By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
I saw in this month's American Rifleman that the Australian government is planning a new firearms amnesty. I have said before, repeatedly that the first time gun confiscation was imposed in Australia in 1996, it was a massive failure with no more than 25 percent of all firearms turned in to the government, That is slightly more than the percentage of Connecticut residents who refused to register their AR-15s. For years, we have been told that the Australian gun control program is the most desirable way to get "guns off the street." It seems Australian gun owners disagree.
It should be noted that the first time the gun control program was put in place, a small compensation was paid. This time none is offered. I suspect the next time, the Australian government will dispense with the nicety of calling it an amnesty and go full blown confiscation. The sh*t storm that will ensue will be something to see.
What American fascists are doing is only slightly different. Instead of dressing confiscation up with new clothes and makeup, they have been going through the several states to establish universal background checks laws, in the clear hope that if enough states adopt those laws, universal background checks will become an amendment to the US Constitution. You know about background checks: the same basis for your carry permit. The state (federal and state government) will first take your resources, and when it is tired of that, it will take your rights, and then, finally, your guns. You'll eventually have little more than a dim memory of what is was like to own a gun.
It is part of the Long March, running a long game of telling gun owners that "your firearms aren't being confiscated" and selling your God given rights back to you in the form of carry permits, all the while setting up the legal and Constitutional basis for firearms to be confiscated.
It is why I suspect Heller will either be overturned or severely modified in the coming decade. That's a little too much freedom to be granted.
Ask a fascist next week about this and they will respond, as they typically do online with, "You are paranoid, lol". They'll act stupid about it, as most people do when their -- and your -- rights are slowly being taken away.
Your rights are in danger the moment the lawyers get hold of them.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were mostly steady. Rifle ammunition prices were mostly steady.
Prices for used pistols were lower. Prices for used rifles were mostly lower.
Note: The nationwide average price for the 9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) has reached a new low of $207, the lowest in a year. Similarly, the nationwide average price for the .308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) fell to its lowest level in two years at $795.
The market for the 9mm pistol, arguably the most popular handgun caliber in the nation appears to have collapsed. The markets of the five states I track are flooded with 9mm semiautomatic pistols, and it's not likely to clear up any time soon. Remember, I follow private sales only. If these markets for used 9mm semiautomatics haven't yet affected the market for new guns, they certainly will, sooner or later.
The market collapsed differently for the 7.62mm NATO AR-10 pattern rifle. I suspect the reason for the massive fall is that the semiautomatic 7.62mm NATO round has fallen out of favor. More powerful. longer range rounds are available, albeit at a small premium.
It also should be noted that the AR-15 pattern rifle began a slow descent starting in March to its new low posted two weeks ago of $462.
New Lows:
Arizona: 7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic): Romak: $400
Florida: 9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic): Taurus 709FS: $160
Texas: 30-30 Winchester Lever Action: Marlin: $295
Texas(From last week): .40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic): Beretta 96: $200
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bud's Gun Shop, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: J&G Sales, Hot Shot, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Own Brand, RNFP, Brass Casing, Reloads .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo Valley, Own Brand, RSFP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2016)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Octane Munitions, Own Brand, RN, Reloads, Brass Casing, .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: +.04 Each After Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Highland Lakes Ammo, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Western Arms And Ammo, Own Brand, TMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Red River Reloading, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .86 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .88 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammo Liquidator, Federal Eagle, Brass Casing, JSP, 2.17 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammo Liquidator, Federal American Eagle, Brass Casing, JSP, 2.13 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo Men, Aguila, RNL, .05 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Ammo Men, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (10 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $469 Last Week Avg: $469(=) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $462 (3 Weeks))
Arizona (154, 141): Ruger AR-556: $500 ($600 (17 Weeks), $450 (10 Weeks))
Texas (389, 379): Bushmaster Carbon 15: $450 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (200, 207): DPMS: $400 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (229, 225): Anderson Arms: $495 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $415 (22 Weeks))
Florida (490, 517): Palmetto State Armory: $500 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $795 Last Week Avg: $844(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $795 (CA: $820 (3Q, 2015)))
Arizona (27, 26): Mixed Build: $1,000 ($1,450 (3 Weeks), $650 (18 Weeks))
Texas (140, 126): Mixed Build: $775 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $700 (41 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (42, 46): Delton: $750 ($1,600 (27 Weeks), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (70, 66): Unknown Build: $800 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $750 (12 Weeks))
Florida (94, 97): DPMS: $650 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $515 Last Week Avg: $545(-) ($668 (35 Weeks), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (31, 27): Romak: $400 ($800 (8 Weeks), $400 (CA: $500 (17 Weeks)))
Texas (113, 111): Romak WASR : $500 ($800 (1Q, 2016), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (73, 67): IO: $500 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (60, 51): DDI Arms: $600 ($700 (48 Weeks), $350 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (131, 131): IO: $575 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $324 Last Week Avg: $356(-) ($495 (31 Weeks), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (11, 9): Winchester Ranger: $200 ($500 (17 Weeks), $200 (2 Weeks))
Texas (21, 19): Marlin: $295 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $295 (CA: $300 (1Q, 2015)))
Pennsylvania (18, 16): Marlin 336: $325 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (12, 14): Marlin: $350 ($670 (51 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (23, 23): Winchester 94: $450 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $477 Last Week Avg: $525(-) ($525 (38 Weeks), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (83, 83): Viking: $500 ($700 (2 Weeks), $400 (20 Weeks))
Texas (304, 288): Taurus PT1911: $450 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (23 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (162, 175): Remington 1911 R1: $585 ($585 (CA: $575 (17 Weeks)), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (145, 149): Rock Island Armory: $400 ($600 (15 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (362, 327): American Tactical Imports: $450 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $207 Last Week Avg: $222(-) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (CA:$217 (4 Weeks)))
Arizona (162, 148): Girsan: $280 ($400 (8 Weeks), $240 (4 Weeks))
Texas (402, 395): Taurus 709: $199 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $199 (3 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (323, 318): Kahr CT9: $200 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (12 Weeks))
Virginia (265, 274): Taurus PT 111: $200 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (583, 599): Taurus 709FS: $160 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (CA: $190 (39 Weeks)))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $292 Last Week Avg: $313(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (48 Weeks))
Arizona (36, 34): Beretta PX4: $390 ($500 (18 Weeks), $250 (9 Weeks))
Texas (122, 112): Beretta 96: $200 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $200 (21 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (108, 99): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $200 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (36 Weeks))
Virginia (70, 71): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $350 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (141, 144): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $320 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Georgia)
DPMS G2 chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO