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Interesting report on increase in gun ownership
- Thread starter mack59
- Start date
Miss Stana
New member
I can remember 30 years ago I could tell most everybody in this small town owned guns because there were at least two in the rifle rack in the back window of every pick-up truck. And if you looked into the window of most cars, there was a gun on the front seat. And no violent crimes!! Nowdays, everyone is afraid to admit to owning a firearm for fear the government will know and try to take it.
As far as first time buyers, I have a small gun shop too. When the customer says "I've never owned a gun before" you can be pretty sure they are a first timer. And if they have purchased several guns from you in the past, you know they are not a first timer.
As far as first time buyers, I have a small gun shop too. When the customer says "I've never owned a gun before" you can be pretty sure they are a first timer. And if they have purchased several guns from you in the past, you know they are not a first timer.
Double Naught Spy
New member
Actually I can tell you exactly the number of first time buyers I had. So much for your assumption.
...but I noticed you didn't, not that it matters. If you know how many first timers you have had, then you must also know how many total buyers you have had and total purchases you have had.
Maybe YOU can tell us, but you are a small operation and you don't sell many guns, not compared to the Walmarts, Ganders, Cabelas, Academys, Bud's, and other such stores that have lots of customers, lots of employees, and who don't keep such records. Sure, any employee can spot a person they think or are told is a first timer, but that doesn't translate into real data.
Given the millions of sales that we are talking about here, I am fairly certain the GSSF didn't survey the thousands of small FFLs to get their data or bother to verify that the FFLs they did survey could actually show real data to support the numbers reported. Were you and Miss Stana surveyed? The two local FFLs I deal with were not. One of my tenants who is an FFL was not. Hmmm.
Miss Stana has a small shop as she noted and can tell who is a new customer. However, I noticed she didn't claim to not the exact number of new buyers she has had.
Jeremiah/Az
New member
I wonder if some of this data is based on NICS checks? Az. does not do a check if you have a CCW permit. There might be some other states like that.
Incidentally, I don't know anyone that does not own a gun. I suppose it's a "birds of a feather" kind of thing.
Incidentally, I don't know anyone that does not own a gun. I suppose it's a "birds of a feather" kind of thing.
Double Naught Spy
New member
NICS checks would not provide valid data as to who was new or not. That folks with CCWs don't have to go through the check in some states would only be indicative of those people who do have CCWs, assuming the gun shop actually keeps a running tabulation on how many people they NICS v. CCW.
Of the people not CCW, there is no way to know from NICS if they are first time or not.
Of the people not CCW, there is no way to know from NICS if they are first time or not.
Exactly how many?Actually I can tell you exactly the number of first time buyers I had.
Actually I can tell you exactly the number of first time buyers I had.
I've been a first time buyer several times.
I was a first time buyer of a 22 magnum rifle
I was a first time buyer of a 22 semi auto rifle
I was a first time buyer of a 9mm semi-auto pistol
I was a first time buyer of a revolver
I was a first time buyer of a 22 semi-auto pistol
I was a first time buyer of a lever action rifle
When I buy a firearm, what I own is my own business and local people just need to know I have something to protect myself. I don't want to be targeted for a break-in.
I've spoken to people who get their carry license before they've owned (or even shot) a gun. That's not always indicative of an experienced buyer.That folks with CCWs don't have to go through the check in some states would only be indicative of those people who do have CCWs
Furthermore, many new buyers don't make their experience level known. The guy reciting a litany of technical features and tactical lingo could be an experienced shooter, or it could be a guy who's never actually touched a gun until that day.
I've spoken to people who get their carry license before they've owned (or even shot) a gun. That's not always indicative of an experienced buyer.
The lady who issued my CC permit had hers and had never fired a gun. My daughter only shot a gun to get her CC permit (in Tennessee). Neither of them has any intention of owning or buying a gun but they both got their permits to protect their 2nd amendment rights. I suspect there are a lot of those. My neighbor has a CC permit but doesn't own a gun.