After a mass shooting, people buy guns for two reasons: They’re afraid and want a firearm they think will protect them, or they’re worried that the violence will prompt new legislation restricting gun sales.
(NBC)- These two motivations dictate what types of guns people buy in the aftermath of a mass shooting, said Wunderlich analyst Rommel Dionisio. If they’re afraid for their safety, they buy handguns. If they suspect additional government regulation, they buy “modern sporting rifles,” or the types of weapons gun-control advocates call assault weapons.
Motes echoed this observation, referencing what kinds of guns are in demand this week.
“AR-15s of course, because that’s why people talk about banning … and handguns,” he said.
“Those are the two classes people rush to stores to buy,” Dionisio said. “When people are concerned about their own safety, they go buy handguns.” For instance, after the San Bernardino shooting, handgun sales rose, he said, but the Sandy Hook attack triggered different concerns.
“Right after Newtown, Obama and Biden got out there and tried to ban assault rifles. It wasn’t so much then a fear for safety,” Dionisio said. “It was more the fear that the administration would ban a certain kind of gun.”