Nathan E. Lewis

New Years Day is not only a proper time to look ahead but it is also a good time to reflect on the past. Do you remember the Y2K scare of 1999? How about all of the hype about harmonic convergence and the Age of Aquarius dawning as our scientific, if not arbitrary measurement of time turned to a new millennium? As January 1, 2000 neared gun sales sky-rocketed just as they have in the final days of 2008 with news of economic crisis. Fredrick Kunkle opened his October 27, 2008 article in the Washington Post with these words: “Americans have cut back on buying cars, furniture and clothes in a tough economy, but there’s one consumer item that’s still enjoying healthy sales: guns. Purchases of firearms and ammunition have risen 8 to 10 percent this year, according to state and federal data.” Of course, gun sales have also risen this year directly following Obama’s election to the Presidency, many citizens fearing his views on gun control. My neighbors stocked cigarettes, toilet paper, canned and dried food, and ammunition, advised by trusted leaders to prepare for the Crash. (more…)