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* CNN Money…
Background checks for gun purchases surged in Illinois to an all-time high in August, far exceeding the national average. […]
The Illinois tally for last month was 185,912 background checks, compared to 94,314 in August 2015. Not only was this a record for the state, it’s the first time the monthly tally for background checks exceeded 100,000. […]
This happened as Chicago’s murder toll was heading for a grim milestone: 500 homicides by Labor Day weekend. That’s already exceeded the 480 murders recorded in Chicago for all of 2015.
But [Mike Harrah, manager of Marengo Guns in Illinois] said that his customers seem to be more focused on politics, than crime.
“They’re all talking about Hillary,” he said, referring to Clinton’s gun control policy. He said that AR-15s continue to sell briskly because customers fear she’ll make good on her promise “to keep military-style weapons off our streets.”
I dunno about the Hillary thing. According to the article, background checks increased just 6 percent nationally in August, compared to a year ago.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 1:46 pm
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Previous Post: Well, at least he’s celebrating something positive
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Huh…
I figured Obama had already taken all of our guns away.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 1:49 pm
Thank God I moved back to my home town. I feel so much safer now that everybody I knew in high school that was grossly irresponsible is packing heat 24/7.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Nothing to be concerned about. After all this is a flyover State for Hilary. Remember the political pundits said it was in the bag. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm????????
Comment by The All Knowing Oz Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 1:54 pm
Get ‘em while they’re hot, boys and girls.
MrJM- nicely done as always.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Obama and Clinton. The best thing that happened to the gun industry.
Comment by Rough Rider Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 1:57 pm
Gun sales surge when there’s a perceived (whether correct or not) threat to the right to purchase them. It’s not a new phenomenon
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:13 pm
I don’t have the money to purchase an AR-15, but if Hillary Clinton is elected president, I will make sure to purchase one before any legislation (or ‘executive order’) is passed.
Comment by Shanks Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:22 pm
I took my CCL class a few months back.
At one point, the instructor blurted out some false flag stuff about Obama and Clinton taking our guns away.
I replied that it was ashamed how we couldn’t own a gun or get our CCL anymore.
He was not amused.
I told him I was just pointing out the fact that we actually have more freedom of ownership (CCL) in Illinois than we have ever enjoyed in the last 50 years. While Obama is president.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:22 pm
That’s what the NRA would want you to do Shanks. Food is over-rated anyway.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:31 pm
The NRA is doing its job. Whipping up fear. Setting new records for gun sales. Guaranteeing even higher contributions by gun manufacturers.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:40 pm
Again, up here in NW IL, still waiting to meet someone who had their guns confiscated by the Obama administration. I’m guessing that I will still be waiting 4 years from now if Hillary is elected. SMH…..
Comment by Galena Guy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:41 pm
Would have been nice if the story had a county by county comparison. It would have possibly provided some fact based insight into where the growth came from.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:44 pm
===It’s not a new phenomenon ===
It is here. Of that magnitude, anyway.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:44 pm
it never ceases to amaze me that your low information media types can get things so wrong as to attribute all the homicides in Chicago and everywhere else to the number of AR-15s. Ever try to hide an AR-15 in your pants? Chicago homicides are mainly due to handguns, NOT your evil AR-15. Mine sits very politely right next to my pit-bull. who happens to get the snot beat out of her but a cat 1/10th her size…..
Comment by Silent Majority Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:45 pm
Ah, the hoplophobes speak…
Comment by DGD Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:47 pm
I did have a total stranger remark to me in the ammo section of a Springfield store that all that ammo would be gone if Hillary were elected. I just walked away.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:53 pm
Come on folks the NRA offers health and life insurance along with preservation skills and home defense ! Why’s that any different than OBama ? ….maybe a little snark…or not !
Comment by Railrat Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:56 pm
“I figured Obama had already taken all of our guns away.”
But… but… he still has 4.5 months! He’s just saving Illinois for last! /s
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 2:57 pm
I have to admit that I’m concerned about the entire concept of “Buy guns now because BIG GOVERNMENT IS COMING TO TAKE THEM AWAY!”
When people who think others are out to get them want to have guns, it is disconcerting.
It really seems like the people buying most guns are not the calm and rational types.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:11 pm
This number may include background checks for FOID and CCL.
Comment by Trolling Troll Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Maybe it’s a fear of Zika driving up sales. Isn’t Zika the start of the zombie apocalypse
Comment by Publius Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:12 pm
I believe Silent Majority is correct.
There is so much talk about AR-15s and “assault weapons” that people are sort of taking their off the ball.
If people are buying an AR-15 as a cool toy, I get it. We all have our weird hobbies. As noted from my name, I spend Saturday mornings watching Brits, Germans and Spaniards kick a ball around, and get very wound up about who can kick it where. I’m not going to judge how another person is amused.
Still, the idea that anybody needs them to defend a house, or that limiting them will end gang crime, is just ridiculous. If you really think you need a gun to defend your home, there are far better options. And as noted, the AR-15 is not exactly the weapon of choice on the west side.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:18 pm
The rabid gun folks simply suffer from the exact same thing that much of the public does, a belief that politicians will be able to actually do what they either promise to do or want to do.
