become both worthless and the most important tool I have.

I hope that day doesn't come in my lifetime.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Doesn't bother me, they will still work for their intended purpose. Given your supposition, it would certainly make for some interesting times...... but firearms would still have plenty of value and use! I was able to go shooting today and made many holes within an 8" circle at 100 yards with my flinter and emptied a 10 round magazine of .22 LR through my Buckmark in a 1" circle at 15' so I am not worried.

 

[jonnyc]

That stroke of a pen that you mention would also instantly create a very lucrative black market. I'm sure that's something that powers above my pay-grade would like to avoid.

 

[beatledog7]

If my guns become illegal, their real value will surface.

 

[jamesjames]

I get super annoyed by talk like this "stroke of a pen" stuff. We have a government operating in three co-equal branches, and even if you don't like the president, you still have SCOTUS and the Legislative Branch which are representatives of the people.

Thinly veiled and implied talk of big bad President Obama coming to take your guns away is pure chicken poop. This is The High Road, right? Lets not go there.

 

[mljdeckard]

As long as you ALSO realize, we are one senate majority vote away from being party to the U.N. Small Arms Treaty.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

holy cow. talk about hand-wringing.

 

[bigfatdave]

The question is, given the worst case scenario - they outlaw guns, does anyone worry that your entire collection could be worthless overnight by the stroke of a pen or declaring martial law?

Heh.
I think the value will go UP, myself.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Not only will they not become worthless but there's no telling what you will be able to trade your spare guns and ammo for.

I figure a M1 Carbine and a hundred rounds will get me a horse.

 

[TennJed]

I don't really look at my guns in terms of their monetary value. I know I have a lot invested in them and it is nice to know that they are items that hold value. But to me they mean more than money, and if the situation in the OP happened there is a lot more going on to worry about.

 

[303tom]

No way, they could never become worthless. They could become illegal, but that would make them worth more on the black market / underground.................

 

[readyeddy]

More likely that our currency will become worthless.

 

[xxjumbojimboxx]

Hopefully... at that point... well all see the true values of our guns and put them to good use...

 

[defjon]

even when handguns were turned in over in the UK, owners were reimbursed. This in a country without a 2A.

 

[Rob G]

Worthless? Nah I don't think so. A gun is a very useful sort of tool and no matter what the government might try they'll always be worth a fair bit.

As long as you ALSO realize, we are one senate majority vote away from being party to the U.N. Small Arms Treaty.

Um...the Senate can vote to ratify it if they want, any part of it that violates the constitution is unenforcable. You also have to consider that in order to carry out the provisions of such, assuming that the government tried, you'd need funding. All appropriations bills have to start in the house and as of right now I think we have that pretty locked down.

 

[tarosean]

No way, they could never become worthless. They could become illegal, but that would make them worth more on the black market / underground.................

This...


We just saw 700 dollar AR's going for 2-4 times their actual worth and they weren't actually threatened.

 

[Ignition Override]

Their steps will probably be very low profile, in the eyes of the indifferent public, other than when they exploit senseless tragedies.

They might accomplish much more, as very seasoned gun owners have stated elsewhere, by gradually passing numerous laws, such as slapping high taxes or tariffs on imported ammo (if not first banning-too obvious), then gun parts kits from certain countries.

The public would never even be aware of this, even after many prohibitions accumulate.
Notice the similarity to how Ho Chi Minh's group and other Communist-I mean 'national liberation' groups-gradually gained power over many decades?

It is a very long-term process. Same situation with the US gun grabbers who have contempt for various parts of the US Constitution. Their ultimate goals might require decades of added steps.

 

[hso]

given the worst case scenario - they outlaw guns

Not worth worrying about since it ain't never happening in my lifetime.

 

[mljdeckard]

The control of the house is no safer than not having the votes to ratify it in the senate.

And if you think the courts are a protection, you need to read "Men in Black" by Mark R. Levin.

 

[Kayaker 1960]

Reality check

A little Google Fu turned up these numbers;

As of 1/31/13 the USA had 1,429,995 active duty soldiers. Realize that aprox. 4 out of 5 of those are in support positions, not combat soldiers.

850,880 Active reserve soldiers. The same 4 out of 5 ratio applies.
794,300 police officers.

Total, a bit over 3 million
The US has 47-53 million households with guns. 70-80 million adults own guns.

I'm not worried.

 

[Impureclient]

Thinly veiled and implied talk... is pure chicken poop. This is The High Road, right? Lets not go there.

The best defense is a good offense does not work in this case. Open mouth, insert foot. The threat the OP brings up is real, deal with it. The threat being an overzealous narcissistic man child who dreams of dictatorship.

 

[javjacob]

I would think a civil war would start over guns before all the gun owners hand over their guns. the gun owners out number the antis by a lot... and... we have guns... its hard to fight a war with no guns.

 

[bigfatdave]

As long as you ALSO realize, we are one senate majority vote away from being party to the U.N. Small Arms Treaty.

I aknowledge the problems we have with congressthings on a national level.

... BUT ... which member of the Senate will slap on a blue helmet and come MAKE ME comply with the UN arms treaty?