Gun manufacturers gearing up for another record year
It’s nice to hear some encouraging news every once in a while. One being that gun ownership continues to rise despite what media wants to portray.
Many are starting to see that when it comes down to it, defensive gun use truly does save lives. They are starting to understand how important it is to be able to protect yourself and others. Unfortunately sometimes it takes a rise of terrorism or a mass shooting for people to get this…
Ruger CEO projects an even bigger gun sales spike than we saw in 2015.
Sturm Ruger (RGR), which booked a large increase in sales during the holiday quarter, said the presidential election will drive gun demand in 2016.
During a conference call with analysts, Ruger CEO Michael Fifer said the gun maker is telling independent distributors to prepare for an increase in consumer demand before and after the November election.
“We’ve actually encouraged our wholesalers that this summer, anticipating a little bit of a normal seasonal slowdown in the summer, regardless of the politics, that this is the big opportunity to take advantage of the upcoming election,” Fifer said in response to an analyst’s question about inventory. “It really is a big opportunity for them. The day after the election, it’s too late” for wholesalers to add inventory, he added.
Earlier in the call, Fifer said, “I think we’ll see a step up in demand if a Democrat wins the election, particularly so if they win the Senate.”
Fifer also suggested that the pending Supreme Court nomination following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia could also “drive concerns about gun rights.”
Washington politics are known to be a catalyst for gun sales. When lawmakers pushed for new gun control measures in 2013, the FBI reported a record number of background checks completed during the year.
Smith & Wesson also reported positive results for its most recent quarter. In December, the company said its net sales were up 32% at $143.2 million for the three-month period ended Oct. 31, 2015, and earnings more than doubled. Smith & Wesson subsequently raised its outlook last month.
I know my Fiance is itching to get his hands on a new gun and has been browsing a lot recently, and it seems several others I know are looking to buy a gun for the first time or purchase a new addition.
What do you think, is 2016 going to continue to break records in gun sales? Are you or a friend looking to buy a new gun? Let us know in the comments below.
