Handgun Production Lowest in 22 Years

[Drizzt]

Handgun Production Lowest in 22 Years
3/6/2003

Press Release
Violence Policy Center
1140 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
www.vpc.org

Contact:
Naomi Seligman
Phone: 202-822-8200

Latest Edition of Firearms Production in America Shows Handgun Production in 2000 was Lowest Since 1978

Washington, DC - The Violence Policy Center (VPC) today (Wednesday) released the latest edition of Firearms Production in America which details gun production in the United States from 1975 to 2000. The report reveals that in 2000 (the most recent year for which data is available) 1,282,000 handguns were produced in the United States, the fewest since 1978.

The bi-annual 213-page publication lists every domestic manufacturer that produced more than 1,000 firearms in any given year by federal licensee name or most commonly known trade or product name. For handguns, manufacturing information is broken out by type (pistol or revolver) and caliber. For long guns, manufacturing information is broken out by rifle or shotgun. Information contained in the study was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Firearms Production in America is an indispensable tool for anyone seeking information on gun industry production and distribution. It is an essential reference for: the news media; elected officials; public health professionals; firearm researchers; attorneys, victims, and municipalities involved in firearms litigation; and the growing number of public interest organizations and individuals who have become involved in the effort to reduce firearms violence in America.

For a copy of the latest edition of Firearms Production in America contact Naomi Seligman at (202) 822-8200 x105 or visit the VPC's website at www.vpc.org.
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nothing much for them to brag about there. the economy's down a bit, so people may have less money for the new stuff, and may be browsing the used selections.

Also, I'm just waiting for something really cool and tactical-like to come out before I buy my next gun.

 

[El Tejon]

So there's less disposable income when the economy's tight? Wow, that's insightful, VPC. Thanks a lot.

Looks like I'll have to make up some the slack. Maybe I'll buy a couple of guns and send them the receipt this weekend!

 

[Battler]

They've generally been going after manufacturers with all the safety crap, etc. - end users don't seem to get as political over that, and get scared to the polls.

Guns sales ARE down. Who buys guns? What does it take to wear them out? They last a long time, and the gun buyers are generally older guys.

Let's face it - gun ownership (particularly handguns) is about as politically correct as a Klan rally. Gunowner demonization is working.


Battler.

 

[Preacherman]

Note the VPC's careful wording:

The report reveals that in 2000 (the most recent year for which data is available) 1,282,000 handguns were produced in the United States, the fewest since 1978.

(Bold print, my emphasis.) Internal firearms production is declining due to the ever-growing volume of imported firearms. SIG? - import. Glock? - import. Taurus? - import. Steyr? - import. Tikka? - import. Blaser? - import. The list goes on and on... The VPC is attempting to imply that people are buying fewer handguns, but the reality is they're buying as many as ever - just choosing imported handguns at an ever-increasing rate.

 

[Old Fuff]

Freedom Of Information Act my foot. This information is compiled by the ATF because a 10% tax at the manufacturer level is involved. It can be obatined by checking their web site. The Brady Bunch lie even when they don't have too.

 

[Standing Wolf]

The Brady Bunch lie even when they don't have too.

Leftist extremist so-called "gun control" is a lie, so what's a few hundred thousand lies more or less?

 

[El Tejon]

Preacher, please, we're Americans. We make the best guns on the planet!

 

[Greg L]

Most of the LE agencies have completed the switch over from wheel guns to autos. Not a whole lot of reason to buy an entirely new set every couple of years.

Greg

 

[Dave R]

OK, who here is not holding up their end?

 

[Blackhawk]

Preacherman nailed it.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Handguns by the numbers 1989 vs. 1999

1989 Pistols Manufactured 1,402,660
1989 Revolvers Manufactured 628,765
1989 Handguns Imported 440,132

Total = 2,471,557
____________________________________

1999 Pistols Manufactured 995,446
1999 Revolvers Manufactured 335,784
1999 Handguns Imported 308,052

Total = 1,639,282

Firearms Commerce in the United States

 

[.45Ruger]

You guys know what this means don't you? It means we better start buying more guns and getting everyone we know to buy guns to.

 

[ahadams]

.45 Ruger is right. Also when one recalls that Pete Shields - the original 'fearless leader' of what became the brady bunch predicted that a handgun ban would take 'about a decade' in the the late '60's and early '70's only a million plus in one year would seem to me another instance of the brady bunch trying to declare victory and go home after getting their rear ends kicked! Remember they got on television after the 02 election and claimed THAT was a victory for gun control. They were in MD at the time, which means they were hallucinating that they were either in IL or HI, as those seemed to be the only states where that was actually true.

 

[Boats]

No Ravens, Jennings or Lorcins like in 1989, what'd you expect?

 

[telewinz]

Preacherman is right...

With the importation of quality pistols and and "value priced" surplus firearms, American manufacturers of firearms and ammunition are facing stiff competition. Probably over half the firearms I have purchased were made overseas and althrough I reload, 75% of the ammo I buy is surplus. We are re-living the "golden age" of the 50's and 60's with inexpensive ammo and low priced surplus firearms. With inflation taken into account, ammo is cheaper now than in the 60's. It won't last forever.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Another reason for a decrease in production is that we now have entire states, such as California and Maryland, that only allow "approved" handguns to be brought in and sold. If someone wants a particular non-approved model while living inside that area, they are forced to track down a used gun already there.

There is also the S&W boycott and the don't want the paperwork trail folks who only buy used guns. Lots more tin-foil hats now than pre-Klinton.

The late 80s, early 90s also saw the mass defection from 9mm by law enforcement agencies that went to larger caliber sidearms. In addition to raising production, this flooded the market with police trade-ins that are still floating around today.

 

[LiquidTension]

I dunno, it is entirely possible that fewer guns are being purchased. Think about it this way:

Older shooters eventually stop buying guns. Who replaces these people? Youngsters? Hardly. After most kids go through their mandatory liberal brainwashing in the public education system, they'd rather spend their money on sandals and peace symbol necklaces. I'm sure there are fewer young people today that are interested in shooting than there were say, 20 years ago. Look at the thread with the poll about ages on this board. The distribution should be strongly skewed in favor of the younger people, since we are the "internet generation," but instead it's fairly even. This tells me that firearms ownership is more popular with the older crowd. It is likely that a higher percentage of the young shooters out there is present here.

Now guys, there's only so much I can do. I'm 22 and I've got 6 firearms - all of which save one have been bought in the past 3 years. There are also 2 others that I've gotten rid of. Now I'm dirt poor (my free tech school education provided by our new state lottery cost me $2800 last year, all out of my pocket - this is what happens when Democrats make education expenditure decisions ) and can't buy any guns for a while. I've converted two people this year, both of which will be buying handguns when they have the funds. I'm doing my bit for the cause, but dang it, I need help.

The solution? Somebody is just gonna have to buy the guns that I can't afford to buy. Sorry.

 

[Kharn]

I wouldnt be surprised if everyone's buying the black rifles instead of handguns at the present time.

Kharn

 

[Waitone]

Lemme see here.

Calendar year 2000 is at the tail end of Clinton's regi. . . . .er, presidency. It is also one year before 2001 and all the festivities of that year.

Yea, I buy it depending upon the source of information. If it was picked off the ATF stats and not manipulated then I buy it. If it was based on VPC doing telephone surveys with domestic producers, then I question it.