Trump can’t build a wall.
Obama and Hillary can’t take your guns.
At least not without a radical change in Congress.
Rogh Rider had it right, “Obama and Clinton. The best thing that happened to the gun industry.”
When all is said and done, those two will have put more guns in more people’s hands than Oliver Winchester and Eliphalet Remington could have ever dreamed.
Strange sometimes how things work out.
Comment by m Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:21 pm
Shanks- $600 rifles were going for $2-3 thousand after Obama’s 2012 re-election. And now they’re selling for $600 again. My point is, I think you should rethink your plan.
Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:25 pm
The problem is that Hillary has endorsed Australian-style gun confiscation, and makes it a point to talk about her gun control agenda. With Obama’s free usage of executive orders for various things, the fear of what the NRA is ranting about is (probably) justified.
Ammo shortages may happen again, because of unrealistic legislation to identify ammunition-the technology simply isn’t there at this time.
Other than the gun issue, Hillary is more in line with my beliefs than Trump, but because of her comments about gun control, I can’t vote for her… Vote for Gary Johnson-Libertarian Candidate.
Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:26 pm
It might help folks here for people to switch Obama and Hillary with Rauner, and guns with unions, to understand the phenomenon.
Comment by m Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:26 pm
M,
Many on the far left wish President Obama would treat guns like Gov. Rauner treats unions.
However, it has never occurred.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:28 pm
Stopped at a diner today. The waitress told me that there had been a shooting down the street earlier in the mid-morning.
A homeowner entered his property and a burglary was in progress. The youthful criminals shot him in the arm and fled.
Sign of the times, I guess.
@J.S. Mill:
“I told him I was just pointing out the fact that we actually have more freedom of ownership (CCL) in Illinois than we have ever enjoyed in the last 50 years. While Obama is president.”
You omitted to mention that the freedom is due to the court decisions. Obama had nothing to do with it.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:33 pm
Just what is “Clinton’s gun control policy”?
Comment by Southern Dawg Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 3:34 pm
So one out of fifty people in the Illinois over-18 population were trying to buy a gun last month…
Comment by Stuff Happens Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:02 pm
=You omitted to mention that the freedom is due to the court decisions. Obama had nothing to do with it.=
Nope. I didn’t omit that.
I am well versed on how and why it happened.
You actually make my point for me. Obama neither supported or opposed CCL in Illinois.
As you said, he had nothing to do with it.
That includes taking guns from people. Which is what the gun industry and under informed conspiracy theory types want people to believe.
It is a false flag.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:03 pm
As someone who just purchased a “military-style weapon” I can tell you that neither crime nor politics factored into my decision. Instead, I bought it because I enjoy the challenge of shooting. (also because it was on sale)
Comment by SC Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:51 pm
“When all is said and done, those two will have put more guns in more people’s hands than Oliver Winchester and Eliphalet Remington could have ever dreamed.”
The big question in my mind is will the many new guns on the street save any lives in Chicago or will it only enriched the gun sellers?
Comment by Small town taxpayer Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 4:54 pm
I added to that total. I think it is reasonable when Hillary specifically cites the Australian “mandatory buyback” as a good idea. That being said, I have a great distaste for both major candidates. Vote Rich’s dog for prez 2016!
Comment by Alskid Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 5:03 pm
My guess is that this is an error in the data reporting of some type and not a true massive rush to buy firearms that is only occurring in Illinois. It seems like something to follow up with the FBI to see if they have an answer.
Considering that this article incorrectly states that anyone bringing a gun into the state now requires a state issued ID card, I doubt that the writer put a whole lot of time into this article.
Comment by SC Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 5:05 pm
Two or more are accountable to me. You have to pass a background check to pick up a firearm held as collateral by a pawn broker. Just saying, that figure does not represent the number of new guns out there. Then again, I believe one could purchase multiple firearms with the same background check.
Comment by PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 5:27 pm
==I think it is reasonable when Hillary specifically cites the Australian “mandatory buyback” as a good idea.==
There’s too many guns in America to make that idea feasible.
Comment by Timmeh Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 9:09 pm
Mr. & Mrs. Old Blue definetly fall into the category of ‘buy em while you can.’
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 10:15 pm
God forbid, but Hillary’s unattainable gun control dreams (for the first time in memory the Democratic national platform doesn’t mention the Second Amendment) may just deliver us into the arms of the buffoon, Trump. The race is tightening day by day, and we may all come to rue the day she decided to endorse Australian type gun confiscation. Yeah, she did.
Comment by striketoo Thursday, Sep 8, 16 @ 11:19 pm
This is more of the same nonsense that has happened over the past two elections. Irrational fears of “they’re coming for our guns” translates into a rush to buy guns. If you want to buy guns, go for it. But don’t use the laughable fear of “they’re coming for our guns” as a reason to do it.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 8:13 am