Even as the number of gun owners (and hunters) declines in the US, guns continue to be a hot commodity, with a small fraction of the population buying up ever-increasing weapons for … well, for all sorts of reasons, including some ever-escalating fear-mongering from the unofficial lobbyists for the gun and ammo manufacturers of America, the NRA.
While reading about the NRA’s rhetoric is fascinating (and maddening), the numbers cited in the article are also worth a look-at, as we continue to debate the role of guns in our society.
But over the past few decades, Americans have lost their taste for hunting. Only 15 percent of us now say we ever hunt, less than half as many as in the 1970s. In any given year, maybe a third of those hunters among us, 5 percent of Americans, actually slog through fields and forests with rifles and shotguns.
In fact, fewer of us now own any kind of gun for any reason—even as the number of guns has increased phenomenally. In the 1970s about half of Americans had a gun, and it was almost always just a gun, one on average. Today only about a quarter of Americans own guns—but the average owner has three or four. Fewer than 8 million people, only 3 percent of all American adults, own roughly half the guns. Members of that tiny minority of superenthusiasts own an average of 17 guns apiece.
Fewer people, with more guns. I’m not sure that sounds healthy. Especially when they’re being told they have to buy them or else face death at the hands of terrorists and tyrants.
America’s Gun Zealots Are Preparing for a Violent Showdown That Exists Only in Their Minds
Just 3 percent of the nation owns half its firearms. They’re preparing to live out a twisted fantasy.
For a dozen years I had a neighbor with such a large gun collection be had to build a special safe room for them. Hundreds of weapons of every sort. It was such a relief when they moved away.
He was a dod employee, a member of more than one militia and a native of Idaho.
Great read, thank you.
+Melody Peters Yikes.
I can see collecting guns as a collector. Heck, I can see enjoying sports shooting of guns.
Collecting guns to serve as an armory for your militia? That's a bit more problematic.
The good news is that even if they own 100 guns (and I know people who do) they can only shoot two at once.
guns distribution trends similarly to wealth distribution
I own four guns and only go out shooting once in a while. When I have a disposable income (again) there are a few guns I'd like to own just because: a 1911 .45ACP and a Circuit Judge.
This is the part that bothers me:
Especially when they're being told they have to buy them or else face death at the hands of terrorists and tyrants.
I saw a post on here just a couple of hours ago where someone (a politically Right person) mentioned the upcoming second civil war and the 8 trillion rounds of ammo the "right" has stockpiled for use against pinko liberals. Okay, the "pinko liberals" part I added. Still .. the fact that some people earnestly believe this is frightening.
https://plus.google.com/+BlondieAnnabelleBella/posts/BmT7jD6DYC1
+Jason ON in some scenarios, civil war suits TPTB.
TBTP, +Melody Peters?
+Jason ON my suitcase acronym for the powers that be, whoever and from wherever authoritarianism, tyranny and injustice emerge.
+Melody Peters ah, okay.
Has anybody gotten an ammosexual to admit that no, Obama wasn't coming for their guns after all?
+Valdis Klētnieks Of course not. Because he was, but true patriots like Wayne Lapierre and Clive Bundy made him back down. QED.
+Boris Borcic that's scary and unsurprising
while in a grocery store looking to buy cookies advertised to be on sale, I saw this on the magazine rack. I thought, what a weird fantasy world they're encouraging. The "family" is given dramatic lighting via hdr, and crouching out in the open, and not behind cover. What ridiculous shit.
https://plus.google.com/photos/…
+Geo. Tirebiter It looks like satire, sadly it isn't. Poe's law used in reverse, to target the few it predicts.