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They Are Still Buying
by James Glaser July 13, 2009 Before I moved to the South from Northern Minnesota, I believed every man and most women over the age of 21 owned at least one gun. Almost everyone I knew was given a gun or guns by their parents as they were growing up. I think I got my first firearm, a 22 caliber rifle, when I was 12 years old. Many kids got a BB gun as a first weapon, but my dad thought of them as "window breakers." Dad was real serious when he gave me my first instructions at shooting a rifle. Guns were no joke, and I took my dad's training as a responsibility that was part of growing up. Having a fire arm at an early age is what got me so surprised this year when I met several adults who were buying their first weapon. I thought every body had one, or at least if they didn't, it was because they still kept theirs at their parent's home. I know lots of guys and women too, who keep their fire arms at their parents, because either they hunt with their parents, they hunt on their parents land, or they do both. Today, more and more of those people are going home and bringing one or more of their weapons to where they live as adults. I have had two people ask me if I would teach them how to shoot, but I tell them it would be better to take one of the many classes given by marksmanship instructors all around Florida. The last time I took a serious class was in the Marine Corps, and it involved a lot of yelling and punishment if you didn't follow instructions to the letter. That probably would not be the way to treat a friend, but it did work. About a week ago I met a man who manufactures custom firearms, and he said if I couldn't find the gun I was looking for, he could make it. I told him that I probably had all the weapons I would ever need, and right now those I might want are not a priority. I then said about all I buy these days is some ammo, which is getting harder and harder to find and more expensive when you do find it. He agreed and told me that reloading equipment is selling about as fast as the manufactured ammo is. I would guess if you shoot a lot, that would be a real money-saving investment. I read a story about how one gun shop owner of twenty years has had his best sales period ever, in the last six months. Americans are scared. Some are scared that they won't be able to buy a gun when they want to. Some are scared of higher crime rates and want a gun for protection. Still others are scared of our government, and like Thomas Jefferson said:
So, Americans keep buying firearms, and I believe they always will or we will no longer be a free nation, |
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