I'm Making Purchases With The Future In Mind, Anyone Else?

[Speedo66]

I try to be a realist when it comes to the future of firearms. Regardless of what I'd like it to be, based on demographics I've seen, gun owners are a dying breed. With most of the population in cities, they don't use firearms, and many have a dim view of them.

I foresee more regulations, and more stringent laws re: firearms and have been making my purchases with this in mind. We may call AR's "modern sporting rifles", but the media, politicians, and many others, as you know, refer to them as "assault weapons". They have been previously banned and we know there are continuing efforts to restore the ban. It may take a while at the Federal level, but we all see it actually happening in various states.

So how to deal with the future? Although I had one, I was never a fan of AR's and sold it. Having purchased a reasonable amount of ammo, and enjoying the accuracy and low recoil of 5.56, I decided to buy a Ruger Mini-14. I configured it in a manner that I thought would be the least likely to be banned, i.e., no "tactical" features. That eliminated pistol grip stock, and I elected for no muzzle brake or threaded barrel. To be honest, I was never a tactical kind of guy, and I don't miss them. Although it can take 30 round mags, it can also take 10 or even 5 round mags. Of course if they decide to ban all semi-autos......

Please save your comments about me giving up. I'm not, I do what I can to stem the tide, but trying to be realistic. I'm attempting to deal with what may be inevitable and still enjoy the hobby.

So, is anyone else making decisions on firearm purchases based on what they may see coming in the future?

 

[bob97]

To some extent yes. I really want a 357 revolver but its pushed lower on the list because i am relatively sure i will always be able to buy it. Higher on list is cmmg banshee and other things with long magazines.

 

[Gridley]

So, is anyone else making decisions on firearm purchases based on what they may see coming in the future?

Setting aside the rest of the OP, yes I already have. With the passage of a *really* bad state-level ballot initiative I went ahead and bought several firearms on my 'wish list'. The ballot initiate didn't ban them, mind, but it gave us a warning of what they'll be coming for next.

 

[Speedo66]

I opted to go the route of what might be a compliant rifle because that's what I happen to prefer, but I certainly understand and agree with the concept of buying something now which may be banned later, and hopefully will be grandfathered in.

 

[earlthegoat2]

If you want to make decisions based on the future then lots and lots of ammo is where I would focus.

This applies to so much more than future restrictions.

 

[Walkalong]

Spend your efforts fighting the antis, money and time.

That said, if you are in a state where AR's might be banned, and you want one, sure, buy one.

Me? I have prepared for my older years with fun light recoiling firearms.

 

[JR24]

In all honesty from what we see in WA, the next ban will probably hit all Semis, not just so called assault rifles.

But I don't base my purchases on it. Then again I've got all the modern sporting rifles I want or need already.

 

[edwardware]

Please save your comments about me giving up. I'm not, I do what I can to stem the tide, but trying to be realistic. I'm attempting to deal with what may be inevitable and still enjoy the hobby.

I think I spotted your problem: you're preparing for a hobby.

So, is anyone else making decisions on firearm purchases based on what they may see coming in the future?

Yes. I added a supply of evil black rifles, ammo, and supplies, sufficient to contribute to "the security of (my little corner of) the free state." It's not a hobby, and I'm not giving up.

 

[Tommygunn]

In light of possible future assault weapon bans, I have bought several ARs. I plan to buy several more, especially in different calibers and barrel/forend configurations.

I need more storage space .....

 

[rpenmanparker]

In light of possible future assault weapon bans, I have bought several ARs. I plan to buy several more, especially in different calibers and barrel/forend configurations.

I need more storage space .....

What do you plan to do with them? How many can you shoot at one time? How long are you going to live? They are just dust collectors. Buying them would be totally absurd except for one thing: fact is, you are doing the antis’ work for them. You are sequestering assault rifles so bad guys can’t buy them. Good on ya.

 

[edwardware]

What do you plan to do with them? How many can you shoot at one time? How long are you going to live? They are just dust collectors.

