Slog
News & ArtsThursday, September 24, 2009
Panic Lock and Load Up
Posted by Grant Brissey on Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Hey everybody—that communist Barack Obama and his fascist democratic regime are totally still gonna take away your right to bear arms 'cause you heard it on talk radio! Fuck you.
The Remington Arms Company's factory in North Carolina is now working around the clock trying to supply insatiable demand for rifle, pistol and shotgun cartridges."We've had to add a fourth shift and go 24-7," Remington spokesman Al Russo told the news wire. "It's a phenomenon that I have not seen before in my 30 years in the business."
The shortages are so bad that retail globocorp Wal-Mart has been forced to introduce rationing at the ammo counter in many of its stores. Depending on calibre, customers may be limited to purchases of just 50 rounds at a time. Apparently, classic .45 ACP pistol ammunition is especially scarce - a fairly good indication that it is in fact conservative Middle America rather than, say, inner-city criminals buying up all the ammo.
According to the National Rifle Association, America's pro-guns lobby, the people of the USA normally buy about 7 billion cartridges a year (an average of 23 rounds per head). The past year has seen that figure jump to 9 billion. The FBI reports a 25 per cent climb in background checks made prior to gun sales.
The ammo rush has been dubbed the "Obama effect" by gun-industry people, but in fact there is no sign at present of any particularly aggressive move towards stricter federal gun laws.
H/T: the Register
2
This is really just NRA/Gun Industry business promotions. Ammo sales went up similarly prior to Y2K, and in '93 when lead shot was legislated near-to-death. It's extra high right now due to economic woes and cheaper ammo prices.
3
Oops, I mean... OMG THERE RACISTS I SWEEAR 2 GOD!!! THEY ARE SO STUPID AND DONT KNOW WHAT SOCIALIZM IS. THEY HATE OBAMA!
6
So Grant are we to believe that we can completely relax that not only the Obama administration, but the Democratically controlled congress, led by the anti gun whack job Nancy Pelosi will NEVER try to seize on the opportunity to further restrict gun rights, gun ownership, or any other measure related to guns, including efforts to back door create new laws related to ammunition stamping, local level right to carry restrictions, re-enactment of the Brady Bill et al?
Really?
So all of these people getting in ahead of these never to be happening attempts are just foolish?
Really?
So to be clear... you can categorically state without reservation that no new attempts at restricting the 2nd Amendment will be undertaken.
Correct?
"There is no sign at present of any particularly aggressive move ...
Well gee golly... I guess that means all those folks should just trust the Democratic Party! They have a loooooooooong history of not making any agressive moves in this area.
Any thoughts on why they haven't moved more aggressively? Hmmm? Maybe because of their rabid unpopularity regarding current legislation on the table, and the upcoming 2012 elections?
No Democratic senator in peril of losing his office will vote to enact more gun control. Maybe you should read Dan's earlier blog today? They want to remain in office, and will not in any fashion support legislation that will raise the ire of the voters.
Without that fact hanging over their heads, gun legislation would have already been moving full steam ahead ...
And Gun owners are not fooled in the least and are well aware of this fact.
Really?
So all of these people getting in ahead of these never to be happening attempts are just foolish?
Really?
So to be clear... you can categorically state without reservation that no new attempts at restricting the 2nd Amendment will be undertaken.
Correct?
"There is no sign at present of any particularly aggressive move ...
Well gee golly... I guess that means all those folks should just trust the Democratic Party! They have a loooooooooong history of not making any agressive moves in this area.
Any thoughts on why they haven't moved more aggressively? Hmmm? Maybe because of their rabid unpopularity regarding current legislation on the table, and the upcoming 2012 elections?
No Democratic senator in peril of losing his office will vote to enact more gun control. Maybe you should read Dan's earlier blog today? They want to remain in office, and will not in any fashion support legislation that will raise the ire of the voters.
Without that fact hanging over their heads, gun legislation would have already been moving full steam ahead ...
And Gun owners are not fooled in the least and are well aware of this fact.
7
The fucked-up thing is that when the whole 'Obama's black gestapo will steal our guns' conspiracy doesn't come to pass, these nuts will rationalize that their gun-buying patriotism is what held it off.
It's the same thing they did with Obama's school speech; there's absolutely no burden of proof on the speculation that 'he changed the speech when we started making a fuss' and there's no way around that kind of lunacy. One can only hope all this crap just runs out of steam like a bratty toddler coming down from a sugar-high-induced tantrum...
