Earlier today, a member of TTAG’s Armed Intelligentsia emailed me a link to a myfoxhouston.com story chronicling the recent gun sales surge. I asked the commentator for their thoughts on the matter. Here’s the reply:
I believe it is a combination of factors including a general uncertainty and fear due to the economy and world events, fears of a gun grab/ban of some sort and fears of social meltdown. After our learning and experiences in Houston with Ike, I have been working to be more prepared for any sort of disaster but using hurricane preparation as a guide. Economic or social unrest were in the back of my mind as a nagging but low level worry . . .
I kept these efforts pretty low key and under the radar, even my wife’s, which is tough. These are not the sorts of preparations you see on Doomsday Prepper, just extra food, water, cash, ammo, and all the other recommendations of the National Hurricane Center.
A few months ago my wife started asking more questions about being prepared for things and how well prepared we were. It seems a lot of her coworkers were talking about it and many were very serious about it with bug out locations prepared, water filtration systems or wells, and lots of food and supplies.
These are not crazy rednecks. These are professional people with real jobs and families, normal people.
After that I started asking around with some of my coworkers and friends. I was shocked my the number of people who believe some sort of societal/economic catastrophe is likely. Many say that friends and family in the military, law enforcement or DHS are the ones warning of issues to come.
CHL and defensive handgun classes are booked a month out around here.
My wife is very concerned about this possibility and I am not the one bringing it up with her. She asked me if we needed to stock up on ammo and didn’t bat an eye when I wanted to buy a second defensive pistol.
So, the bottom line is, yes, I think a surprising number of people are seriously concerned about some sort of meltdown or crisis. Many of them are buying guns as a result. I don’t think they are preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse but definitely something similar to the aftereffects of Katrina but on a national level.
Just my thoughts.