Let’s hope it doesn’t rain, ’cause gun sales are shooting through the roof.

Over the last few years, the Far Left has frenetically fired against firearms.

Cases in point:

• For some reason, a throng of TV’s talking heads have boarded a bullet train in vilifying the AR-15, even though other rifles can do similar damage — and despite the fact that they’ve been absent in some of our worst shootings (Columbine, anyone? Virginia Tech? Fort Hood?). Furthermore, the vast majority of total gun deaths — and deaths by active shooters — are accomplished via handguns.
• Incredibly, the media’s perpetually called the notorious plastic weapon an “automatic,” which it is not.
• 2019 saw Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke say and do many, many bizarre things, but perhaps most strange was his promise to confiscate the nation’s AR-15’s while assuring Americans their hunting rifles would be safe — even though the AR-15 is the country’s best-selling hunting rifle.

Lastly — and here’s the pinnacle of puzzling — Some politicians have championed gun laws to prevent mass murderers from carrying their boomsticks.

If I may, a hypothetical:

Byron voted for Hillary. He’s planning to vote for Biden. One night from his bedroom, he sees a serial killer across the street. The psychopath mouths to him: “I’m coming over to murder you.” Byron calls the cops, who say, “No worries. We’ll turn the traffic light green. He won’t dare cross — jaywalking is against the law.”

Does Byron sleep like a baby?

So far as I can tell, according to principles conveyed by MSNBC and others, the answer is a resounding Yes.

But most anyone able fog a mirror knows that’s baloney. And when the threat becomes real, people protect themselves.

Hence — surely to the dismay of CNN, even as that very network’s run constant coverage of “peaceful” violence in the streets — the country’s gun sales have skyrocketed as of late.

In fact, according to The Washington Free Beacon, July saw an estimated 1,795,602 firearms sold. That’s a new national record, a 133% increase compared to last year.

Moreover — no doubt boosted by the pandemic — July is the fifth month in a row to make gun-sales history.

On Thursday, Sturm, Ruger & Company CEO Chris Killoy told investors the giant leap’s a doozy:

“Having been in this industry for 30 years, I saw the surge in 1994 before the assault weapons ban took place. This is probably the strongest level of demand that I’ve seen. One of the most significant differences is how it has impacted all levels of the channel and the impact on inventory at all levels.”

And Ruger isn’t the only company going pow.

More from the Beacon:

Sturm, Ruger & Company announced in its quarterly earnings call on Thursday that net sales had moved from $210,367,000 in the first six months of 2019 to $253,903,000 during the same period in 2020. That equated to diluted earnings per share of $1.06 in 2020 compared with $.36 in 2019 — a threefold increase.

Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. reported a similar profit jump in June. Net sales for the company jumped 32.9 percent from $175.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 to $233.6 million in 2020.

“Strong consumer demand for firearms, as reflected by adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (‘NICS’) results, combined with a consumer preference for our innovative products, helped us deliver growth and market share gains in our firearms business in fiscal 2020,” Mark Smith, co-president and co-CEO of Smith & Wesson, said in the company’s earnings report.

Back to Chris, he took a shot at the cause:

“This staggering increase in demand appears to be attributable to a few factors. Number one, concerns about personal protection and home defense stemming from continuing COVID-19 pandemic; protests, demonstrations, and civil unrest in many cities throughout the United States and, lastly, the call by some for the reduction in funding and authority of various law enforcement organizations.”

And just as calls to defund the police continue, I’d say the surge will go on as well. And beyond: People who were here to witness 2020’s insanity will, I believe, not soon forget a valuable lesson learned: You have to prepare for the worst, because the worst may be around the corner — in time, or in the neighborhood.

Stay safe, America.

-ALEX

See more pieces from me:

ACLU Files Suit Against Portland Police to Stop the Livestreaming of Riots

The George Floyd Neighborhood is Now a No-Cop Memorial, and Something Far Worse at Night

Little Seizures: People Freak Out Over Domino’s ‘Karen’ Promotion, So It Caves to the Woke and Eats Humble Pie

Find all my RedState work here.

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