Combined production for domestic and overseas handgun sales tumbled 52 percent nationally between 1993 and 1999, according to an Associated Press analysis of the latest data from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The 1.8 million handguns manufactured in 1998 was the lowest figure in 31 years. It's a different world. The market may be saturated. Unlike cars, handguns don't wear out because of built-in obsolescence.
Crime is down.
For example, the murder rate hit a 33-year low last year and burglaries dropped 10 percent in just one year. Locally, Sinkler said the Northwest may differ from national trends because of a larger number of gun owners. Bridges said handgun sales usually go through dips and peaks. I would guess the percentage of gun owners is a little higher here than elsewhere. The two gun salesmen agreed that any report or rumor of pending gun legislation sends people scurrying to buy guns.