It's the same thing they did with Obama's school speech; there's absolutely no burden of proof on the speculation that 'he changed the speech when we started making a fuss' and there's no way around that kind of lunacy. One can only hope all this crap just runs out of steam like a bratty toddler coming down from a sugar-high-induced tantrum...
8
Obama comes from Chicago, which has some of the most draconian gun laws in the country. And then you have speculators who are hoarding because they think they will get top dollar if buying ammunition is restricted. Given his track record, I don't think Obama is in any rush to take on the NRA, but people are afraid they won't be able to get ammo and are buying everything they can get their hands on.
10
However the extremes at both sides have to make wild claims, that anyone not subscribing to their radical agenda must be a wingnut,hard right, leftist, ultra lib, insert your descriptor of the other side here.
So Grant are we to believe that we can completely relax that not only the Obama administration, but the Democratically controlled congress, led by the anti gun whack job Nancy Pelosi will NEVER try to seize on the opportunity to further restrict gun rights, gun ownership, or any other measure related to guns, including efforts to back door create new laws related to ammunition stamping, local level right to carry restrictions, re-enactment of the Brady Bill et al?
In case any of you were wondering what's up with Reality Check and his steamroller hypocrisy and confused anger, here you go: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg…
11
All this does is fuel even more paranoia.
That said, Canadians still own more guns per capita, they just don't use em to kill people.
That said, Canadians still own more guns per capita, they just don't use em to kill people.
12
pull in pull in pull in your depleated uranium shells... I think they hid some in a footlocker full of cash and are going to distribute it out unwittingly!!
13
And of course the wing-nuts will point to this "socialistic rationing of our God-given ammunition" as further proof of the validity for their self-perpetuating fear:
Wing-Nut: "OMG! A socialist/fascist/communist black man is preznit! He'll take away our gunz! Better stock up on ammo!"
Walmart Employee: "I'm sorry sir, but due to the huge demand for ammunition, we have to limit you to a mere 100 rounds per purchase."
Wing-Nut: "I KNEW it! Teh gubamint is taking away mah freedomz!"
Wing-Nut: "OMG! A socialist/fascist/communist black man is preznit! He'll take away our gunz! Better stock up on ammo!"
Walmart Employee: "I'm sorry sir, but due to the huge demand for ammunition, we have to limit you to a mere 100 rounds per purchase."
Wing-Nut: "I KNEW it! Teh gubamint is taking away mah freedomz!"
14
@6, by your own logic, it's stupid for people to be stockpiling weapons and ammo right now. If the Dems are not going to act on guns right now because of the "rabid unpopularity regarding current legislation on the table, and the upcoming 2012 elections," then why does anybody need to stockpile until at least 2012?
I mean, if there were rumors that the government was going to severely restrict whiskey sales/possession at some point in the future (could be next year, could be five years from now), I probably wouldn't stockpile until I had an inkling that there was at least some probability of it actually happening (someone in the administration mentions it being a priority, for example). It's not like the government can wave a magic wand and outlaw whiskey tomorrow -- I'm assuming I'd have some lead time to stockpile it.
Nobody is saying that there will never be any more gun control laws ever. But, why would one stockpile right now, when it's clear that gun control isn't even on the President's radar screen (it's not among the 20-25 major issues listed on his website), and Congress is clearly busy with other things? [I meant that to be a rhetorical question, but I'm pretty sure the answer is "fear"]
I mean, if there were rumors that the government was going to severely restrict whiskey sales/possession at some point in the future (could be next year, could be five years from now), I probably wouldn't stockpile until I had an inkling that there was at least some probability of it actually happening (someone in the administration mentions it being a priority, for example). It's not like the government can wave a magic wand and outlaw whiskey tomorrow -- I'm assuming I'd have some lead time to stockpile it.
Nobody is saying that there will never be any more gun control laws ever. But, why would one stockpile right now, when it's clear that gun control isn't even on the President's radar screen (it's not among the 20-25 major issues listed on his website), and Congress is clearly busy with other things? [I meant that to be a rhetorical question, but I'm pretty sure the answer is "fear"]
16
@14 you answered your own question to a degree.
The OP clearly states, that stores are limiting sales to a box or 2 per person. I'm not sure if you are a shooting enthusiast in any capacity, but for those that shoot on a regular basis, you can normally shoot between 4-8 boxes easy per outing. If a gun owner wanted to stockpile additional ammo, in addition to what they normally shoot, they are looking at needing to buy several dozen cases.
