Why Gun Sales Could Soon Spike Due to Gun Control Measures – Buy it before they ban it. That’s what many Americans are now doing as lawmakers across the country look to institute new gun control efforts. On the national level that includes a bipartisan Senate package of safety and gun-related measures that focused on preventing future shootings like the one in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two teachers were killed in their school.
That proposal has called for money to encourage states to pass and implement so-called “red flag” laws that could allow law enforcement to remove guns from potentially dangerous people, provide money for school safety and mental health resources, but also expand background checks for gun purchases made by young adults between the ages of 18 and 21.
The lawmakers have called this a “commonsense” proposal that would reduce the threat of violence nationwide.
“Our plan increases needed mental health resources, improves school safety and support for students, and helps ensure dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill can’t purchase weapons,” the group said in a statement, NPR reported. “Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.”
Look for the Sales Spike
Typically calls for any gun control measures often drive sales, and such has been the case in recent weeks. It is already been seen in traditionally “blue” or left-leaning states where gun control restrictions are already in place.
New York State is just such an example, where Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed new legislation that will raise the age to purchase semi-automatic rifles, ban the purchase of body armor, calls for future use of microstamping technology, and enforce information sharing by law enforcement to the state and federal gun databases.
“Gun violence is an epidemic that is tearing our country apart. Thoughts and prayers won’t fix this, but taking strong action will,” said Governor Hochul. “In New York, we’re taking bold steps to protect the people of our state.”
However, Tim Nelson, owner of Intimidator Sports in Nedrow, told WSYR-TV that while new laws have yet to take effect, sales of firearms in the Empire State have actually hit record levels.
“Every time they talk about it gun sales increase, we sell out,” Nelson explained. “Everybody gets scared everybody wants a firearm so of course the first thing they are going to do is get one in hopes that nothing happens to it.”
Gun Control Increases Gun Sales
A recent report from Grid News found that since 2009, major news events – notably mass shootings – tend to drive gun sales. At the same time, advocates for stricter gun laws often believe those tragedies could inspire converts to their cause. There is a rush to call for new legislation, but that in turn only increases sales in the short term.
There is very little reason to think that the recent efforts to reduce gun violence won’t simply result in another strong summer for gun sales.
Now a Senior Editor for 1945, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer who has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes.
