Jim Shepherd writes about the decline in gun sales (scroll down the page to see the article)…

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been hearing – quietly- of cutbacks, layoffs and other “right-sizing” going on at companies where extra shifts were the order of the day only a few weeks ago. With ammo supplies building up, components for reloading becoming more readily available, and the economy still wavering, it seemed the firearms industry might be slowing.

…

Freedom Group Chief Sales Officer Scott Blackwell says the business cycle is significant, but feels a long-term opportunity lies with the new gun owners, not the longtime enthusiasts or sales fluctuations.

Earlier this week a very reliable source told me the name of a major AR-15 manufacturer who will shortly be announcing that they are closing a factory and laying off staff. Not good, but the sales the industry has been seeing could not last forever.

UPDATE: AccurateShooter reports that Marlin (owned by Remington) will shut down their plant in North Haven..

UPDATE: Bushmaster, the “major AR-15 manufacturer” is laying off staff (not closing a factory). I misinterpreted by source. The factory closure was Marlin.