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Fear prompts gun sales, panic after Colo. massacre
DENVER — Firearms sales are surging in the wake of the Colorado movie theater massacre as buyers express fears that anti-gun politicians may use the shootings to seek new restrictions on owning weapons.
In Colorado, the site of Friday's shooting that killed 12 and injured dozens of others, gun sales jumped in the three days that followed. The state approved background checks for 2,887 people who wanted to purchase a firearm — 25 percent more than the average Friday to Sunday period in 2012 and 43 percent more than the same interval the week prior.
**** Rutan, owner of Gunners Den in suburban Arvada, Colo., said requests for concealed-weapon training certification "are off the hook." His four-hour course in gun safety, required for certification for a concealed-weapons permit in Colorado, has drawn double the interest since Friday.
"What they're saying is: They want to have a chance. They want to have the ability to protect themselves and their families if they are in a situation like what happened in the movie theater," Rutan said.
Day-to-day gun sales frequently fluctuate, but the numbers also look strong outside of Colorado, too.
Seattle's home county, King, saw nearly twice as many requests for concealed pistol licenses than the same timeframe a year ago. Florida recorded 2,386 background checks on Friday, up 14 percent from the week before. Oregon sales on Friday and Saturday were up 11 percent over the month prior. Four days of checks in California were up 10 percent month-to-month.
During the past decade, June and July have consistently been the slowest months for gun sales, according to FBI data.
Jay Wallace, who owns Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna, Ga., found that his sales on Saturday were up 300 percent from the same day a year ago — making it one of the best Saturdays his business has ever had. He said customers are often afraid when there's a gun-related tragedy that some lawmakers might try and push through an anti-gun agenda.
"We shouldn't let one sick individual make us forget and lose sight of freedoms in this country," Wallace said.
Authorities have said that the suspected Colorado shooter, James Holmes, methodically stockpiled weapons and explosives at work and home in recent months. He purchased thousands of rounds of ammunition and a shotgun, a semi-automatic rifle and two Glock pistols, authorities said.
On Friday, clad in head-to-toe combat gear, he burst into a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises," tossed gas canisters into the crowd and opened fire. The shooting killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others.
Police in the Denver suburb of Aurora say Holmes also booby-trapped his apartment. Holmes is now in solitary confinement at a local jail.
The rise in gun sales reflects but one of the anxieties created by the shootings. Since the massacre, there have been reports of chaos at movie theaters, apparently sparked by misunderstandings or careless words.
A confrontation with an intoxicated man in an Arizona theater caused about 50 people to flee, authorities said. A southern California man was arrested after authorities say he made allusions to the Aurora massacre after the movie didn't start on time. In New Jersey, a showing of "Batman" was canceled after someone stood up during the movie, opened an emergency exit and then returned to their seat.
About 90 minutes into a Monday night showing of "Batman" in Santa Monica, Calif., shrieks from some girls sent about two dozen people sprinting for the exit. It turned out that a large man with a backpack was actually not a threat and was simply having a medical problem.
"This was nothing, and yet it startled us and rattled us so much," said moviegoer Paria Sadighi.
Nationally, the shootings have triggered a fierce debate over gun control and whether government has a role in reining in the ownership of firearms.
Gun sales often fluctuate based on news events, especially whenever people think the passage of more restrictive gun laws is imminent. Sales spiked following the election of President Barack Obama, when weapons enthusiasts expressed fear that the Democrat might curtail gun rights. FBI figures also show background checks for handgun sales jumped in Arizona following the shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in 2011.
"It's not uncommon for us to see spikes in requests for concealed pistol licenses when there's a significant gun-related tragedy," said Sgt. Cindi West of the King County sheriff's office in Washington state.
Some Democratic lawmakers in Congress cited the shooting as evidence of the need for tougher gun control laws — particularly a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines. Congress, however, hasn't passed strict legislation in more than a decade, and leaders in Washington show no sign of bringing up such measures any time soon.
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/07/25/12941580-fear-prompts-gun-sales-panic-after-colo-massacre
In Colorado, the site of Friday's shooting that killed 12 and injured dozens of others, gun sales jumped in the three days that followed. The state approved background checks for 2,887 people who wanted to purchase a firearm — 25 percent more than the average Friday to Sunday period in 2012 and 43 percent more than the same interval the week prior.
