Just some random thoughts on the current situation.
Is it hoarding or is it prudence? I cast my mind back to 1993 and 1994 - The Brady Bill and the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994. I remember the sweeping changes enacted by The Feds and an enthusiastic enforcement by many states. Overnight the scenery changed - and if you weren't prepared then you were SOL for the next ten years. Admittedly these laws expired and we now have just a few lingering shadows, but at the time it was a scramble moment to get these things (AR's, magazines, etc...) before they were illegaled.
The opponents of 2A are very smart. They are also very crafty. They read the same articles, the same bulletin boards, and the same forums that we do. They don't see a problem; instead, they see an opportunity. An opportunity to enact sweeping changes to make the world a better place as they see fit. They want to tell you how to live, how you should act, what you should or shouldn't support. Guns and Ammo are not part of their worldview and they will go to extraordinary measures to ensure they are not part of yours. If they can't get your guns, why not take away the ammunition?
Many of the "details" of a Bill are buried, or attached as a "rider" to an otherwise unrelated Bill. When will you be accused of sitting on an "Arsenal of 5 guns and thousands of bullets."? The problem we face as volume shooters and reloaders is just that - perception is reality. Even the kindest-hearted liberals became enraged at toilet paper and sanitizer hoarders. The pictures of that little old lady staring at empty shelves, the tear-jerking stories of people not being able to get what they "absolutely needed". But I will lay bets that the people virtue-signalling also had what they needed plus a stash above and beyond that. They certainly aren't buying that TP today, they are just reaching into the closet, or attic, or backyard shed.
When will the tides change, and what will bring them about? Another nutball who decides to take a few folks with him, some mentally diseased individual who crafts a bomb, or a family that is taken away too soon by a lowlife for nefarious reasons? You can bet that there are Bills and other legislation pre-written and waiting for these developments. Ready to put in front of a shocked House, Senate, and President to be enacted at the soonest opportunity and without review.
So I have taken these lessons and learned from them. We live in a capitalist system. The market will determine what the buyer is prepared to purchase. I am still looking for components and I have been "price-gouged" to a certain degree. I have also seen egregious examples of profiteering. I don't like it or agree with it, but it is what it is. I see it as prudence under the current conditions to get what I can, when I can. If that means dropping my standards of living a little then I will. No more road trips, eating sandwiches from home instead of buying lunch, and cancelling a few luxuries. Then venturing forward with these few saved dollars to find what I can.
Sorry if I step on your toes on the way to the counter at the local gun store, or if I put in that last-second bid, or if I clear the shelves just minutes before you get there. If you made it there first then I salute you - maybe we can horse-trade later. Give me the stink-eye and tell me what a bad person I am. I will admit it and walk out the door with a heavy heart - and 12 pounds of powder and 1000 primers.
The world isn't pretty. I just try to live here.
Is it hoarding or is it prudence? I cast my mind back to 1993 and 1994 - The Brady Bill and the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994. I remember the sweeping changes enacted by The Feds and an enthusiastic enforcement by many states. Overnight the scenery changed - and if you weren't prepared then you were SOL for the next ten years. Admittedly these laws expired and we now have just a few lingering shadows, but at the time it was a scramble moment to get these things (AR's, magazines, etc...) before they were illegaled.
The opponents of 2A are very smart. They are also very crafty. They read the same articles, the same bulletin boards, and the same forums that we do. They don't see a problem; instead, they see an opportunity. An opportunity to enact sweeping changes to make the world a better place as they see fit. They want to tell you how to live, how you should act, what you should or shouldn't support. Guns and Ammo are not part of their worldview and they will go to extraordinary measures to ensure they are not part of yours. If they can't get your guns, why not take away the ammunition?
Many of the "details" of a Bill are buried, or attached as a "rider" to an otherwise unrelated Bill. When will you be accused of sitting on an "Arsenal of 5 guns and thousands of bullets."? The problem we face as volume shooters and reloaders is just that - perception is reality. Even the kindest-hearted liberals became enraged at toilet paper and sanitizer hoarders. The pictures of that little old lady staring at empty shelves, the tear-jerking stories of people not being able to get what they "absolutely needed". But I will lay bets that the people virtue-signalling also had what they needed plus a stash above and beyond that. They certainly aren't buying that TP today, they are just reaching into the closet, or attic, or backyard shed.
When will the tides change, and what will bring them about? Another nutball who decides to take a few folks with him, some mentally diseased individual who crafts a bomb, or a family that is taken away too soon by a lowlife for nefarious reasons? You can bet that there are Bills and other legislation pre-written and waiting for these developments. Ready to put in front of a shocked House, Senate, and President to be enacted at the soonest opportunity and without review.
So I have taken these lessons and learned from them. We live in a capitalist system. The market will determine what the buyer is prepared to purchase. I am still looking for components and I have been "price-gouged" to a certain degree. I have also seen egregious examples of profiteering. I don't like it or agree with it, but it is what it is. I see it as prudence under the current conditions to get what I can, when I can. If that means dropping my standards of living a little then I will. No more road trips, eating sandwiches from home instead of buying lunch, and cancelling a few luxuries. Then venturing forward with these few saved dollars to find what I can.
Sorry if I step on your toes on the way to the counter at the local gun store, or if I put in that last-second bid, or if I clear the shelves just minutes before you get there. If you made it there first then I salute you - maybe we can horse-trade later. Give me the stink-eye and tell me what a bad person I am. I will admit it and walk out the door with a heavy heart - and 12 pounds of powder and 1000 primers.
The world isn't pretty. I just try to live here.
