Is 2012 Presidential Election Fueling Record Gun Sales?

What these reporters keep missing is that fact that the demographic of firearms owners is changing. Yes, there's still a lot of old white guys out there, but we're a dying breed.

The people who have picked up firearms recently are in their 20s and 30s. Most are well educated, and many of them are returning veterans. They are all smart enough to see through the emotional smear campaigns used by the Brady's (and others), and the vets have no fear of scary black 'assault rifles'.

They typically have good jobs (even in this economy) and can afford to shoot for recreation as well as to train for their own self-protection. Interestingly, the fastest growing segment of this group of new shooters seems to be women.

Most of the newer ranges are catering to this demographic. These facilities are clean, well lit and feel more like a GAP store than a gun store. Modern retailing has finally arrived for the firearms industry.

While there was definitely a bump in firearms sales when Mr Obama was elected, that was a short-term increase. However the sales increase over the last few years is not about fear of restrictions.

The professional anti-firearms lobby is fighting a rear-guard action these days. Between court decisions and increased public awareness, they are fighting an increasingly uphill battle.

No, this is different. This is a sea change. We're seeing an entire new generation of shooters enter the field. This is something that hasn't happened since the baby-boomers' generation stigmatized firearms as 'evil' and tried to drive them out of the American experience. I know. I was there.

That tide has turned now, and my guess is that it will continue for years to come.

Huh?

Gun sales surged after President Obama's election. Which candidate (all Republicans) do gun-owners fear?

NOT a single R is running on an anti-gun platform.

Dennis