Gun supplies drying up?

[Quoheleth]

I went to the north Carters Country today (Houston, TX area) - haven't been to their south or west stores before, but it's considerably larger than the Pasadena store. While I choke a bit on their prices, I've always enjoyed window shopping, and on those rare slow days, talking with a couple sales reps who seem to know their stuff "better than average."

Today, "slow" didn't begin to describe it. There were probably a dozen vehicles in the parking lot. Couple shooters outside (this is the store with the gun range) were banging away - mostly rifle, from the sound of the gunfire. Inside, it was a ghost town. I only saw three, maybe four folks working - and one was the Big Cheese himself (VERY helpful while I was looking at reloading stuff).

I was surprised, though, at their pistol cabinets. Usually they have dozens of used pistols, ranging from Bersa to Sigs and everything in between. I can only recall about a half-dozen used guns that weren't Glocks. Lots of their new stuff was out of stock, too. And it wasn't just one caliber or brand...it was across the boards! Ironically, their long-gun racks seemed pretty full.

Is this a sign of the times - slowing economy? Has everyone already used their "rebate checks?" Or is this a problem on the supplier-side? I wonder if that's the case because Academy said they are having problems getting a couple guns in - including the elusive CZ 75B and P01.

Curious...

Q

 

[bogie]

Nope.

It's a symptom of an election that looks like a Democrat will win.

Why?

Because the gun community is fractured, and not a viable political force in this election.

And why is that?

We've got folks who've succumbed to seven years of "anyone but a Bush or a Republican" that has been the prevalent message in the media. They've been screaming for change for the past seven years (and I'm guessing that Hillary's wondering how her message got co-opted by Obama...).

We've got folks announcing that they're not gonna vote. We've got folks announcing that they're gonna write in protest candidates.

Congrats, guys - you're giving them what they want.

And this next time, their "assault weapons ban" isn't going to be about cosmetic features, like flash suppressors or bayonet lugs, or even specific models or magazine sizes - it's just going to just ban an entire class of firearm.

And they aren't gonna grandfather 'em either - that stack of AK-47s some of you have squirreled away is NOT going to turn from $350 each to $1,000 each - It's going to turn from $350 each to 10 years each.

 

[RP88]

if we're such a fractured force, then I guess all of the repeals and small victories we've had in the past two years are worthless flukes. All of the momentum, strike-downs, and everything else leading up to this Summer never happened, right?

Keep in mind how many pro-gun states there are compared to anti-gun states - regardless of political efficacy from the candidates. If alot of the house wants to be incumbant come the next house election, then they'll leave guns the hell alone at this point.

also, I havent seen any dry-ups at all. But then again, I'm in Virginia, not Cali.

 

[NetJunkie]

People are buying. I think it's partly due to elections. My favorite shop is a good sized shop around here. The other Saturday they had their busiest day ever in 50 years. I was told they averaged selling a gun every *6* minutes for the entire day.

Their shelves are starting to look bare due to the demand.

 

[Niner]

Maybe people are seeing their mad money for guns and other things of the want not need class being spent at the gas pump.

The political candidates don't see the oil prices as an issue they can do anything about it seems.

 

[hnk45acp]

There was a thread about how gun shows have been going gangbusters with everyone buying so maybe it's a bit of a pre-election panic buying. Surprising with the economy they way it is.

 

[bogie]

Oh yeah, we're fractured...

We could post a poll here, if our mods wouldn't pull it, listing the following choices:

Hillary/Obama
McCain
Huckabee
Paul
Thompson
Mickey Mouse

I will guar-an-damn-tee you that huck/paul/thomspon/rat will get over 5%. And that 5% will put Hilbama over the top.

Heck, we'd probably even get a few folks here who'll vote Hilbama... And then they'll wonder why...

 

[doc2rn]

The rat has more ethics than politicians.

On topic however I have seen alot of expensive guns being traded in on Glocks and Sigs. My local store has a whole case of Colt .45s not really priced to move. Not to mention I have seen Beretta shotguns being traded on CZ .22 lrs and C&R rifles that we can find ammo for still (mostly 7.62x 54R).
I have not seen anything new in this town since a local FFL got back from the shot show.

 

[jdc1244]

FWIW the gun shop/range I frequent in Tampa is always full of people, the used gun cases are full, and there’s always a full complement of staff. It was very crowed last Friday night. My work allows me to go in the middle of the afternoon (trying to avoid the crowd at the range) and it’s fairly busy even then. CZ 75Bs are available new and used.

As for the politics of it I don’t know – I already own the ‘banable’ guns I want and I’m keeping them regardless.

 

[.cheese.]

I think this is overstated. Locally there hasn't been much extra activity from what I hear.

