Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
October 18, 2010
Image: Michael (mx5tx)
Americans are acquiring guns, silver and food stamps at record levels in reaction to the crumbling economy, trends indicative of a fearful public who are struggling financially and preparing for potential mass civil unrest in the aftermath of a total economic collapse.
FBI records and Google Trends research shows that firearms purchases are still at record highs, but that ammunition sales have leveled off, suggesting that a flood of first-time gun owners have rushed to protect themselves from the potential of higher crime and even civil unrest in the event of a widespread financial meltdown.
“That tells us that there are more first-time [gun] buyers coming in to buy firearms and that speaks to your worries about security. They buy a few rounds [of ammunition] first time, but they don’t buy more,” ConvergEx Group Chief Market Strategist Nicholas Colas told CNBC.
Interest in silver coins is also surging, with Americans looking for more affordable ways to protect their increasingly devalued dollar savings with many unable to afford soar away gold prices.
“Just two years ago, silver coin sales were on the magnitude of 1 million units a month, now it’s 3 million units a month,” said Colas.
Used car prices have also tailed off, a reflection of shaky confidence in the much heralded “recovery” of the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, Google searches for how to get food stamps have also skyrocketed.
However, the steady increase in gun sales is just as much a reaction to the political climate as it is economic uncertainties.
As we reported back in November 2008 just before Obama took office, the perceived anti-gun agenda of a President backed by a Democrat-controlled House and Senate prompted a record surge in firearms purchases.
With Obama’s White House still full of anti-second amendment figures like Attorney General Eric Holder and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, the American people are loathe to become lackadaisical about their right to keep and bear arms, particularly when active duty combat troops are being brought back from Afghanistan and Iraq to train how to run local city governments and boss communities.
Troops are also being trained to deal with “civil unrest” and “crowd control” in the event of a national emergency.
During the last such national emergency, Hurricane Katrina, gun owners were told that “no one will be able to be armed – we will take all the weapons,” and even residents in high and dry areas had their firearms confiscated by US troops, police and mercenaries.
Given the fact that every forecaster worth his salt is predicting mass civil disobedience in America once austerity measures that are causing riots in Europe fully come into force, including the Obama administration’s move to seize private 401(k) pensions, it’s hardly surprising that Americans continue to stockpile weapons and precious metals in preparation for anarchy, chaos, and potentially martial law.
Watch the CNBC clip below.