In order to stockpile that amount of ammo, given the per trip restrictions, and general unavailability of ammo of all calibers in sufficient quantities, stockpiling ammo needs to start early and happen often in order for every single person wanting to be able to fulfill their desired number of rounds.
E.g., You can see why they would need to start early. Ammo has a VERY long shelf life, and can easily be stockpiled and used a decade from now. Better safe than sorry when it is available.
Because you see, when the ridiculously silly Brady Bill went into effect, all current weapons were grandfathered in. Gun sales for Brady list weapons are skyrocketing for these very same reasons. Guns rarely lose their value, and many are readily willing to pay a markup now to get a gun grandfathered in.
You believe fear is at the root of the rhetorical question "Why?"
Yes it may be fear, but it isn't the type of fear you are associating with. Rather it is the fear of a few radicals on the left in power dissecting the 2nd Amendment in such a way that opens the door of the slippery slope to further legislation. The Brady Bill is a perfect example of the folly of Pelosi and Schumer. The bill did nothing to prevent any drop in gun crimes, as very few gun crimes actually used the weapons outlined in the bill. And it famously miscategorized a whole bunch of guns as "assault" weapons, when they had nothing to do with being used in a high proportion of assaults. Anyone willing to do an honest analysis of the history of the bill, it's goals, and it's complete lack of results would understand that the American public is highly wary of any "good faith" efforts at gun control, when those making the gun control laws rarely have the credentials to understand the mechanics, differences, operation of the very products they wish to control.
So yes it is a well founded fear based on lots of historical precedent.
More...
The OP clearly states, that stores are limiting sales to a box or 2 per person. I'm not sure if you are a shooting enthusiast in any capacity, but for those that shoot on a regular basis, you can normally shoot between 4-8 boxes easy per outing. If a gun owner wanted to stockpile additional ammo, in addition to what they normally shoot, they are looking at needing to buy several dozen cases.
In order to stockpile that amount of ammo, given the per trip restrictions, and general unavailability of ammo of all calibers in sufficient quantities, stockpiling ammo needs to start early and happen often in order for every single person wanting to be able to fulfill their desired number of rounds.
E.g., You can see why they would need to start early. Ammo has a VERY long shelf life, and can easily be stockpiled and used a decade from now. Better safe than sorry when it is available.
Because you see, when the ridiculously silly Brady Bill went into effect, all current weapons were grandfathered in. Gun sales for Brady list weapons are skyrocketing for these very same reasons. Guns rarely lose their value, and many are readily willing to pay a markup now to get a gun grandfathered in.
You believe fear is at the root of the rhetorical question "Why?"
Yes it may be fear, but it isn't the type of fear you are associating with. Rather it is the fear of a few radicals on the left in power dissecting the 2nd Amendment in such a way that opens the door of the slippery slope to further legislation. The Brady Bill is a perfect example of the folly of Pelosi and Schumer. The bill did nothing to prevent any drop in gun crimes, as very few gun crimes actually used the weapons outlined in the bill. And it famously miscategorized a whole bunch of guns as "assault" weapons, when they had nothing to do with being used in a high proportion of assaults. Anyone willing to do an honest analysis of the history of the bill, it's goals, and it's complete lack of results would understand that the American public is highly wary of any "good faith" efforts at gun control, when those making the gun control laws rarely have the credentials to understand the mechanics, differences, operation of the very products they wish to control.
So yes it is a well founded fear based on lots of historical precedent.
17
@ 16:
But not based on anything happening at present, or on anything that plausibly will happen in the foreseeable future.
So yes it is a well founded fear based on lots of historical precedent
But not based on anything happening at present, or on anything that plausibly will happen in the foreseeable future.
18
This has actually been going on for awhile. I asked a couple of guys at Butch's about it, and even though they were staunch right-wingers, they attributed this ammo shortage to the drug wars going on in Mexico.
For awhile you couldn't get ammo at all, but it is reappearing on shelves, albeit at much higher prices than before....
For awhile you couldn't get ammo at all, but it is reappearing on shelves, albeit at much higher prices than before....
19
@17 except that many of the same actors present back in the days of the Brady Bill are still sitting in office today. Combine that with the addition of a President who comes from Chicago, and his previous statements and records on the matter...
Law abiding gun owners have a lot to be wary of.
So yes Matt, they do indeed have a plausible reason to be concerned with the agenda of those still wishing to do away with the 2nd Amendment.
Law abiding gun owners have a lot to be wary of.
So yes Matt, they do indeed have a plausible reason to be concerned with the agenda of those still wishing to do away with the 2nd Amendment.
