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Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence:
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: No Wonder the Gun Lobby is
Fear-Mongering; Handgun Manufacturing Hit an All-Time Low in 2000
To: National Desk
Contact: Nancy Hwa of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence,
202-898-0792
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- An August 2002 article in
Shooting Industry, a leading gun industry publication, reports that
handgun production in 2000 hit its lowest point since 1981, when
the ATF began keeping track of such numbers. Total firearm
production in the United States has decreased by 30 percent since
its high in 1981. While gun manufacturers like to claim "victory"
after a short-lived spike in handgun sales after the September 11
terrorist attacks, the data shows otherwise. Indeed, the industry
report states that, "The hardest hit category within the industry,
pistol production has dropped 54 percent from a high of 2,093,186
in 1993."
The truth is, despite industry hype following September 11,
fewer Americans bought handguns in 2001 than in previous years.
According to an April 2002 article in the Christian Science
Monitor, the FBI conducted fewer background checks for gun
purchases in 2001 than in 2000, and checks for the first two months
of 2002 were already 10.5 percent below last year's pace.
California, one of the few states to track all gun sales, announced
in March that handgun sales in 2001 had hit their lowest level
since the state began keeping data in 1972. Maryland also saw a
drop in the requests for applications to purchase firearms in 2001.
"After September 11, the gun industry took advantage of a
understandably fearful public to try to sell more guns," said Mike
Barnes, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
united with the Million Mom March. "Gun makers have never been
concerned with public safety; they simply saw an opportunity to
make more money. Fortunately, the American people didn't buy into
their hype."
The Shooting Industry report states, "In 2002, the industry will
continue to experience changes as it struggles to compete with a
recreation-saturated society...Companies which produce products
that have a high 'comfort and fun' factor will fair (sic)
especially well. The post-911 consumer seeks products and
activities that not only provide safety, but are also entertaining
- especially those that include the whole family." This same issue
features articles suggesting ways that gun companies can boost
sales through rebates, promotions and giveaways.
"Offering rebates and free merchandise to lure customers is not
a sign of a healthy industry," said Mr. Barnes. "And telling gun
companies to market their lethal products as something 'fun' and
for the entire family is another sign of the industry's
desperation. Firearm production is down because people aren't
buying guns -- or the agenda of the gun lobby. As crime dropped
throughout the 1990s -- thanks to measures like the Brady Law and
the federal assault weapons ban -- fewer and fewer Americans see
the need for guns in their lives."
http://www.usnewswire.com
-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
08/28 15:54
Copyright 2002, U.S. Newswire
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/prime/0828-130.html
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Fear-Mongering; Handgun Manufacturing Hit an All-Time Low in 2000
To: National Desk
Contact: Nancy Hwa of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence,
202-898-0792
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- An August 2002 article in
Shooting Industry, a leading gun industry publication, reports that
handgun production in 2000 hit its lowest point since 1981, when
the ATF began keeping track of such numbers. Total firearm
production in the United States has decreased by 30 percent since
its high in 1981. While gun manufacturers like to claim "victory"
after a short-lived spike in handgun sales after the September 11
terrorist attacks, the data shows otherwise. Indeed, the industry
report states that, "The hardest hit category within the industry,
pistol production has dropped 54 percent from a high of 2,093,186
in 1993."
The truth is, despite industry hype following September 11,
fewer Americans bought handguns in 2001 than in previous years.
According to an April 2002 article in the Christian Science
Monitor, the FBI conducted fewer background checks for gun
purchases in 2001 than in 2000, and checks for the first two months
of 2002 were already 10.5 percent below last year's pace.
California, one of the few states to track all gun sales, announced
in March that handgun sales in 2001 had hit their lowest level
since the state began keeping data in 1972. Maryland also saw a
drop in the requests for applications to purchase firearms in 2001.
"After September 11, the gun industry took advantage of a
understandably fearful public to try to sell more guns," said Mike
Barnes, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
united with the Million Mom March. "Gun makers have never been
concerned with public safety; they simply saw an opportunity to
make more money. Fortunately, the American people didn't buy into
their hype."
The Shooting Industry report states, "In 2002, the industry will
continue to experience changes as it struggles to compete with a
recreation-saturated society...Companies which produce products
that have a high 'comfort and fun' factor will fair (sic)
especially well. The post-911 consumer seeks products and
activities that not only provide safety, but are also entertaining
- especially those that include the whole family." This same issue
features articles suggesting ways that gun companies can boost
sales through rebates, promotions and giveaways.
"Offering rebates and free merchandise to lure customers is not
a sign of a healthy industry," said Mr. Barnes. "And telling gun
companies to market their lethal products as something 'fun' and
for the entire family is another sign of the industry's
desperation. Firearm production is down because people aren't
buying guns -- or the agenda of the gun lobby. As crime dropped
throughout the 1990s -- thanks to measures like the Brady Law and
the federal assault weapons ban -- fewer and fewer Americans see
the need for guns in their lives."
http://www.usnewswire.com
-0-
/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
08/28 15:54
Copyright 2002, U.S. Newswire
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/prime/0828-130.html
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878