Gun sales not likely to pick up

Gun sales in the United States are declining, and the Trends Research Institute is expecting that trend line to continue.

During the first half of 2014, reported sales from gun manufacturers Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. saw healthy double-digit declines.

Gun sales spike in the aftermath of high-profile violent news, such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Such incidents initiate reciprocal calls for tighter gun reforms and that drives sales. In addition, the survivalism movements that arose when economic collapse and its aftermath were feared years ago gave healthy boosts to gun sales.

But sales soared so much the last several years that virtually everyone who wants a gun has one, and then some.

While any future gun-related tragedies or other wildcard factors have the potential to spike sales, the GOP wave that consumed the mid-term elections all but ensures a buffer against any robust movement toward restrictive gun controls.