From Wisconsin to Colorado to Texas, several states are reporting record gun sales, or at least record numbers of requests for background checks for gun sales. There are reports of long lines at gun stores, guns and ammunition "flying off the shelves" all over the U.S., including my home area of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. According to the L.A. Times and other media, this is a nationwide phenomenon.
Some have dismissed this trend as just a reaction to the opening of hunting season or the downturn in the economy. My take: the opening of hunting season in the south and midwest, especially, did not just become a big deal in 2008. Many schools in this part of the country have "deer days" at the start of gun deer season and have for years. This recession, which is what it is regardless of what Phil Gramm or anyone else wants to call it, is certainly not the first of its' kind in recent memory.
No, this is a reaction from much of rural America to the election of Barack Obama, in my opinion. What do I base this opinion on? I live in a city of around 80,000 people, but there are over 200,000 in the immediate area, probably. In this part of the country, not just in rural parts outside Fort Smith, but in this city, there are many hunting enthusiasts. Even many Doctors and white collar professionals hunt, and I come in daily contact with many of them. Now, I'm not what you'd call an expert marksman or anything, don't belong to the NRA due to their extreme political stances, but I do know how to shoot a gun and support hunters' rights and the right for people to defend their family and property, within reason.
However, crime or a weak economy is not the reason for this development. Many gun owners are concerned that Barack Obama will put new restrictions on handguns, assault rifles and certain kinds of ammo. This would account for most of the increase, one would think. What's disturbing is the number of people who have been quoted, who have told me directly, or that I have overheard, saying that they fear a "race war" or that somehow, Barack Obama's election as President means a massive muslim invasion of our shores.
Recently in a local Wal-Mart Supercenter, a man was loudly proclaiming in the checkout line that Obama was "a muslim" and "some-bidy (sic) oughta shoot that 'sum-bitch'. If I could have gotten his license number, I would have reported him. I know, such crackpots are on the fringes of society and in no way represent most of the good citizens of our area. However, in the days since Nov. 4, there has been a definite increase in the number of crude, racially oriented "jokes" and moronic comments such as the Wal-Mart guy.
It would be foolish for Barack Obama to attempt to restrict gun rights at the start of his administration, especially. With the economy in the dumper, rising unemployment, the financial crisis, health care, Iraq, and so many others issues on his plate, Obama would lose all credibility, and could indeed spark social unrest. In a speech in Ohio, a state I've traveled a few times, Barack Obama stated clearly that he's not "going to come after your rifle, your shotgun, or your handgun". There are many hunters in Ohio and people there expect one to be true to his word.
One of the great ironies in this year's election was the number of hunters and gun owners in OH, PA, and other midwestern and even some southern states, who supported Hillary Clinton in the primaries. In the past, Hillary was considered a "she-devil" who would confiscate guns, promote witchcraft, force everyone to drive on the wrong side of the road, and support the designated hitter rule, according to the "good ol' boys" who held such views. In 2008, Hillary Clinton was considered by most of the country as mainstream. "That one", Barack Obama, was considered the "dangerous" candidate for President.
Folks, in short, Barack Obama is way too smart a politician to let the country get overrun, or try to take away the guns of law-abiding citizens, in spite of that slip about voters who "cling to guns and religion". Not that he would do that, anyway. Barack Obama is not a muslim, in spite of his middle name. It would not be in his interest to enslave white people or any of the other wild, baseless accusations that have been made. The "black helicopter" crowd spreading this sort of tripe remind me of some who said in the 80's that Ronald Wilson Reagan was the anti-christ, due to six letters comprising each of his three names. Oh yeah, Barack Hussein Obama is 6-7-5, check for yourself.
As "politically incorrect" as it is considered to be to talk or write about some of these things, it is my view that the sooner we get a lot of this stuff out in the open, the better off we'll all be. Barack Obama was elected, not just of a part of the country, or just certain groups, but as President of the United States, a duty I believe Obama takes seriously.
I don't agree with some of Barack Obama's positions, but the man was duly elected President and deserves a chance to govern the country, within our system of checks and balances. I hope for all our sakes that he does a good job as President and I believe he will.
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