**** Rutan, owner of Gunners Den in suburban Arvada, Colo., said requests for concealed-weapon training certification "are off the hook." His four-hour course in gun safety, required for certification for a concealed-weapons permit in Colorado, has drawn double the interest since Friday.
"What they're saying is: They want to have a chance. They want to have the ability to protect themselves and their families if they are in a situation like what happened in the movie theater," Rutan said.
Day-to-day gun sales frequently fluctuate, but the numbers also look strong outside of Colorado, too.
Seattle's home county, King, saw nearly twice as many requests for concealed pistol licenses than the same timeframe a year ago. Florida recorded 2,386 background checks on Friday, up 14 percent from the week before. Oregon sales on Friday and Saturday were up 11 percent over the month prior. Four days of checks in California were up 10 percent month-to-month.
During the past decade, June and July have consistently been the slowest months for gun sales, according to FBI data.
Jay Wallace, who owns Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna, Ga., found that his sales on Saturday were up 300 percent from the same day a year ago — making it one of the best Saturdays his business has ever had. He said customers are often afraid when there's a gun-related tragedy that some lawmakers might try and push through an anti-gun agenda.
"We shouldn't let one sick individual make us forget and lose sight of freedoms in this country," Wallace said.
Authorities have said that the suspected Colorado shooter, James Holmes, methodically stockpiled weapons and explosives at work and home in recent months. He purchased thousands of rounds of ammunition and a shotgun, a semi-automatic rifle and two Glock pistols, authorities said.
On Friday, clad in head-to-toe combat gear, he burst into a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises," tossed gas canisters into the crowd and opened fire. The shooting killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others.
Police in the Denver suburb of Aurora say Holmes also booby-trapped his apartment. Holmes is now in solitary confinement at a local jail.
The rise in gun sales reflects but one of the anxieties created by the shootings. Since the massacre, there have been reports of chaos at movie theaters, apparently sparked by misunderstandings or careless words.
A confrontation with an intoxicated man in an Arizona theater caused about 50 people to flee, authorities said. A southern California man was arrested after authorities say he made allusions to the Aurora massacre after the movie didn't start on time. In New Jersey, a showing of "Batman" was canceled after someone stood up during the movie, opened an emergency exit and then returned to their seat.
About 90 minutes into a Monday night showing of "Batman" in Santa Monica, Calif., shrieks from some girls sent about two dozen people sprinting for the exit. It turned out that a large man with a backpack was actually not a threat and was simply having a medical problem.
"This was nothing, and yet it startled us and rattled us so much," said moviegoer Paria Sadighi.
Nationally, the shootings have triggered a fierce debate over gun control and whether government has a role in reining in the ownership of firearms.
Gun sales often fluctuate based on news events, especially whenever people think the passage of more restrictive gun laws is imminent. Sales spiked following the election of President Barack Obama, when weapons enthusiasts expressed fear that the Democrat might curtail gun rights. FBI figures also show background checks for handgun sales jumped in Arizona following the shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in 2011.
"It's not uncommon for us to see spikes in requests for concealed pistol licenses when there's a significant gun-related tragedy," said Sgt. Cindi West of the King County sheriff's office in Washington state.
Some Democratic lawmakers in Congress cited the shooting as evidence of the need for tougher gun control laws — particularly a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines. Congress, however, hasn't passed strict legislation in more than a decade, and leaders in Washington show no sign of bringing up such measures any time soon.
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2012/07/25/12941580-fear-prompts-gun-sales-panic-after-colo-massacre
Unfortunately as a teen, I was present for 3 "drive by" shootings. 2 were at my high school (nobody was hurt, but one building was hit a few times) and the other was at a fair/carnival. That particular incident, there were more than 50 people (myself and a buddy were in that group) standing in a group looking at some new equipment that the Fire Department was showing off and demonstrating.
A car crept towards the group, the head lights went out, the car turned broad side and I just knew what was going to happen. I hit the ground and got as flat as I could behind some of the gear that was there as the shooting began. 10-15 rounds were fired, the car sped off. Fortunately, nobody present was hit.
