Investing in gun stocks: boom times for RGR, SWHC

Many indicators, including a record-setting 2011, show the firearms industry continues to thrive in a down economy and that the potential exists for another strong sales year in 2012: NSSFThe gun business is booming.Uncertainty about the upcoming election and a sluggish economy has Americans buying guns and ammo by the truck load.In fact, business is so good they can't make enough of the stuff.Even though actual sales data is hard to come by, the industry's biggest players are saying business has never been so good.Gun stocks are up big as a result."Many indicators, including a record-setting 2011, show the firearms industry continues to thrive in a down economy and that the potential exists for another strong sales year in 2012," the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) said at its annual trade show.The NSSF said that 920,840 instant criminal background checks were made in January, an unprecedented 20th-straight month of year-over-year increases. The January number comes on the heels of nearly 1.5 million checks in December -- the most ever for any month.The actual number of guns sold is often much higher, as private transfers and sales from gun shows are exempt from background checks.In fact, one major manufacturer reported that business is too good.Continue reading this article here.