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Comment by aerostable_slug | Hacker News Reader

People aren't buying Glocks because they're hunting in their spare time. The shelves aren't empty of .223/5.56 ball ammo because it's coming up on deer season. In fact, I was at a Cabela's a couple of weeks ago and the only ammo they had were hunting rounds (and nothing in 5.56/.223 or 7.62x51/.308, not to mention handgun cartridges)

There are three main reasons this is happening: the possibility Biden will win, the canoe effect, and — this is the big one — looting, arson, violent crime, property crime, and societal unrest combined with calls to defund the police.

People are realizing that you cannot rely upon the police now or in the future to save the day (TBH, you never could) and arming themselves as a result. There are also people on the left who are armed to protect themselves from the far-right, and PoC who want to effectively protect themselves against racist aggressors.

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I did a quick search for "canoe effect" but didn't find anything that seemed relevant. How's it defined in this context? Spending on outdoors goods are generally increasing?

I guess it’s when something happens across a population that moves them from contemplation into action on the stages of change model.

https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-Modules/SB/BehavioralCha...

Like gym memberships after New Years.

Historically, people of color arming themselves has been the biggest catalyst for gun control measures. I think it's pretty reasonable to assume that's going to be a priority for the next administration. As usual, these measures won't apply to police officers on- or off-duty, for service or personal weapons.

They're seeking a monopoly on violence.

I wonder how many “first time buyers” are just friends/relatives buying to get around retailers limiting sales per transaction.

From what I've heard, there are a tremendous amount of first time buyers. Any sort of firearm for defense is pretty much gone, along with all ammunition. The shortage is severe enough that the ammunition manufacturers are supposedly switching to only the popular calibers.

Everybody who shoots for recreation tries to avoid election year buying and stocked up last year, when prices were historically low. Now it's hard to find my go to 22 ammo :((((((

I hope not for their sake since that would be a straw purchase---a federal crime.

Straw purchases are only when buying for someone that can’t legally buy a gun/ammo.

Lots of shops limiting gun/ammo sales to X/person to maintain stock.

There should be no issues with buying a gun and then deciding to sell it to someone eligible after quickly deciding you don’t want it anymore, no?

What are the laws about carrying your spouse’s gun?

I genuinely don’t know.

> Straw purchases are only when buying for someone that can’t legally buy a gun.

Not quite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abramski_v._United_States

> There should be no issues with buying a gun and then deciding to sell it to someone eligible after quickly deciding you don’t want it anymore, no?

Yeah it's confusing because you can buy a gun with the intent to gift it to someone. In your example, it would come down to proving that you lied when filling out the 4473.

> What are the laws about carrying your spouse’s gun?

Depends on the state. In my home state of Arizona, none. I can carry my gun, my wife's gun, or a friend's gun not even a carry permit required. Aside from prohibited possessors (felons, etc.), I can loan or transfer to anyone who is of age a gun. Moreover since Arizona has no registration and is a community property state, "ownership" is no different than any other piece of property and considered both of ours.

In my birth state of California, you can only carry a gun that is on your permit, and as far as I know, you can get a gun on a permit that has been registered to you (either through DROS or self-register when moving to the state---note that possession of an unregistered gun is not a crime).

So unless the state prohibits the transfer without a background check through a dealer, you can probably carry your spouse's or friend's gun

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