A car crept towards the group, the head lights went out, the car turned broad side and I just knew what was going to happen. I hit the ground and got as flat as I could behind some of the gear that was there as the shooting began. 10-15 rounds were fired, the car sped off. Fortunately, nobody present was hit.
"For some, just having the gun is good enough for them. For those people, I feel so sorry for them if they ever have to pull that thing and go to work."
I once taught at a High school in East Oakland and during lunch walked to the corner store. There were kids everywhere and a car pulled up and the passenger let go with an automatic weapon. I cannot remember how many rounds only that it seemed a long time.
There was no one killed and one person wounded. Clearly (and thankfully) the guy did not have training.
I would have a gun in the country and I would get training. I support the right to own a gun and a rifle. I just don't get the automatic weapons.
I once taught at a High school in East Oakland and during lunch walked to the corner store. There were kids everywhere and a car pulled up and the passenger let go with an automatic weapon. I cannot remember how many rounds only that it seemed a long time.
There was no one killed and one person wounded. Clearly (and thankfully) the guy did not have training.
I would have a gun in the country and I would get training. I support the right to own a gun and a rifle. I just don't get the automatic weapons.
I really hope I don't get too long winded here. Remember, everything I am saying here is my opinion on the subject and any decision regarding the purchase/ownership of a gun needs to be discussed at great lengths with your hubby.....
Ill try to get to your questions in order. First off, "Is it more dangerous to own one (a gun) than not?" . Good question, but that answer might sound generic. The answer is, it is a matter of opinion and preference. I would not own a gun if I didn't understand just about everything about it. I would want to know as much as possible about it in order to be more comfortable around it. (Don't confuse comfort with complacency.) You WANT to be able to load and unload the gun. You WANT to know how to shoot it. You WANT to know how to clear jam's and how to avoid them.... You want to keep all of that and everything else you learn at the forefront of your mind while handling the gun in order to have a safe experience with the gun. Complacency, obviously is when becomes too comfortable and just puts handling the gun on "cruise control". One starts to go through the motions of handling the gun and forgets one thing, then an accidental discharge happens. (It wouldn't have if the individual was not complacent.) Everyone in the house needs to learn about the gun and should understand exactly what the gun is capable of. Everyone should go through the same process every single time they pick the gun up, step by step. It doesn't ensure that there will be no accidents, but it cuts down on them big time. So, if your not comfortable with the gun and it becomes the monster in the closet, you are not safer having it around. On the other hand, if you and your hubby can operate the gun with the efficiency of a neurosurgeon and can place every single round with surgical accuracy... I personally think you are a damned bit safer having it. (MY opinion.) I think I got both sides and hope that helps.
"Would someone like me pulling out a weapon to try to assist others potentially create more victims then there already were?". That's pretty hypothetical.... so, hypothetically speaking, if you seldom handle your gun, never shoot it and are not sure of its operation and what its capable of, yeah, you're probably going to become part of the problem rather than the solution. On the other hand, if you've trained with this gun so many times and your accuracy is dead on, you may be the solution by placing one well placed round.
There's more to this though. In a high stress situation like an armed gunman randomly firing into a crowd of people, a lot of things happen to us. (Fight or flight kicks in) Am I leaving or am I addressing this situation? If you commit, you have to do so 100%. Anything else will probably cost you and those near you injury or death. In high stress situations, our fine motor skills go to hell in a hand basket. That will affect the way you operate. "Tunnel vision" becomes an issue because you are not focused on the bigger picture.... like not only who you are about to engage, but who is around them, what is around them, what is on the other side of them?
The answer is training. Seek as many professional hand gun instructors as you can afford to take classes with. Go shoot as often as you can and each time shoot a minimum of 100 rounds. Get used to holstering and drawing the weapon. Get very used to loading and charging the weapon properly.... what you're trying to develop is "muscle memory". If you do the same thing correctly (or incorrectly for that matter) it becomes second nature. In a high stress situation, that is what you're looking for.
