Why no panicked gun-buying before?

[PNWguy]

Was just thinking about how in the past few decades, whenever a liberal president was elected, it didn't affect gun sales.  

Since Obama, Americans are now genuinely concerned that their constitutional right is going to be taken away if a democrat gets elected.  If a democrat gets elected or is predicted to be elected, then it causes panicked buying of weapons.

That's a chilling development in our country's history.

 

[blueiron]

Your assumption is flawed. Firearm sales rose during the Clinton presidency and there were dire implications by the NRA, the GOA, and others. The definition of "Panicked" buying as an aside, because it is emotion based and not quantifiable.

https://cjonline.uc.edu/resources/infographics/gun-sales-statistics-by-president/

[blueiron]

You may also wish to consider other socio-political factors: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/26/assault-weapon-ban-clinton-crime-bill-democratic-policy

I recall the days before the 1986 ban of imported military style rifles by Reagan when they were a minor percentage of civilian firearms sales. Prior the them being labeled as society's current pariah, it was snub-nosed revolvers being demonized as "Saturday Night Specials". Copies of The American Rifleman and Guns & Ammo from the 1970s were replete with the "evil" 2 inch revolvers. 

[Will Beararms]

I lived through 1986 and 1994. This is nothing new.  94 was a wild ride. We saw the emergence and then death of the Lever Action. There were some neat versions back in the day. Then, Winchester closed it’s doors in America the Freedom Group ruined marlin. We saw ten round mag limits and waiting periods. Glock 19 standard capacity mags were in excess of $100 a pop. 

[Valmet]

3 factors to me- Media, Availability, and purchasing power. 

The fire of panic spreads much more quickly these days with social media fanning the flames, online gun outlets add to the numbers also as one isn’t at the mercy of their LGS. Widespread use of credit cards is another factor. 

Edited July 25, 2018 by Valmet

[Bucky]

I think the AWB of 1994 was the huge turning point. While there had been other bans in the past, none had affected so many on a national level. 

[Boogieman]

I lived in Georgia when the KKKlinton ban went into effect and was acquainted with Kevin from Advanced Armament.  For a time he was selling preban AR's for significantly more than a transferable M-16.