Export of American Guns About to Get Easier
Kevin Felts 09.21.17
The slump in gun sales after Donald Trump was elected president is so bad, it even has a name: Trump Slump. Even though sales rebounded slightly in August, 2017, the market is still still down from 2016.
Now for some good–and bad–news.
The Good News
The Trump administration is working on changes that will make it easier for American gun companies to sell their products overseas.
From Reuters: Exclusive: Trump administration prepares to ease export rules for U.S. guns.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Trump administration is preparing to make it easier for American gun makers to sell small arms, including assault rifles and ammunition, to foreign buyers, according to senior U.S. officials.
Aides to President Donald Trump are completing a plan to shift oversight of international non-military firearms sales from the State Department to the Commerce Department, four officials told Reuters.
While the State Department is primarily concerned about international threats to stability and maintains tight restrictions on weapons deals, the Commerce Department typically focuses more on facilitating trade.
Hopefully, this will create jobs here in the United States and give the gun industry a much-needed shot in the arm.
During the election of 2016, Donald Trump promised to help create jobs, and he promised he was a friend of the NRA. More sales means more money; more money means more jobs.
The Bad News
If the plans go through and gun companies begin selling more products overseas, this wonderful buyers’ market may be over.
It may take a little while for companies to get contracts, but hopefully, this move by the Trump administration will be a boon to American gun companies.
