It’s been an odd few years since the election of Donald Trump. I remember the day he was elected to great applause at the SHOT Show. Finally, after years of having our rights constantly under assault, we could take a breath. We had a pro-gun President. Since then, we have also acquired a pro-gun supreme court and a bump stock ban that was unilaterally passed in a moment of great overreach. It’s a strange time, but things are going to get weirder. 2020 is well on its way, and as an election year the Democratic challengers are lining up to run in the primaries. How many exactly? According to the Chicago Tribune, more than 10. We have Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Kamala Harris, ex-San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, former W. Va. state Sen. Richard Ojeda, former Rep. John Delaney, and former tech executive Andrew Yang.
Not a single one of them has a logical, sane, or even useful view on guns. They share a negative view on calling for more restrictions, outright bans, and ridiculous licensing schemes. Yang, in particular, is calling for gun companies to receive a 1 million dollar fine for any person killed by one of their weapons in a public setting. The wording doesn’t even say murdered, it just says killed. Is Yang saying the police department’s use of weapons, as well as legal defensive gun uses will cause gun companies to receive fines?
What does this all mean for you as an FFL? It means business is about to boom, at least for a short time. Around election time things always get a little crazy and people start to fear who will be elected. An upcoming election means increased gun control, and the most common targets are semi-automatic rifles, and magazines with a capacity of over ten rounds.
Known as panic buying, it will often leave gun stores with their walls stripped and inventory bare. Right now we are seeing ridiculously low prices and now might be the time to invest a small amount each month into magazines, firearms, and even blank AR receivers and 80 lowers. 80 lowers and the ability to build guns have also been attacked in recent years with strict laws regulating these blanks being passed in California.
Magazine wise, a safe bet will always be AR 15 and Glock magazines. Both types of magazines are incredibly popular and used in a multitude of different weapons. AR 15 magazines are everywhere and brands like Magpul rule the roost. Glock magazines are made by Glock, ETS, Magpul, and more.
Second to those are AK and Ruger 10/22 magazines, as well as mags from brands like SIG, S&W, and Ruger. The target being magazines in excess of ten rounds. Drums, in particular, are very popular and become extremely valuable once supply dries up.
Other more recent targets have been pistol braces, weapons like the Mossberg Shockwave, and binary triggers have all been targeted by modern gun control proposals. They are also all very popular and they might be worth taking a look into.
If you are a smart FFL, now is the time to start buying a little more in preparation for the 2020 election. It’s currently a buyers market and the industry hasn’t seen prices this low since 2008. I’m sure the majority of gun owners remember 2012 and how brutal the next 4 years were. It was only after the Trump election did we see the bottom fall out.
First and foremost, do not overextend yourself. Do not buy tons of guns and gear on credit and create a debt hole. This will be a short boom in sales, not a long term one. Buying 25% more than usual may even be a bit much. Buying an extra 10% would be a good goal to aim for, but I wouldn’t extend beyond that, especially as prices rise to meet demand.
You also want to avoid raising your prices an absurd amount. The law of supply and demand is in effect and prices will rise accordingly. Don’t pull a “Cheaper than Dirt” where P-Mags shot up to 60 bucks. After the sales boom, people will remember who charged what and it will leave a negative taste in their mouths.
At the same time, if you keep prices superbly low during a boom you will sell out, and then likely not have the capital or the ability to restock. Make sure your prices rise appropriately.
In the coming months and year, the industry will experience a surge and if you play your cards right it can be great for business. The key is starting now and slowly building a reserve inventory and to keep your business thriving during the surge, as well as after.