"Should people have to prove proficiency to the level that people like you have?". I've got no problem with that. In fact, part of me getting my concealed weapons permit (which I no longer need in this state to carry in this state) was to take one of a couple preferred gun courses taught by registered and trained professionals and had to prove my proficiency to those individuals. They put me through numerous drills and scenarios and I had to prove myself as "fit to carry". Again, practice makes perfect.
You keep asking and I'll keep answering. Owning is a preference matter, not to be taken lightly.
Ill try to get to your questions in order. First off, "Is it more dangerous to own one (a gun) than not?" . Good question, but that answer might sound generic. The answer is, it is a matter of opinion and preference. I would not own a gun if I didn't understand just about everything about it. I would want to know as much as possible about it in order to be more comfortable around it. (Don't confuse comfort with complacency.) You WANT to be able to load and unload the gun. You WANT to know how to shoot it. You WANT to know how to clear jam's and how to avoid them.... You want to keep all of that and everything else you learn at the forefront of your mind while handling the gun in order to have a safe experience with the gun. Complacency, obviously is when becomes too comfortable and just puts handling the gun on "cruise control". One starts to go through the motions of handling the gun and forgets one thing, then an accidental discharge happens. (It wouldn't have if the individual was not complacent.) Everyone in the house needs to learn about the gun and should understand exactly what the gun is capable of. Everyone should go through the same process every single time they pick the gun up, step by step. It doesn't ensure that there will be no accidents, but it cuts down on them big time. So, if your not comfortable with the gun and it becomes the monster in the closet, you are not safer having it around. On the other hand, if you and your hubby can operate the gun with the efficiency of a neurosurgeon and can place every single round with surgical accuracy... I personally think you are a damned bit safer having it. (MY opinion.) I think I got both sides and hope that helps.
"Would someone like me pulling out a weapon to try to assist others potentially create more victims then there already were?". That's pretty hypothetical.... so, hypothetically speaking, if you seldom handle your gun, never shoot it and are not sure of its operation and what its capable of, yeah, you're probably going to become part of the problem rather than the solution. On the other hand, if you've trained with this gun so many times and your accuracy is dead on, you may be the solution by placing one well placed round.
There's more to this though. In a high stress situation like an armed gunman randomly firing into a crowd of people, a lot of things happen to us. (Fight or flight kicks in) Am I leaving or am I addressing this situation? If you commit, you have to do so 100%. Anything else will probably cost you and those near you injury or death. In high stress situations, our fine motor skills go to hell in a hand basket. That will affect the way you operate. "Tunnel vision" becomes an issue because you are not focused on the bigger picture.... like not only who you are about to engage, but who is around them, what is around them, what is on the other side of them?
The answer is training. Seek as many professional hand gun instructors as you can afford to take classes with. Go shoot as often as you can and each time shoot a minimum of 100 rounds. Get used to holstering and drawing the weapon. Get very used to loading and charging the weapon properly.... what you're trying to develop is "muscle memory". If you do the same thing correctly (or incorrectly for that matter) it becomes second nature. In a high stress situation, that is what you're looking for.
"Should people have to prove proficiency to the level that people like you have?". I've got no problem with that. In fact, part of me getting my concealed weapons permit (which I no longer need in this state to carry in this state) was to take one of a couple preferred gun courses taught by registered and trained professionals and had to prove my proficiency to those individuals. They put me through numerous drills and scenarios and I had to prove myself as "fit to carry". Again, practice makes perfect.
You keep asking and I'll keep answering. Owning is a preference matter, not to be taken lightly.
And on top of that, what if someone like me was in that theater and armed. Of course I would try to help and do something. So would someone like me pulling out a weapon to try to assist others potentially create more victims then there already were? Gun control aside, should those that carry be held to a higher standard in terms of level of training? Should they perhaps have to prove proficiency to the level that people like you have? It really opens up the door to a lot of questions in my mind.
It really does make you wonder (and kind of worry) doesn't it. I look at my own personal situation. I am not experienced with guns at all. I did not grow up with them and can truthfully say I know little to nothing about them. I am however considering buying one. Now, I wouldn't go out with it (that's illegal here anyway), so for me it would be about home protection, particularly when I am home alone with my child. I would imagine it would take me years and years to get to where you and R Glass are, if ever. So for someone like me, is it more dangerous to own one then not? Something I have to think about as part of my decision I suppose.
