Buy a gun

American Handgunner, July-August, 2004 by Roy Huntington

At the SHOT show, I had the pleasure of a nice chat with former Representative Bob Barr. Bob, as you might know, has historically been one of the most pro-gun politicians we've ever had and a true friend of the Second Amendment and gun owners in general. He's a genuine, down-to-earth fellow and offers insight in a first-person, low-key way that puts everyone around him at ease.

It surprised me when Bob said he has been doing some work with the ACLU. Historically, the ACLU bas been virulently anti-gun and remains so today, electing not to represent gun confiscation cases. However, they recently went to bat for the youngster who was disciplined for wearing his "NRA Camp" T-shirt at school. The kid eventually won and I have to doff my hat to Bob and the ACLU for being involved. Bob seems to feel, as he puts it, "This represents a maturation of the national ACLU." Let's hope so.

Bob expressed concern about the assault weapons bill and the fact if Bush signs a re-authorization bill, it will send a clear message regarding this administration's direction and gun-owners will feel betrayed. Bob said, "If that happens, Bush will probably lose the election." At the time I wrote this, things were still up in the air.

But the real meat from our talk was a simple message to gun owners. I asked Bob, "What single, simple thing can someone do to help assure Bush's re-election and to promote a pro gun cause?" I told him I didn't want to hear about passing out leaflets, donating to the Republican campaign, or any of that usual baloney. I wanted something an actual "regular Joe" could do. Bob smiled and said, "That's easy. Go buy a gun. It would send an important message if all gun owners simply went out and bought a gun. Everyone understands a spike in business and people will sit up and take notice."

Think about it for a moment. If every one of us simply purchased a gun this year--from a $150 Ruger 10-22 to a fancy $5,000 custom 1911--it would mean several million guns would be sold. The increase in revenue in our industry would make it strong, employment would soar, everything from raw-goods producers to distributors and dealers would grow and the "other" side would have to take notice. This same spike would give the gun industry needed funds to fight the gun-grabbers, flood the distribution pipeline, light-up the ammo makers and generally make it known we're here to stay and we mean it. Our side would be infinitely stronger and heck, you'd end up with a new gun in the deal.

So ... go buy a gun. And show this to your wife so she understands exactly why you have to.