What do you think people are doing with all of the assault weapons and ammunition

[guardian]

53. The reasons are multifold

Why people do things are as varied as the individuals themselves. Some reasons have been discussed already such as buying to resell at a profit. Though I believe this is a very small fraction of the recent purchases. I think more prevalent reasons include the following:

* Wanting something that you can't have or may not be able to buy in the future. Nothing like being denied something (or someone) to pique interest. Many are uncertain where State and Federal gun laws are headed. So people that just had a passing interest thinking that maybe someday they would like to own XXX are buying now because they are worried that they will be unable to buy in the future.

* Anonymity. Many are worried that their purchases will be tracked in the future with gun or ammo registration. So they are buying now to avoid making purchases after tracking laws are put in place. Some are just private people and don't want others knowing about their business. Certainly that newspaper publishing the gun owner list helped drive this concern. Others are worried about gov't tracking for potential confiscation.

* Cost. Many things may drive up prices dramatically, so much so that they are buying now while they can still afford it. This is due to speculation about increased demand, potential lack of supply, increased regulatory costs of fees/taxes, etc. This goes for ammo too. How many DU threads have discussed a $1 per bullet tax or something similar? Those that can afford it are buying a lifetime supply now in case something like that comes to pass.

All in all it is the antigunner rhetoric that is driving the gun/ammo frenzy.