You bring up and interesting point when you mentioned, "I wonder how many out there are armed who don't know what they are doing?". I couldn't give you an accurate number, but I would guarantee that it is a sizable number.... This correlates with the average gang member mentality. (They have guns for protection, but have spent very little time practicing with it....) Honestly, I don't practice as much as I'd like to. I'd grade my ability as proficient at best.
It's funny what makes people comfortable. Consider a home security system, complete with burglar alarms, motion sensors, heat sensors, smoke alarms.... complete system, state of the art. You set the alarm before you go to bed knowing that if anyone tried to enter the home, not only would you have fair warning, but calls would go out immediately to 911 emergency response personnel. That would make a lot of people sleep better..... now imagine the same system and not knowing how it worked or how to arm it. Paints a different picture, doesn't it?
There are probably a good sized number of people who carry that are not proficient. (Gang members and punks excluded, having a gun for them is a status symbol and very few are proficient.) For some, just having the gun is good enough for them. For those people, I feel so sorry for them if they ever have to pull that thing and go to work.
It's funny what makes people comfortable. Consider a home security system, complete with burglar alarms, motion sensors, heat sensors, smoke alarms.... complete system, state of the art. You set the alarm before you go to bed knowing that if anyone tried to enter the home, not only would you have fair warning, but calls would go out immediately to 911 emergency response personnel. That would make a lot of people sleep better..... now imagine the same system and not knowing how it worked or how to arm it. Paints a different picture, doesn't it?
There are probably a good sized number of people who carry that are not proficient. (Gang members and punks excluded, having a gun for them is a status symbol and very few are proficient.) For some, just having the gun is good enough for them. For those people, I feel so sorry for them if they ever have to pull that thing and go to work.
Well, if God forbid I ever find myself in a theater (or other) with an armed lunatic I sure hope someone like you, Brice or another that really knows how to handle a gun is there and armed.
I can tell you though that this situation really got me thinking about the whole gun control issue. I fully agree that people should be able to defend themselves and other innocents. 100%. It does make me wonder though how many folks are out there armed who don't really know what they are doing, or how to properly handle a weapon. Or how many would panic in a crisis situation vs. be able to calmly handle things. I will admit that that prospect frightens me a bit. I hope that most who are armed are smart enough to be well practiced in shooting and well trained in gun safety.
I can tell you though that this situation really got me thinking about the whole gun control issue. I fully agree that people should be able to defend themselves and other innocents. 100%. It does make me wonder though how many folks are out there armed who don't really know what they are doing, or how to properly handle a weapon. Or how many would panic in a crisis situation vs. be able to calmly handle things. I will admit that that prospect frightens me a bit. I hope that most who are armed are smart enough to be well practiced in shooting and well trained in gun safety.
I would guess the average caliber carried is the 9mm. I love the 9mm; it is a fun gun to shoot and not much recoil. This makes it easier to be accurate. The problem is, the lack of “Knock Down” Power. It will not penetrate a bulletproof vest and even without the vest, a head or heart shot would only stop him in his tracks. This is why I prefer larger calibers but unless you do a lot of practicing, I don’t recommend them because of the recoil. I used to be an avid primitive weapon hunter. Bow and Muzzle Loader only (at the end of the season, if I didn’t have enough meat in the freezer, I would break out the 270.) This type of hunting programs you to make the 1st shot count because more than likely; you are only going to get one shot. With that said, I don’t think I would have had any problem taking him out.
I just reread your post. Honestly, you kind of make my point. If someone like you were in there, that would be good. If someone like me were in there trying to take him out, I suspect I might hurt more then help? I mean, the average person carrying is probably a bit more like me, no? It does make one think.
"Causing more injury"? Did you mean additional injury to what is probable regarding the situation? Maybe not... This is a dicey subject. Probably not "more injury" because this persons attempts would be to stop the assailant. There is a possibility that he/she may hit an innocent bystander, but we know damned well what this guys intentions were. He was going to kill as many as possible, so if one reacted and accidentially hit someone in the fray, potentially, he/she thwarted "more" killings but added an additional fatality or injury.
