American gun manufacturers are in trouble. Ironically, with the departure of Barack Obama from the White House, the gun-buying frenzy whipped up by the NRA and its allies (“He’s coming to take your guns! He’s coming to shut down gun stores! Buy all you can NOW!”) has subsided, leading to a huge dip in gun sales. American Outdoor Brands (the owner of Smith & Wesson) has seen its stock fall 50% since the November election, and Sturm Ruger’s stock has fallen 26% over that time.
Americans just aren’t buying guns. So the Trump Administration is planning to make it easier for American gun manufacturers to sell guns outside of America, by shifting responsibility for overseeing international non-military arm sales from the State Dept. (which was trying to prevent American weaponry from getting into the hands of bad actors overseas) to the Commerce Dept. (which is out to increase American trade).
I’m sure all sorts of foreigners are just dying to see that change happen. Or will be dying when it does.
Exclusive: Trump administration prepares to ease export rules for U.S. guns
The Trump administration is preparing to make it easier for American gun makers to sell small arms, including assault rifles and ammunition, to foreign buyers, according to senior U.S. officials.
I guess the AK-47 got too famous and popular and we need to sell something…uh, even famouser and more popular, so much more famouser and more popular you wouldn't believe, believe me, I can't even tell you but if I did, you'd be so impressed. Just really great. The best.
We've overthrown democratically elected governments for less loss to a economic sector.