20
Actually, simple old capitalist market forces have a lot more to do with this than all these political conspiracy theories.
Last year, copper prices went thru the roof, then dropped down again in the space of a few months.
As a result, a lot of mines shut down, unable to make a profit.
So, copper, which is a big part of each round of ammo, is scarcer and more expensive than it was a few years ago, and manufacturers are reluctant to stock a lot of it, because they are afraid of further price swings.
Many ammo manufacturers are still selling rounds made with copper that they paid double the current market price for. They are reluctant to lose more money by selling it cheap.
Then, there is a little thing that everybody in the USA is trying so hard to ignore- 2 HUGE wars going on. The US military is shooting off over 4 Billion rounds a year in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is using up most of the US manufacturing capacity for ammo, and affecting worldwide prices on copper and gunpowder components.
Last year, copper prices went thru the roof, then dropped down again in the space of a few months.
As a result, a lot of mines shut down, unable to make a profit.
So, copper, which is a big part of each round of ammo, is scarcer and more expensive than it was a few years ago, and manufacturers are reluctant to stock a lot of it, because they are afraid of further price swings.
Many ammo manufacturers are still selling rounds made with copper that they paid double the current market price for. They are reluctant to lose more money by selling it cheap.
Then, there is a little thing that everybody in the USA is trying so hard to ignore- 2 HUGE wars going on. The US military is shooting off over 4 Billion rounds a year in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is using up most of the US manufacturing capacity for ammo, and affecting worldwide prices on copper and gunpowder components.
21
@16: And yet you jump down Dan's throat when he accuses a police department of anti-gay bias with plenty of examples of the same in the past? Or if he makes any reference to institutional homophobia? Hm, funny.
And I mean that, it's literally laugh-out-loud funny of the "LOL" variety.
And I mean that, it's literally laugh-out-loud funny of the "LOL" variety.
22
Look, it's pretty simple to become a firearms and ammo dealer, if you want to buy wholesale, in most Red States.
Heck, it's pretty simple even here.
Heck, it's pretty simple even here.
23
@ 19, are they introducing legislation? Are they holding hearings or opening the floor to debate? If not, it's not plausible, and those in fear are not being rational, especially in light of the SCOTUS ruling on what the Second Amendment means or the utter and abject failure of gun rights legislation and initiatives across the country. "Those in power" (how ominous!) aren't foolish enough to risk it - hell, they're barely able to pass the agenda they pledged to pass (no gun reform there, BTW) for fear of offending right wingers. Why would they piss them off (not to mention all the liberal gun owners out there, and there are a small but significant number of them)?
It ain't happening, and only hardcore gun nuts think there's any reason to be concerned.
It ain't happening, and only hardcore gun nuts think there's any reason to be concerned.
24
@21 You are such a complete fool. And yet you continue to want to prove it to everyone reading your blather.
The difference between my logic and that of Dan's, is that Dan is trying to compare different police departments in 3 different states, and their officers, culture and administration in a wide reaching conspiracy attempt.
I'm looking at the VERY SAME people in Congress during the Brady Bill era STILL THERE TODAY. I'm comparing apples to apples with the same people and their beliefs.
Dan was comparing apples to oranges with people from different cities/states.
I think you need to consider that the SanFrancisco Gate article might be talking about YOU.
You are right Baconcat that literal laughing out loud you hear is being directed at you.
Try to take note of it.
The difference between my logic and that of Dan's, is that Dan is trying to compare different police departments in 3 different states, and their officers, culture and administration in a wide reaching conspiracy attempt.
I'm looking at the VERY SAME people in Congress during the Brady Bill era STILL THERE TODAY. I'm comparing apples to apples with the same people and their beliefs.
Dan was comparing apples to oranges with people from different cities/states.
I think you need to consider that the SanFrancisco Gate article might be talking about YOU.
You are right Baconcat that literal laughing out loud you hear is being directed at you.
Try to take note of it.
25
Actually, copper prices are dropping (my job is in the metals industry). Check out metalprices dot com for a nice resource on current, futures and historical metal prices.
26
Am I the only one who thinks republicans and conservatives are simply buying guns and ammo because it makes them FEEL more republican and conservative?
They're still hurting from the clobbering they received in the election. They yell and complain but nothing changes. They know a democrat's going to be president for the next three years no matter what.
Buying guns and ammo for them is the same as buying ice cream or whatever after your boyfriend/girlfriend dumps you. It's comforting to them.