Fact of the matter is, people who shoot for a living and have to react in situations like this, often do not hit their mark. Your fine motor skills go to hell in a hand cart when put under this kind of pressure. BEing able to react in situations like this does require a lot of training to accurately dispatch an assailant, or at least incapacitate him/her.
Quick story.... One of my buddies was the armorer for the local sheriff's department and was also the leader of the swat team. Part of his job was to "drill" the patrol deputies in regular "qualification drills" to assure their ability to operate their weapons in a safe and effective manner. On the day I was present, I out shot 3 of 5 deputies doing exactly the same drills. Keep in mind, I am a civilian.... So, some of the people who are out there to "serve and protect" are not as good with their weapons as I am. (That is pitiful if you ask me.) Them being sworn officers whose very lives may depend on their ability to operate their guns in a safe and effective manner, do not take the time to PRACTICE!!!
Whats worse, these very officers are allotted quite a few rounds a month for practice and they either do not practice or are satisfied with reaching a "qualified" status.
There are not a whole bunch of civilians that have the training that would be necessary to address a situation like this. Even seasoned professionals get jammed up in these situations. REaction to things like this are "situational". At times, one may react within reason and do so accurately. AT other times, either fail to address the problem which in itself could result in "more" deaths.
If I ever found myself in a situation like this, (I hope to hell I never do) I feel secure enough with my ability to address the problem.
There's an old saying that says, "I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6 or 8".
Fact of the matter is, people who shoot for a living and have to react in situations like this, often do not hit their mark. Your fine motor skills go to hell in a hand cart when put under this kind of pressure. BEing able to react in situations like this does require a lot of training to accurately dispatch an assailant, or at least incapacitate him/her.
Quick story.... One of my buddies was the armorer for the local sheriff's department and was also the leader of the swat team. Part of his job was to "drill" the patrol deputies in regular "qualification drills" to assure their ability to operate their weapons in a safe and effective manner. On the day I was present, I out shot 3 of 5 deputies doing exactly the same drills. Keep in mind, I am a civilian.... So, some of the people who are out there to "serve and protect" are not as good with their weapons as I am. (That is pitiful if you ask me.) Them being sworn officers whose very lives may depend on their ability to operate their guns in a safe and effective manner, do not take the time to PRACTICE!!!
Whats worse, these very officers are allotted quite a few rounds a month for practice and they either do not practice or are satisfied with reaching a "qualified" status.
There are not a whole bunch of civilians that have the training that would be necessary to address a situation like this. Even seasoned professionals get jammed up in these situations. REaction to things like this are "situational". At times, one may react within reason and do so accurately. AT other times, either fail to address the problem which in itself could result in "more" deaths.
If I ever found myself in a situation like this, (I hope to hell I never do) I feel secure enough with my ability to address the problem.
There's an old saying that says, "I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6 or 8".
So being that I know little to nothing about guns (and I mean that seriously, not sarcastically at all), would the average gun someone might be carrying have gone through his bullet proof vest? And also, would you have been comfortable discharging it in that type of situation? (keep in mind, little to no experience with guns here, so I know I would have been afraid I would hit another innocent). I guess my fear would be that someone trying to do the right thing in taking this guy out would cause more injury or death? I guess it depends on who did the shooting back. I just think it must have been total chaos in there.
Damn straight!! I so agree...
“how would armed people in that theater of helped? “
That’s why I always pack a large caliber. It doesn’t matter what he is wearing 1 shot will knock him down and the next will explode his Pumpkin.
That’s why I always pack a large caliber. It doesn’t matter what he is wearing 1 shot will knock him down and the next will explode his Pumpkin.
I saw this on the news. And I sure can understand why people are doing this and why they are afraid. I cannot say I would do any differently. However, thinking about it, how would armed people in that theater of helped? I can't imagine anyone but that lunatic opening fire in a crowded theater full of panicked people. Sadly, when someone is determined to kill, they will probably be successful.
I'd guess it's a combination of both. Fear is a good motivator.
Fear sure does get people moving doesnt it? I wonder if its the fear of government regulation of guns or fear of ones self protection, or a combination of both.
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