No camouflage and face paint for these gun buyers after terrorist attacks

Drizzt · October 12, 2001, 08:11 AM

No camouflage and face paint for these gun buyers after terrorist attacks

The Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) Shooters blew away images of Osama bin Laden's head at a firing range as John Augustus scanned a case of Glocks and thought about self-defense if terrorists strike again.
Firearms retailers across the nation say Augustus fits the profile of the new gun buyer in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Many are professionals who have never owned a weapon, but want extra protection in the case of another attack.

"These aren't people wearing camouflage and face paint," said Karl Durkheimer, owner of The Northwest Armory in Portland, Ore. "There is an increase of female purchasers, increase in older age groups, lots of people wearing Dockers and polo shirts. They seem to be well-educated and well-meaning people."

Shop owners say the buyers understand that a gun won't defend them against every potential threat, but they want a measure of defense.

"I don't think anybody thinks they're going to stop a plane crash or anthrax bomb, but I do think they know the threat is closer than it's ever been," said Ken Goldberg, creator of the bin Laden targets and owner of the range where Augustus perused the handgun selection. "Since we don't know what shape that threat is going to take in the future, people just want to do whatever they can."

Handgun figures show a sharp rise in gun demand after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Requests at the Texas Department of Public Safety for the application packet for a concealed handgun license have soared more than 100 percent since the week of the attacks.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System, an FBI division that conducts instant checks for firearms sales, reports that the checks for long guns, handguns and other transactions increased 21 percent in the month following the Sept. 11 attacks, compared with the same period last year. That follows a 7 percent decline in the period between 1999 and 2000.

Gun opponents, however, warn that buying weapons out of fear about terrorism will do nothing.

"Terrorists are not attacking American institutions with armed troops. I don't know what people are hoping to accomplish with that," said Kenneth Stevens of the Tarrant County chapter of Texans Against Gun Violence.

At the Pistol Parlor Inc. in East Greenbush, N.Y., owner Ed Ott called sales "fantastic" about 40 percent above normal. He said he sold about 500 guns between Sept. 11 and Sept. 30.

"People are finally realizing they have to take care of themselves. The police can't protect them. People are made aware that this sort of thing can happen in the United States," Ott said. "People are not sitting on the fence no more. They're taking action."

Durkheimer said sales for handguns, ammunition and AK-47s have spiked at his shop.

"I don't think our customers are saying, 'Oh God, the Afghans are going to be in Portland tomorrow.' It is about being able to take care of yourself. It's the 'be prepared' mentality," Durkheimer said.

Some shops across the country reported no noticeable increase in the sales of weapons or ammunition.

"We're already armed and dangerous here," said Cody Williams, co-owner of Teton River Traders Gun Shop in Pierre, S.D. "People around here are either prepared or not too damned scared one way or the other."

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20011012_464.html

ABC still has to try to find some way to skew this in their direction

mpthole · October 12, 2001, 09:54 AM

Quote:

"Terrorists are not attacking American institutions with armed troops. I don't know what people are hoping to accomplish with that," said Kenneth Stevens of the Tarrant County chapter of Texans Against Gun Violence.

Can you believe they actually admit that guns are a deterrent to bad guys?!? Of course, this statement probably came out of his cake-hole before the left-wing, wacko part of him could censor it.

h_tolley · October 12, 2001, 10:05 AM

What's wrong with camouflage and face paint?

It sounds like many of the new gun buyers are also spending range time and getting to know their weapon. It always makes me nervous when someone has a gun and no idea how to use it properly. Hopefully some of the new buyers will catch the gun bug and stick with it when things calm down.

capnrik · October 12, 2001, 10:16 AM

I've said this once on a similar thread: We are bound to know some of these new shooters. They might be our neighbor, employee, employer or the girl at the grocery store.

Let's initiate the conversation and take 'em shooting.

Teach gun safety first, then sight picture and trigger pull.

Make sure they have ear protection and eye protection.

Teach 'em how to clean and maintain their new guns.

Then, teach 'em how to vote.

WilderBill · October 12, 2001, 04:12 PM

Right on Rik. I have taken some of my coworkers to the range.
I let 'em buy the ammo so they can decide how much they can afford to shoot. I supply guns and instruction.
It's amazing what a smile they get on there faces!

