Far as the price increases for the 'to be banned if legislation passes' firearms, while I don't like it, just like everyone else. I look at it as strictly business. No gun dealer, manufacturer or for that matter individual seller is in it to be charitable. It's always 'charge what the market will bear'. Thats business.
If you can't afford it, don't buy it. It distills down to supply and demand, just like gasoline prices and every other tangible and intangible commodity.
I almost passed out when at a local gun show 2 weeks ago, a guy offered me 1700 bucks unsolicited for an AK in the parking lot that I paid 300 bucks for 6 years ago. Did I say 'Thats too much, it's only worth 300 bucks" Of course I didn't. That would be ludricrious on my part. I took the 17 Franklins and gave him what he wanted. He was happy to get it and I was happy to receive it. I did donate one of the Franklins to the NRA btw.
Is it panic buying? Maybe. Is it the uncertainty of pending Socialist assualts on the Constitution, maybe, but the bottom line is, if individuals aren't willing to pay an inflated price, then the price goes down. Until that time, the pricing stays inflated. Thats how economics work.
Besides, factoring in inflation and the devaluing dollar, I really didn't get 17 Franklins. I really got my 300 bucks back......