Sunday, December 20, 2009

Gunachussets

The number of gun permits issued in Massachusetts surged by more than 15 percent over the past two years, reversing nearly a decade of steady declines and marking a pronounced departure for a state known for its antigun sentiment.

The magnitude of the rise, evident in nearly every corner of the state, surprised law enforcement officials, and gun advocates and opponents alike.
What's the explanation for this surge?  Perhaps fear that Democrats would enact new gun control laws, perhaps just increased economic anxiety.  You tell me.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would guess that it's probably due to fear of more state-wide regulation, since the article claims that the number of permits went up almost universally. News of crime seems to me to be more localized, so I would think that increasing (and/or decreasing) crime rates would cause more variation between different regions.

Milton Recht said...

Probably just an artifact of decreased US mobility. Net domestic migration out of MA in 2008 (probably similar in 2009) was a half to a third lower than previous years in this decade. (http://recenter.tamu.edu/data/pops/pops25.htm).

People intending to move out of MA would defer getting a permit for an existing or new gun until they moved to a new state.

Since the move out of MA is unlikely near term, people are probably getting permits in MA that they intended to get in their new state after they moved.

Fady said...

The "surge" is not limited to MA, but is nation wide and not limited to gun permits. Ammo is almost impossible to get (especially in Conceiled Carry calibers). The reasons are many:

1. Fear of increased restrictions: Battle continues on the state fronts, and a strong Democratic majority does not help.
2. Economic: local budget pressure will lead to decreased spending on law enforcement. Couple that with rising crime rate because of economic pressure, and the results are not good.
3. To make a statement: (not sure how many fall in this category) but folks carrying Glocks to NH Presidential town hall and AR15s to an Arizona meeting, are simply ways to saying to the government: watch it buster. Not so fast.

Damon said...

I can't be objective about my own psychology, but I have recently signed up for a gun safety class and fully intend on purchasing my first firearm in early 2010. Ironically, I would never have considered this while in Tampa, some two years ago.

My main motivation is sportsmanship, but I can't deny a certain paranoia about the future of gun ownership rights in an America which I see drifting leftward.

Pass the amo, Professor. =)

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