October 12, 2001, 08:11 AM	#1
Drizzt Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2000 Location: Going Out of My Head at a Rapid Pace..... Posts: 2,511	No camouflage and face paint for these gun buyers after terrorist attacks No camouflage and face paint for these gun buyers after terrorist attacks The Associated Press DALLAS (AP) Shooters blew away images of Osama bin Laden's head at a firing range as John Augustus scanned a case of Glocks and thought about self-defense if terrorists strike again. Firearms retailers across the nation say Augustus fits the profile of the new gun buyer in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Many are professionals who have never owned a weapon, but want extra protection in the case of another attack. "These aren't people wearing camouflage and face paint," said Karl Durkheimer, owner of The Northwest Armory in Portland, Ore. "There is an increase of female purchasers, increase in older age groups, lots of people wearing Dockers and polo shirts. They seem to be well-educated and well-meaning people." Shop owners say the buyers understand that a gun won't defend them against every potential threat, but they want a measure of defense. "I don't think anybody thinks they're going to stop a plane crash or anthrax bomb, but I do think they know the threat is closer than it's ever been," said Ken Goldberg, creator of the bin Laden targets and owner of the range where Augustus perused the handgun selection. "Since we don't know what shape that threat is going to take in the future, people just want to do whatever they can." Handgun figures show a sharp rise in gun demand after the Sept. 11 attacks. Requests at the Texas Department of Public Safety for the application packet for a concealed handgun license have soared more than 100 percent since the week of the attacks. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System, an FBI division that conducts instant checks for firearms sales, reports that the checks for long guns, handguns and other transactions increased 21 percent in the month following the Sept. 11 attacks, compared with the same period last year. That follows a 7 percent decline in the period between 1999 and 2000. Gun opponents, however, warn that buying weapons out of fear about terrorism will do nothing. "Terrorists are not attacking American institutions with armed troops. I don't know what people are hoping to accomplish with that," said Kenneth Stevens of the Tarrant County chapter of Texans Against Gun Violence. At the Pistol Parlor Inc. in East Greenbush, N.Y., owner Ed Ott called sales "fantastic" about 40 percent above normal. He said he sold about 500 guns between Sept. 11 and Sept. 30. "People are finally realizing they have to take care of themselves. The police can't protect them. People are made aware that this sort of thing can happen in the United States," Ott said. "People are not sitting on the fence no more. They're taking action." Durkheimer said sales for handguns, ammunition and AK-47s have spiked at his shop. "I don't think our customers are saying, 'Oh God, the Afghans are going to be in Portland tomorrow.' It is about being able to take care of yourself. It's the 'be prepared' mentality," Durkheimer said. Some shops across the country reported no noticeable increase in the sales of weapons or ammunition. "We're already armed and dangerous here," said Cody Williams, co-owner of Teton River Traders Gun Shop in Pierre, S.D. "People around here are either prepared or not too damned scared one way or the other." http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20011012_464.html ABC still has to try to find some way to skew this in their direction __________________ "That a free citizen should have to go before a committee, hat in hand, and pray for permission to bear arms - fantastic! Arm your daughter, sir, and pay no attention to petty bureaucrats." Robert Heinlein - Red Planet

October 12, 2001, 10:16 AM	#4
capnrik Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 463	This bears repeating... I've said this once on a similar thread: We are bound to know some of these new shooters. They might be our neighbor, employee, employer or the girl at the grocery store. Let's initiate the conversation and take 'em shooting. Teach gun safety first, then sight picture and trigger pull. Make sure they have ear protection and eye protection. Teach 'em how to clean and maintain their new guns. Then, teach 'em how to vote.

October 12, 2001, 04:12 PM	#5
WilderBill Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 609	Right on Rik. I have taken some of my coworkers to the range. I let 'em buy the ammo so they can decide how much they can afford to shoot. I supply guns and instruction. It's amazing what a smile they get on there faces! __________________ I reserve the right to keep AND arm bears. Support those who support us.

October 12, 2001, 10:05 AM	#3
h_tolley Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 150	What's wrong with camouflage and face paint? It sounds like many of the new gun buyers are also spending range time and getting to know their weapon. It always makes me nervous when someone has a gun and no idea how to use it properly. Hopefully some of the new buyers will catch the gun bug and stick with it when things calm down.