Firearms Neophytes Panic Buying

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WrongHanded

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From what I've been hearing via a LGS or two, it seems the rush on guns is largely due to first time owners panic buying. I find that concerning.

I suppose my main concern is the mentality of these people. I got the feeling they aren't terribly pro gun individuals, and are just really scared someone is going to try and steal their groceries. Which makes me wonder how much (or rather how little) they know about the guns they're buying, the legalities involved, or how dangerous they may be with a new firearm and a whole bucket of ignorance.

I'm all for people - who previously haven't owned guns - taking their personal safety upon their own shoulders. But I do find the motives and speed with which people are procuring weapons a little unsettling. I feel like becoming a gun owner is not something that should be rushed. The thought process of "I just bought a gun and some ammo. I'm good to go!" is concerning to me.

How do you feel about it?
 
then the sad parts... the stupidest the left has to offer offended, and pissed off how hard it is to buy a pistol in some states, because "that shouldn't apply to meee, I'm normal!, its all those other people that shouldn't have it", but still not voting to change it. Then the same stupid in a not so left state finding out "its too easy to buy a machine gun/death machine, thats fine for meee but what about the other people, they're dangerous! (note this introspection happens while muzzle sweeping the entire shop, and disregarding the how-not-to-shoot-yourself-advice)" and going out to protest the rights they just took advantage of for themselves.
 
my friends son is in his mid 20s and decided he wanted a gun because of all that is going on, people are freaked out. he knew nothing really about them, maybe a little exposure - not much. his father grew up with guns, hunting etc, safety first education from his father. the recommendation was for my friends son to take one of the old family hunting rifles for self defense, because muzzle control is more obvious with a rifle and easier to learn than with a pistol.
 
Waveski said:
Whole lotta speculatin' goin' on ...

OP : Maybe. Maybe not. Care to expound on that?


Sure.
The First post starts out : " From what I've been hearing via a LGS or two, it seems....."
Not very substantial ; more speculative that factual.

#8 offers an anecdotal reference to the experience of one person.
#2 , #3 , and #4 are pure speculation.
#5 offers a cautionary reference to the nature of the thread , #6 is an attempt to refute #5
 
Sure.
The First post starts out : " From what I've been hearing via a LGS or two, it seems....."
Not very substantial ; more speculative that factual.

#8 offers an anecdotal reference to the experience of one person.
#2 , #3 , and #4 are pure speculation.
#5 offers a cautionary reference to the nature of the thread , #6 is an attempt to refute #5

All fair points. So there's speculation. Anything wrong with such a discussion based on speculation? It's not like I'm asking for a signature on a petition. We're just talking.
 
This is starting to read like a Court transcript.*

*opinion, foundation, facts not in evidence.

IBFTL

Stay safe.
 
I do agree with your thoughts on the mentality and mindset. Reminiscent of an episode of "The Simpsons" in which Homer buys a handgun. "I bought a gun, so I *must* be more capable than other people !!" Bah. Buy whatever you wish, but please... seek training. If not from a pro, then from a family member who is more capable than yourself.
 
A small woman in her 40's came to the LGS today and said "I need some ammo for a 45" Gun guy asked her if it was a 45 auto or 45 long colt. She said "45". He asked if there was a slide on it and she said it had a slide, not the "round spinning thing"

After she was given some ammo for the 45 slide thing, she said she also needed a 12 gauge shotgun because her brother said that is what she needed to have. She saw the Shockwave on the wall and said she wanted that. He asked her if she had ever shot a shotgun and she said no and when asked if she knew how to shoot the Shockwave she kinda motioned in a way that would send her to the dentist if she did indeed touch off a round in the thing. Eventually she left with the Shockwave, some .45 ammo and 8 boxes of 00 buckshot. They are selling $20,000 a day in guns and ammo so far this week at a small town sports shop.
 
I BOUGHT A HANDGUN!!!! :what:

Online, last Saturday, before I heard about everybody and their Grandma buying guns. :(

My purchase [38 special revolver w/4 inch barrel] had absolutely nothing to do with the 'Covid Panic' either!

The Vendor I purchased from also has a Retail store.

Now that folks are 'freaking out', I checked the Vendors Website:


Due to increased order volume, we are experiencing shipment delays of several days. We appreciate your business and apologize for the inconvenience!

RETAIL STORE CLOSED THROUGH THURSDAY. RE-OPENING FRIDAY MAR 20

:cuss:


About all I can say is,,,, The folks who don't know what they're doing (round-spinning thing!?!?! OMG,,,) need to 'step aside and take a number,' and let us 'seasoned' Buyers go first!!!
 
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Throwing gas on a fire , as I see it. A LOT of that going on the last few days.

By having a conversation? I don't see it that way. I'm quite capable of having a conversation, and then continuing on with my life without getting hysterical. I assume most of us here are the same way.
 
Here's what I think ; here is why I said what I said ...

I am not terribly worried about the virus. I am not calloused towards those who become ill and are directly effected in that way ; but the fact is that viruses occur from time to time , they run their course , and we move on. It is an unfortunate but inevitable part of our existence. This statement comes from a 68 year old guy with heart issues serious enough that my cardiologist called me on Sunday night with cautionary advice. Despite that I know that if I am reasonably cautious the odds are heavily in my favor that I will be unaffected.

What I AM worried about is the sensationalized , fear driven reaction to this health crisis. Life savings and personal freedoms are suddenly like smoke in a gale. The radical closures and restrictions - that is where the real damage to our society will come from. Everywhere I turn I get smacked with WHAT IF???

Even here on The High Road.
 
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I haven't seen any thread title suggesting that. Though it's possible I've missed them. All I've seen about panic buying are threads about ammo shortages, which isn't really what this thread is supposed to be about.
But turns out to be. I hate to be the tinfoil hat guy but this is how self fulfilling prophecies occur. Bank runs. Ammo. The fragile nature and paranoia of it all means this one post can potentially trigger it. The only thing shops can do is start a limit early.
 
If all the '1st time' buyers know about shooting/self defense is what they saw on CSI,,, oh boy,,, this will not end good,,,,

WE all know that Firearms are not some sort of 'Magical Talisman' that miraculously keeps you safe.

There is a lot of responsibility involved and unfortunately, 'common sense' appears to be virtually non-existent these days,,,
 
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