Effects of Proposed Legislation on Prices

[wmg1299]

It's obvious from 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 that a generic, looming threat of possible legislation on firearms causes a rush at gun stores. Supply depletes and prices to rise due to fear that congress might "do something". From a historical standpoint, how does the threat of a specific proposed law affect prices?

Speaking hypothetically, If it becomes clear that congress is planning to pass a bill outlawing the sale of certain items (ex. magazines over 10-rounds, pistol stabilizing braces), what happens to the prices? Do they automatically skyrocket due to people trying to get them at the last minute, or do sellers lower prices so they don't get stuck with a large stock of items they can no longer legally sell?

I was old enough that I should have paid attention to the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, but was still too young and dumb to care. Once it became clear that "high-capacity" magazines were going to be banned, how did the market react? Was there a last-minute run on magazines, or did sellers have to lower prices to get rid of them before the deadline?

 

[Bassbob]

The ones already in existence were allowed to be sold. The ban was on manufacturing and importing them. I bought a Llama Max II with a pair of 13 rd. mags long after the ban went into effect. The market reacted the same way it always does. People start hoarding it and sellers immediately jack the prices up.

 

[TidalWave]

It's obvious from 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 that a generic, looming threat of possible legislation on firearms causes a rush at gun stores. Supply depletes and prices to rise due to fear that congress might "do something". From a historical standpoint, how does the threat of a specific proposed law affect prices?

Speaking hypothetically, If it becomes clear that congress is planning to pass a bill outlawing the sale of certain items (ex. magazines over 10-rounds, pistol stabilizing braces), what happens to the prices? Do they automatically skyrocket due to people trying to get them at the last minute, or do sellers lower prices so they don't get stuck with a large stock of items they can no longer legally sell?

I was old enough that I should have paid attention to the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, but was still too young and dumb to care. Once it became clear that "high-capacity" magazines were going to be banned, how did the market react? Was there a last-minute run on magazines, or did sellers have to lower prices to get rid of them before the deadline?

This is rather off topic but I wanted to point something out: the 1994 ban had a profound effect on an otherwise fairly docile & happy general electorate, and there was a great big Dem/lib slapdown at the next election (midterm).
The early 90s were economically good for the US (that 1991-ish recession didn’t last long), the USSR was broken, the coalition won Desert Storm and Monica Lewinsky was still in grade school. And the libs blew it by messing with EVERYONE’s 2A rights, including Dem gun owners.
How many more handgun purchase permits (or was it overall firearms purchases?) was it they issued in 2020 vs 2019 ? I saw some astronomical figure the other day. Or was it overall firearms purchased? No matter - it’s still a whopping increase in newbies even if a hefty number were already owners. And they’re about to alienate every one.
Just something to be hopeful for - could be a silver lining in there somewhere.

 

[TidalWave]

This is rather off topic but I wanted to point something out: the 1994 ban had a profound effect on an otherwise fairly docile & happy general electorate, and there was a great big Dem/lib slapdown at the next election (midterm).
The early 90s were economically good for the US (that 1991-ish recession didn’t last long), the USSR was broken, the coalition won Desert Storm and Monica Lewinsky was still in grade school. And the libs blew it by messing with EVERYONE’s 2A rights, including Dem gun owners.
How many more handgun purchase permits (or was it overall firearms purchases?) was it they issued in 2020 vs 2019 ? I saw some astronomical figure the other day. Or was it overall firearms purchased? No matter - it’s still a whopping increase in newbies even if a hefty number were already owners. And they’re about to alienate every one.
Just something to be hopeful for - could be a silver lining in there somewhere.

By the way, a very significant percentage of the recent new gun owners were minorities and females. Makes me wonder if the wheels of the last couple of media-madcap years aren’t already starting to turn the other way...I’m reminded of the old adage “what goes around, comes around” and they’ll find that when anyone (or their political party) tramples on someone else’s freedoms, pretty soon their own get trampled too. Some “moderates” will be in for a shock with this administration...

I re-read my post above and realized it wasn’t written very clearly - sorry! Got in a hurry again

 

[KillerFord1977]

The Fed will try and try, but it wont pass.
States will use their authority to ban things locally, as they do now. It is up to the electorate to vote them out, recall them, or do via voting rights to get laws changed back to pro firearms.

Republican Legislature at all levels of Govt does a Horrible job rallying and voicing FACTS and Statistics to educate and counter Dem feel good policies. Dont mistake politeness for weakness, but Republicans are too polite. Use facts and educate the American citizens to the talking points. Quit being polite about it.

 

[KillerFord1977]

Prices will come around . Always do. Capitalism and a free market.
Supply and demand.

demand will fall.

all these new gun owners and existing gun owners that rarely shoot, practice or go to the range will realize they didnt need the 90 boxes of ammo and 400 rolls of TP as they only shoot 100 rds a year, at most, and have a 20 yr supply. They will spend their money elsewhere again, and we will have ammo. All this new tooling and production by ammo companies will catch up, and they will have too much inventory at all levels of supply.
May be June 2021, may be Jan 2022, but it will happen.
Always does.
I’ll go back to 1500 rds a month shooting budget again and hit the range 3x a week like I always did.