Wrong Again

When it comes to economic matters, many of those who allegedly know best dismiss the prognostications of the average Joe. The fact is, however, that ordinary Americans saw the current downturn coming well before the experts did.

Indeed, up until the bottom fell out -- and even after the National Bureau of Economic Research declared December 2007 to be the start date of the downturn -- many clueless policymakers, Wall Street economists, and media pundits remained upbeat on the economy and bullish on stocks.

Of course, that doesn't mean the masses will be right next time around. Still, based on how things have panned out so far, I have a feeling the critics cited in the following Associated Press report, "Fear Over Economy Lead to More Gun Permits," who claim that the popular rush to acquire firearms represents "senseless paranoia," will be proven wrong once again.

Gun owners worried that a bad economy could lead to increased violence and suspicious that new stricter gun laws are on the horizon are rushing in record numbers to get concealed weapons permits.

From Washington state to Florida, state officials say more people are deciding to pack heat. In some cases, states are reporting a near doubling in the number of concealed carry permits.

The firearms industry has seen a big jump in sales and interest following last fall's elections, driven by a fear that Democrats could dig up old gun control policies. But the economy is also on the mind of many getting new permits to carry a hidden gun. Some worry the recession will get worse, leaving people to resort to theft and violence.

"I do think there are going to be people who have very little, and they are going to decide you have too much and come get it," said Rochelle Haughton of Billings, who described herself as a middle-aged housewife who likes to bring a gun when she travels on the open highway.

In Montana, authorities are on pace to issue twice as many concealed weapons permits than last year - and this is in a state that only requires such permits if you go into an incorporated city. They are unnecessary everywhere else.

Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, said students taking his gun training classes report underlying worries on gun control and violence. He said the economy is prompting anxiety over what could happen next - to the point some think social order could start to break down.

"People are making decisions based on some anxiety, rather than having thought it totally through entirely," he said.

Police in states around the country are unable to keep up with the pace of concealed weapons permits.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says it is hiring temporary workers to help process a surge in applications. Oklahoma also reports a near doubling in concealed carry permit applications. North Dakota officials say concealed weapons permit applications are up a third over last year.

The trend stretches from Washington state to Florida, where police expect to process at least 50 percent more applications than a year ago. That state is also turning to temporary workers to help deal with the work.

Florida was one of the first states two decades ago to pass a concealed-carry law. Interest blossomed quickly, and now nearly all states have such a law. Gun advocates call the program wildly successful, pointing to the increased popularity of such permits.

Critics say the laws - and interest in packing a hidden gun - are a result of senseless paranoia. Those closest to the big jump in permits this year cite the well-documented interest in buying guns and ammunition ever since the President Barack Obama's election - along with the unsettling nature of the recession.

Others point out that Obama and Democrats have not moved to restrict guns in any way - and in fact they have done the opposite. The president signed a bill in May that permits licensed gun owners to bring firearms into national parks - undoing rules that, ironically, came from the Reagan administration adored by many gun advocates.

"The notion that there is some great threat looming on the horizon is horse manure," said Peter Hamm, spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Hamm said he is mystified by people getting concealed weapons permits and buying new handguns over economic fears.

"I know in a tight economy, I think of things not to spend money on rather than on things I need to spend money on right away," he said. "If your response to anxiety is to buy a firearm, you should probably take a deep breath."

The National Rifle Association fell just short of persuading Congress earlier this summer to force states to recognize the concealed weapons permits from other states. Some states voluntarily accept such "reciprocity," but the proposal would have forced all to do so on a widespread basis.

Edward Avilla, who runs a gun Web site called AR-15.com, lives in Rochester, N.Y., but got a new permit from Utah this year even though he already holds one in his home state. The Utah permits are popular with aficionados because nonresidents can get one through a distance class and because it is accepted in 17 other states.

"The fall in the economy does make people feel insecure and want to defend their home," said Avilla. "I do know that it is motivation for a lot of people."

Avilla runs a forum popular with assault rifle fans. But he also says he practices with his handguns very frequently - and self defense is on his mind.

"I carry concealed basically for preservation of life. I value my life and that of others around me," said Avilla. "I do hope, however, I never have to use it in my entire life."

Longtime holders of permits are not surprised by the big surge in interest. "The reason is simple: People are afraid of what's going to happen," said Bart Bonney, a retiree living in Anaconda who recently renewed his own permit.

Leslie Strangford of Baker said he primarily uses his permit so he can bring a gun when he travels with his wife. The rancher said he doesn't feel like he needs a concealed handgun around the small agricultural community where he lives, where guns are a common part of life and often hang in the back of pickup trucks.

