People are buying guns. Wish there was a way to find out the percentage that are first time buyers.

Just comparing Q1 20012 to Q1 2013 is pretty eye opening.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/reports/nics-firearm-background-checks-1998_2013_state_monthly_totals-033113.pdf

 

nics stats.pdf

At least one state's totals are misleading. I think it is Kentucky that runs a monthly NICS check on all concealed carry holders to make sure they haven't become ineligible.

 

Liberals like to claim less of us have guns and that it is simply hoarding by "gun people". while that may be partially true, I think it has more to do with people feeling apprehensive about claiming they own guns considering the general media disapproval of them, not to mention the state and Federal politicians.

 

I have a feeling this "fear of being labeled as a gun owner" alters polling on other matters too. While I have no problems with Gays doing whatever the hell they want to, including marriage, the polls indicating national 60% approval rates for gay marriage run counter to the impressions I get from social interaction with a variety of folks here and elsewhere. I think people tell pollsters what they think they want to hear.