Americans buy record numbers of guns for Christmas

By Nick Allen

According to the FBI, over 1.5 million background checks on customers were requested by gun dealers to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System in December. Nearly 500,000 of those were in the six days before Christmas.

It was the highest number ever in a single month, surpassing the previous record set in November.

On Dec 23 alone there were 102,222 background checks, making it the second busiest single day for buying guns in history.

The actual number of guns bought may have been even higher if individual customers took home more than one each.

Explanations for America's surge in gun buying include that it is a response to the stalled economy with people fearing crime waves. Another theory is that buyers are rushing to gun shops because they believe tighter firearms laws will be introduced in the future..
The National Rifle Association said people were concerned about self defense because police officer numbers were declining.
A spokesman said: "I think there's an increased realization that when something bad occurs it's going to be between them and the criminal."
But anti-gun campaigners said those who already owned weapons were simply hoarding more of them due to "fear-mongering" by the NRA.
A spokeswoman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said: "The research we've seen indicates fewer and fewer people are owning more and more guns."
Dave LaRue, of Legendary Guns in Phoenix, Arizona, said Christmas sales were up 25 per cent on the previous year and ammunition sales were also "brisk".
He said: "There are a lot of people concerned about pending gun legislation and the sense about the current administration. People think future availability will be limited and there's a feeling of get it while you can."
The record for gun sales in a single day was set in November, on the day after Thanksgiving, when 129,166 background searches were carried out on customers buying weapons.
Since the near-fatal shooting of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords by a deranged gunman in Tucson, Arizona last January there have been increasing calls for tighter gun control. Miss Giffords survived being shot in the head with a semi-automatic handgun, and six other people were killed.

Yes, I would agree that this is simply 'Fear-mongering' by the NRA and the Republican Party. After all, the Republicans are out to 'take back the White House', a.k.a., defeat President Obama and the Democratic Party.
Realistically, I do not see any new regulations or new demands for regulations, unless and/or until the is a major incident, such as 'The Virginia Tech Shooting'.
As far as crime waves go, with an improving economy, I would say, is also becoming less likely, but one never knows for sure, with Human nature.
This is where, IMO, we remember the words of one of our greater former presidents--President Franklin D. Roosevelt--"We have nothing to fear, but fear itself."
Unfortunately, Human Nature is Human Nature, where fear and hate are easier to stir up than faith, courage and most especially-Tolerance. Yet, Jesus called his followers to 'Love enemies' and 'To pray for those who persecute you', along with slapped to 'Turn the other cheek also'. All the above is easier said than done, which is why it is the path of the few. Also, since Jesus did not say when, I would assume that that applies equally in Times of Peace as in Times of War.