"I guess it's a sign of the times, every so often you hear about someone that is traveling and gets threatened," he said. "Being as I was traveling all over, I thought it was time to get a permit."

Comments

[Susan]

The fact is, these candy assess will be USING their guns to get food when their suburban dreams evaporate. They will be wanting to use their weapons to steal from those of us forsightful enough to have been growing gardens and getting ready for this change.

Guns are a tool, there is nothing wrong with them. But most of these fat-ass suburbanites are going to use guns as a shortcut for WORK and PLANNING and simply try to force their way into having food when this system collapses.

If you are not planning ahead for the long term, but think a gun(s) will equalize things? F*ck you.

[ThomasJefferson]

heh...Using guns to steal food? How about using guns to prevent the theft of food? Just finished up a Concealed Carry Course and am getting ready to send in my paperwork. Have used a weapon several times to stop crime. Never had to fire a shot but was ready three times to do so. Each of those times would have been justifiable.

Calling folks names when they are not in front of you is not as brave as you think.

[HSpencer]

There is no question on Americans owning firearms, ammo, etc, be it for home defense, hunting, sport, or whatever. If you did not make it to our dumbed down education system while growing up, it was called "The Right to Own and Bear Arms". We have ALWAYS owned guns. I know there is a movement to stop that, but it will take a civil war (that the government wins) to be effective in stopping ownership (and use). Once we cave in to that, nothing else politically will matter, it's all over.
The problem is that our current generation has not grown up learning enough about guns and owning them, and using them. A person could break in your home and kill you, with a gun, yes.
However, your pump 12ga shotgun with OO buck load will save your and your family's life. So will a Colt Automatic .45 Cal pistol, if your a good shot, and your round hits first. Many Americans don't own a weapon, and state that they will not defend their home and property in this manner. "We will call 911". That will work if your not "too dead" to make a phone call.
I have no idea why Americans have allowed the gun ownership question to pop up at all. Not owning a gun is like not being allowed to own an American Flag.

[ThomasJefferson]

Because Americans have bought into some fantasies. That police are bound by law to prevent crime from occuring to YOU. They are not they are merely here to prevent what they can and to mainly catch up with folks after they have robbed, raped and killed you. Comforting.

The other is that you cannot get to your gun but you can get to your phone...??? Anyone who has ever called 911 knows how long it takes just to put a call for help in. My wife called me at work to alert me to a stalker who had just been seen in our backyard beneath our bedroom window. I came from work, cleared the backyard with my .45 and entered the house and she was still talking on the phone. Thank goodness he exited the yard when he heard me coming and was later caught by police. I did not want to shoot anyone.

My theory is get your gun, stay inside, call the police and shoot the schmuck as soon as his dumb head pokes inside of your house.

[bobn1955]

'
"The notion that there is some great threat looming on the horizon is horse manure," said Peter Hamm, spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
'

The Brady campaign and their lackeys in D.C. *are* one of the threats on the horizon. (They do have lots of horse manure, though.) Lots of people buy guns when they think more gun "control" laws are imminent.

Susan: Good luck keeping your food and the other results of your planning, if you don't have *effective* means of defense. The guys who will come after you with guns will be the ones *not* obeying gun control laws.

[becbeq]

Got my permit, got my gun, got my garden & food storage. Problem is, Susan, the candy asses who will be using guns to steal your food are the criminals who wouldn't bother with the legalities of a permit.

[Gary Near Death Valley]

I was keeping track on the internet for years, concerning the price of gold, and economic conditions in the US and the world. When I began to see property values begin to top and slide over into the negative side in Las Vegas (about 65 miles west of me), I immediately put up a mother-in-laws house and two one acre plots that I owned on the market. I was lucky to sell them all within a two month period. Even my real estate broker who told me, "You know property values increased 100% in the last year out here (Pahrump, Nevada)!", and I said SELL. I told him it was all over and it was all going to go down, he listed but disagree'd with me concerning the direction. I sold and he was stuck with many houses in a development he was building.

The information was out there (Financial Armageddon, Day of Reckoning, etc), but even most of the general public had blinders on, like the wigs in Washington DC. Blinded to the cliff!

[Sand in the Vasoline]

"I carry a gun, because cops are too heavy" I just love that saying, but there is a lot of truth to it.

Millions of guns sold last year and billions of rounds of ammunition. This Country's citizenry is so well armed the NWO and UN doesn't know what to do. For many this is the top of the list on their line in the sand.

"Susan" are you an anti-gun, gardener? Any good gardener knows you need to defend your crops from both bugs and animals (even two legged ones), and you need the knowledge and tools to do it.