Rise in county gun sales tied to fewer cops, what Obama might do

[Kodiak]

Gun sales in Sacramento County have grown more than in any other populous county in California since November, according to the state attorney general's office.

From November 2008 to May 2009, gun dealers in Sacramento County sold nearly 5,000 more guns than they did in the same period last year, an increase of 40 percent, statistics from the state Bureau of Firearms show.

The state increase in gun sales averaged 32 percent.

Sacramento County gun owners, advocates and store owners largely attribute the boom to fear.

Initially, they said, buyers were concerned that the Obama administration would support further gun controls. More recently, Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness announced layoffs of 202 sworn deputies and 40 non-sworn personnel because of budget cuts to his department – further spurring local gun sales.

"I've noticed a tremendous change," said Ron Herbertson, 47, a Sacramento insurance specialist and gun owner. "I was just in a gun store today – you can't find ammunition, and guns are flying off the shelves. It's hard for them to keep them in stock."

Herbertson would not say how many guns he has bought in recent months, but he described himself as "well-equipped."

Between November 2008 and May 2009, 15,993 handguns and long guns were sold in Sacramento County, and 314,201 were sold statewide.

"There has definitely been a dramatic increase in consumer desire for firearms and ammunition," said Chuck Michel, attorney for the California Rifle and Pistol Association, a 45,000-member organization that promotes firearm safety and gun rights. "It is motivated primarily by a fear of what ill-conceived gun laws the Obama administration might propose, but it's also attributable to a fear of a rise in crime from a bad economy and less money for police."

Obama has been trying to assuage voters' fears about his intentions for gun control ever since the campaign.

Link

Bleh 10 characters.

[Eugene V. Debs]

Okay-- I was guilty of some panic buying prior to the election myself-- but why would CA residents engage in panic buying? I mean, are they really paranoid enough to believe Obama and his Congressional allies will enact Federal regulations stronger than what Cali already has? Anyone panic buying firearms in places like California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York or Connecticut because of Obama is not thinking straight.

[••SpraynPray••]

Okay-- I was guilty of some panic buying prior to the election myself-- but why would CA residents engage in panic buying? I mean, are they really paranoid enough to believe Obama and his Congressional allies will enact Federal regulations stronger than what Cali already has? Anyone panic buying firearms in places like California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York or Connecticut because of Obama is not thinking straight.

I dont think it has to do with gun laws, but the fact that Cali.gov is burning their money tree. I would say it has people scared of food riots and mass layoffs, SHTF stuff =D

[ChamberedRound]

Okay-- I was guilty of some panic buying prior to the election myself-- but why would CA residents engage in panic buying? I mean, are they really paranoid enough to believe Obama and his Congressional allies will enact Federal regulations stronger than what Cali already has? Anyone panic buying firearms in places like California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York or Connecticut because of Obama is not thinking straight.

It's not just because of O, it's also because people are honestly getting scared about what's going on in this country, especially with the economy. With tax collections down, state and local support and services going away to balance budgets, and large numbers of people getting laid-off, responsible law-abiding citizens all over the country are rightly concerned that they will need to defend themselves and their families. Those in CA and NJ are no exception.

If there's one thing that's relatively consistent, it's human nature. Even the staunchest of liberals will want to defend themselves if they feel threatened. The only difference is that the staunch liberal leaves himself with no means to do so, both physically and ideologically.

[Eugene V. Debs]

I dont think it has to do with gun laws, but the fact that Cali.gov is burning their money tree. I would say it has people scared of food riots and mass layoffs, SHTF stuff =D

Yeah, but the article says:

Initially, they said, buyers were concerned that the Obama administration would support further gun controls.

[••SpraynPray••]

Yeah, but the article says:

True,
Supose its fueled by both then? +D

[Eugene V. Debs]

It's not just because of O, it's also because people are honestly getting scared about what's going on in this country, especially with the economy. With tax collections down, state and local support and services going away to balance budgets, and large numbers of people getting laid-off, responsible law-abiding citizens all over the country are rightly concerned that they will need to defend themselves and their families. Those in CA and NJ are no exception.

If there's one thing that's relatively consistent, it's human nature. Even the staunchest of liberals will want to defend themselves if they feel threatened. The only difference is that the staunch liberal leaves himself with no means to do so, both physically and ideologically.

Yeah I get that, but I'm just responding to what the article said, that "initially" buyers said it was because Obama would pass new gun control laws.

[thatJeffguy]

Okay-- I was guilty of some panic buying prior to the election myself-- but why would CA residents engage in panic buying? I mean, are they really paranoid enough to believe Obama and his Congressional allies will enact Federal regulations stronger than what Cali already has? Anyone panic buying firearms in places like California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York or Connecticut because of Obama is not thinking straight.

Somehow or another, we agree.

If you dislike absurd gun regulation, perhaps California isn't the place to live?

[Morel42]

Somehow or another, we agree.

If you dislike absurd gun regulation, perhaps California isn't the place to live?

California isn't the place to live for about 10,000 reasons..

Though the Redwoods are nice in Northern Cali are something everyone should see at least once.

[camper]

Yeah, but the article says:

I just chalk it up to california being a state populated with dumb f'ing morons.

camper