That's disappointingly thoughtless. I have them as spares, to use, and to give to others who need them.

You probably have a 5th spare tire in your trunk, right? How many tires can you drive on at once?

 

[Tommygunn]

What do you plan to do with them? How many can you shoot at one time? How long are you going to live? They are just dust collectors. Buying them would be totally absurd except for one thing: fact is, you are doing the antis’ work for them. You are sequestering assault rifles so bad guys can’t buy them. Good on ya.

Do you REALLY think I can buy so many I'd effect the marketplace? Really? I can't shoot them all at once, but I already can't shoot every gun I have "at once," so that's a pretty silly type of metric.

There already people on this forum who have more M4orgeries than they really "need." One member has enough M-1 Carbines to arm a squad of WW2 infantry.

Whatever happens, I will never be able to keep guns away from criminals. The government can't do that and they have NUKES!!!
So anyone thinking I have THAT power is crazy deluded.

 

[AlexanderA]

So, is anyone else making decisions on firearm purchases based on what they may see coming in the future?

I'm not buying much currently, but, sure, this has been a consideration when I was buying.

The problem is that future regulation could go in many different directions. So, the best strategy is hedging. For example, if there is an AWB, whether or not there is grandfathering would be critical. With grandfathering (provided transfers of grandfathered weapons was allowed), having a stock of pre-ban guns could make you rich. On the other hand, without grandfathering, you could end up with a stock of worthless contraband. So, the rational choice would be to invest a moderate amount in such guns. Not so much that you would be badly hurt financially in the most adverse scenario.

Investing in things like revolvers, bolt-action milsurps, and even muzzleloaders, would be safer. All these should be part of a gun-buying plan.

If you want to make decisions based on the future then lots and lots of ammo is where I would focus.

That's true if you do a lot of shooting. If not, a lot of ammo takes up a lot of space. Ammo is a worse financial investment than the guns themselves.

 

[Armored farmer]

I try to be a realist when it comes to the future of firearms. Regardless of what I'd like it to be, based on demographics I've seen, gun owners are a dying breed. With most of the population in cities, they don't use firearms, and many have a dim view of them.

I foresee more regulations, and more stringent laws re: firearms and have been making my purchases with this in mind. We may call AR's "modern sporting rifles", but the media, politicians, and many others, as you know, refer to them as "assault weapons". They have been previously banned and we know there are continuing efforts to restore the ban. It may take a while at the Federal level, but we all see it actually happening in various states.

So how to deal with the future? Although I had one, I was never a fan of AR's and sold it. Having purchased a reasonable amount of ammo, and enjoying the accuracy and low recoil of 5.56, I decided to buy a Ruger Mini-14. I configured it in a manner that I thought would be the least likely to be banned, i.e., no "tactical" features. That eliminated pistol grip stock, and I elected for no muzzle brake or threaded barrel. To be honest, I was never a tactical kind of guy, and I don't miss them. Although it can take 30 round mags, it can also take 10 or even 5 round mags. Of course if they decide to ban all semi-autos......

Please save your comments about me giving up. I'm not, I do what I can to stem the tide, but trying to be realistic. I'm attempting to deal with what may be inevitable and still enjoy the hobby.

So, is anyone else making decisions on firearm purchases based on what they may see coming in the future?

I think I see where you're going with that.....
Are you guessing as to what will be legal, and acceptable in the event of an all-out ban of 'assault style' rifles (ARs)?

 

[ATLDave]

From the thread title, I assumed that the OP was going to explain that he was buying stuff he thought likely to be unavailable in the future, not buying stuff he thinks he would also be able to buy in the future. I don't really understand the logic.

 

[P5 Guy]

I only have two manually operated long guns, a pump shotgun and a single shot 22LR

 

[Robert]

Plan for the worst, expect the best. Since my crystal ball is in the shop I'm not able to predict the future at this moment. Wild speculation does us no good.