 

[Richard.Howe]

The political candidates don't see the oil prices as an issue they can do anything about it seems.

We either believe in a free market economy, or we don't. Politician-assisted lassiez faire is a ridiculous illusion.

Yes, supplies seem to be drying up specifically wrt EBRs and AKs, at least in my usual haunts.

Rich

 

[theP8riot]

I was at my favorite fun store today and it was packed. This was 2:30 in the afternoon. I thought people worked during the week.

I didn't notice and shortages of anything. Multiple EBR's of different types and tons of handguns, used and new. I even put a nice LNIB S&W 66 on layaway.

 

[bluetopper]

People are getting their income tax money back now and all the little shops/dealers are telling me they can't hardly get hold of any used guns to sell. Folks are holding on to their guns now as opposed to the past.

 

[welldoya]

I agree with Parisite. I've been watching the classifieds and the local "Shopper" for years. 15 or 20 years ago there were times when I was buying a gun per week. Great deals on great guns. I noticed a few years ago that guns just aren't showing up like they used to. People are hanging onto them because they don't know if they will be able to replace them down the road.

 

[ccd]

My LGS that I frequent also had its best month ever(financially and # of guns) last month, and its been around for decades. Don't know if it economic, tax refunds, fears,etc. Historically crime rates have gone up during economic slowdowns. That and a combination of who our future POTUS might be probably have people buying stuff while they can afford it or can buy it. His used handgun section used to be well stocked, but now he gets something used in and it is guaranteed gone within a week.

 

[TCB in TN]

Locally the post Christmas used gun market is usually big on sellers and short on buyers. Much of that comes from the small town red-neck habbit of buying big at Christmas and trying to pay the bills off later. This year though, it sure seems to be different. There are just not many guns out there, and not many buyers either. I usually get calls from lots of guys I personally know wanting to sell a hunting rifle or shotty, to get a few extra bucks (they will usually buy a replacement before huntin season), but this year I just am not hearing a thing. I have actually been lookin to buy a couple of common guns recently and haven't even found any for sale (at least not outside of the pawn and gun shops). People seem to be broke but holding on to their guns this year.

 

[luzyfuerza]

One factor (here at least) is that pawn shops are now required to do background checks on patrons who redeem guns that they've pawned. Since some people who use pawn shops can't pass a background check, they're not pawning their guns any more, and pawn shops have fewer unredeemed guns to sell on the used market.

 

[Starship1st]

News paper in Tucson has dried up with any usd gun sales or even ads from gun shops? I thought that I just wasn't looking in the right sections but when I do find the gun section there is never any guns?

 

[asknight]

Some of the companies are gearing up to make runs of the weapons they just displayed at SHOT last month. I know, they should have done that already(!) but they seem to like to gauge interest before committing to manufacture a certain number of items. I'm sure this will hiccup normal production lines a bit.

 

[GlowinPontiac]

Ive noticed the same thing around here (CT) not to the extent the OP experienced but less used guns nonetheless. I think that more people are becoming shooters which means that when dear old grandpa passes on his guns wont be sold off but instead kept and used by his family. Also after the Cheshire home invasion/murders the owner of a local gun store told me that his CCW classes were filling up fast and sales of hanguns and home defense shotguns were soaring.

Im sure the upcoming elections also play their part as the black rifles seem to be moving more briskly than usual as well. Too bad this state already bans AK's.........

 

[BlazingAngel01]

I just Upgraded my Ar for the Election.

If a new AWB was to pass do you have to turn it in or is it Grandfathered?Does that include mags and anything in the ban?Just wondering.

 

[HK G3]

I can't imagine any politician legitimately trying to pass a ban that required weapons to be turned in.

It just seems like political suicide in this country.

 

[bogie]

Wanna bet?

They saw what didn't work with the previous AWB.

They're at least marginally intelligent. They will attempt to plug the "loopholes."

They do not play like you do.

Do not fight the war like it is 1776, and you're the Brits...

 

[Titan6]

If anyone is more fractured than the Democrats right now I don't know who it is. They have a clear split.

 

[bogie]

Oh, and the "conservative right" has about a half a dozen...

Ron Paul is still getting 4-5 percent in Republican primaries. That's enough to give it to Hilbama right there. Add in the Huckabee crowd, who seems to think that there's gonna be a miracle in jeezusland, and things start to get interesting. I'm guessing that what is normally the Republican vote will go 90% to McCain, and 10% off into the wild blue yonder...

I suspect that he'll catch some defectors from the Democrats, folks who just aren't going to be able to stand Hilbama, but I'm thinking that the guys who'll abstain/write in will cinch it for 'em...