From SHTFplan:

The United Nations may think they're weapons of mass destruction, but Americans seem to disagree.

2011 was yet another record-breaking year for gun sales, with Americans purchasing some 10.8 million firearms, a 14% increase over the previous year and up over 50% from 10 years ago, as reported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation...

... Why are more Americans choosing to own firearms? Reasons range from citizens' increased awareness of the Second Amendment, protecting the individual right to own firearms that was reaffirmed in two recent Supreme Court decisions, to increased interest in personal and home protection that may be due to economic uncertainty, to increased interest in shooting sports and hunting.

Politics has played a role, too, with a surge in firearms sale beginning in October 2008, in part because supporters of the Second Amendment feared the election of less gun-friendly candidates, including Barack Obama, and new, restrictive gun laws they might advocate. Though such legislation has not happened, industry professionals at the SHOT Show believe a similar reaction this election year is possible that could ignite another surge in firearm sales.

Related to the topic of gun sales is the public's changing attitude toward ownership. A recent Gallop poll showed a record lack of support for gun control, with only 26% of Americans favoring a ban on the possession of handguns. When Gallup first asked Americans this question some 50 years ago, 60% favored banning handguns.

As sales climb, recent FBI data shows violent crime continuing to fall in the United States, with homicides dropping out of the top 15 causes of death in the country...

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More on firearms:

How to choose a firearm for self-defense

23 facts you need to know about firearms

Mainstream media publishes an unusually "fair and balanced" account of booming gun sales