They're still hurting from the clobbering they received in the election. They yell and complain but nothing changes. They know a democrat's going to be president for the next three years no matter what.
Buying guns and ammo for them is the same as buying ice cream or whatever after your boyfriend/girlfriend dumps you. It's comforting to them.
27
@24: HURRRRRR SOB WEEP, YOU'RE STUPID, I'M NOT STUPID, YOU'RE STUPID, BACONCAT, YOU DON'T GET IT! STOP BULLYING ME, I HATE YOU!!
I mean, why would we laugh at your pitiful conspiracy theories when in other threads you laugh at "radical liberals" and "nazi pelosi" having no power because everyone else shifted to the center. Oh, and you get indignant about people calling certain folks "wingnuts" or other epithets, when you yourself do exactly that. BUT THE SIGNS! PELOSI AND SCHUMER ARE STILL THERE! SO FORGET WHAT REALITY CHECK SAID ABOUT PELOSI AND SCHUMER BEING UNABLE TO ACT, BECAUSE, LIKE, THERE COULD BE A COUP!
And you're making the mistake of believing we're taking you seriously. Most of us aren't. We're mocking you, and you make it pretty easy.
Love ya, babe.
I mean, why would we laugh at your pitiful conspiracy theories when in other threads you laugh at "radical liberals" and "nazi pelosi" having no power because everyone else shifted to the center. Oh, and you get indignant about people calling certain folks "wingnuts" or other epithets, when you yourself do exactly that. BUT THE SIGNS! PELOSI AND SCHUMER ARE STILL THERE! SO FORGET WHAT REALITY CHECK SAID ABOUT PELOSI AND SCHUMER BEING UNABLE TO ACT, BECAUSE, LIKE, THERE COULD BE A COUP!
And you're making the mistake of believing we're taking you seriously. Most of us aren't. We're mocking you, and you make it pretty easy.
Love ya, babe.
28
@23 articulates my thinking pretty well. Did anybody mention it as part of their platform to get elected last year? Are they talking about the gun control issue? At all? Is anybody working on introducing legislation? Even if something was introduced, would it have the necessary support in our current political environment?
The answer to all those questions is no. A few liberals with anti-gun bees in their bonnet cannot change the laws overnight. In fact, I would argue that the likelihood of any significant changes to current gun laws happening in the remainder of Obama's first term is practically 0%. Anybody that's buying guns or ammo right now because they're afraid that they won't be able to do so next year is being irrational and paranoid.
The answer to all those questions is no. A few liberals with anti-gun bees in their bonnet cannot change the laws overnight. In fact, I would argue that the likelihood of any significant changes to current gun laws happening in the remainder of Obama's first term is practically 0%. Anybody that's buying guns or ammo right now because they're afraid that they won't be able to do so next year is being irrational and paranoid.
29
I need to correct myself at 23... I said "gun rights legislation" but meant "gun control legislation."
30
We bought a couple new guns and ammunition for them after Obama was elected, mostly because the right-wingers are starting to go so loony we decided it's better to be armed. I don't expect anyone to limit my right to have a personal arsenal. It's not exactly a top platform issue.
31
damn, i wish my own party was with me on gun rights...then this would be a real non-issue......not just a fake non-issue.
come on liberals....can we just get over this?
dear conservatives.....stop freaking out you douche-hats!
god dammit, i want healthcare for all (+ other real issues resolved)....stop fucking around
come on liberals....can we just get over this?
dear conservatives.....stop freaking out you douche-hats!
god dammit, i want healthcare for all (+ other real issues resolved)....stop fucking around
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Hating People Doesn't Make Them Thinner by Jen Graves
-
Los Angeles Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties Until Marriage Equality Is Attained by David Schmader
-
Fill in the Blank by Grant Brissey
-
This Reminds Me of the Great Calculator Scare of the Late '70s/Early '80s by David Schmader
-
Idiot Tries to Defend Bigoted Anti-Gay-Marriage Preacher on Anderson Cooper by Paul Constant
-
Six Moms with Too Much Time on Their Hands and a Shitty Website Decide to Fight Gay Superheroes by Paul Constant
-
Why Mayor McGinn's Wife Canceled Her Family's Seattle Times Subscription by Eli Sanders
-
What the Hell Is Wrong With Seattle's Pride Parade? by Dominic Holden
-
The Saturday Morning News by Unpaid Intern
-
NYC Man Ticketed for Not Riding in the Bike Lane by Jonathan Golob
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (31) RSS