Gun rush update.

The stampede to buy guns before “Obama bans them” is getting surreal.

I’ve been checking retail prices around the country. The big stores like Gander Mountain put this right on their websites, but it is also possible to check prices at local shops. This is because a number of large wholesalers, notably Davidson’s, will let you pick a gun from their stock then get several quotes for delivery from affiliated retailers in your area.

As expected, military style “assault weapons” have virtually disappeared. High capacity semi-auto pistols are also in short supply and priced accordingly. What is surprising is that many retailers have also raised their prices on guns that nobody has seriously suggested subjecting to further regulation. Many retailers are asking more than MSRP on items like single action revolvers and bolt action rifles. A few weeks ago, before the election, these were often steeply discounted. One local store quoted $756 for a particular Ruger #1 in September, and are now wanting $1150 for the same gun. This is an ultra-traditional single-shot rifle that would be among the very last items subjected to any kind of additional regulation.

Hypothesis: A sizable part of the market believes it will shortly be illegal to buy ANY kind of firearm. This should not really be a surprise given all the hysterical propaganda about the (non-existent) UN small arms treaty or Obama’s intention to seize dictatorial emergency powers.