Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1 - Consumer Preference

Gun shops in the US are unable to deliver cost-efficient, quality rifle upper's and lower's to the public interested in exercising their right to the 2nd Amendment.

I am certain I am not the only one who has walked into a gun shop and inquired about a certain AR-15 rifle part's price and receive an answer double what I expected. Other people who are gun enthusiasts surely see the same need for cheaper prices.

The natural boundaries of the need revolved around lower competition for quality rifle parts and rifle kits. Certain rifle parts which are very cheap are easy to purchase for a fair price, but mid-quality firearms still cost an arm and a leg, regardless of the billeting and manufacturing technology that companies have. In the end, a large majority of people do not purchase firearms in their lifetime, but for the minority that does, I am positive that they would share the same view as myself. Personally, I can build a good quality AR-15 for $450. At a gun shop, completely assembled, this same hardware would cost $750-800. Thats almost 40% profit due to lack of competition.

Friend #1

Q) What do you think about gun prices at local gun shops?

A) I definitely get deterred seeing $800 at a shop knowing that they cost much less if I were to put in the work myself.

Q) Why do gun shops charge so much for same quality items online?

A) They are not accustomed to the e-commerce of firearms, and still have a lack of competition, which creates an oligopoly.

Q) Do you think there is an opportunity to start a business that revolves around this belief?

A) I think its certainly possible to bank on the fact that you can purchase firearm parts, put in the work yourself assembling them, purchasing licenses to become a legal manufacturer, and then reselling them for a modest profit.

Student #2

Q) What do you think about gun prices at local gun shops?

A) I personally have never been to a gun shop, I'm against the use of firearms.

Q) Why don't you support our right to bear arms according to the 2nd Amendment?

A) Guns cause too much heartache to be a useful and positive thing for our society.

Q) Do you know people who support firearms and would support this belief?

A) I know a few people who would probably enjoy talking about this with you. They would probably agree with you and complain about the prices of guns.

Bystander #3

Q) What do you think about gun prices at local gun shops?

A) They are ripoff pawn shops who undercut and con their way into your wallet. Gainesville needs to have more honest competition and a startup that centers around cheaper firearms.

Q) Why do gun shops charge so much for same quality items online?

A) They're too da** arrogant and selfish to lower their prices, thinking that people will still flock to them.

Q) Do you think there is an opportunity to start a business that revolves around this belief?

A) I certainly think so! I would love to see a gun shop open that charges under $600 for a new AR-15 that has everything included!

Colleague #4

Q) What do you think about gun prices at local gun shops?

A) I think they're reasonable, considering they also have to make a living somehow.

Q) Why do gun shops charge so much for same quality items online?

A) They realize that they only way to one-up those companies online is to charge higher prices because they have lower marketing leverage being in a smaller town. Unfortunately, this means that they rarely have sales on brand-new firearms.

Q) Do you think there is an opportunity to start a business that revolves around this belief?

A) I would think so, if you were willing to buy parts separately, assemble them, and then practice-fire them at the range. If so, you could probably make some money by charging $100-150 overhead.

Student #5

Q) What do you think about gun prices at local gun shops?

A) I've never been to a gun shop but I fully support the folks that are pro-firearm.

Q) Why do gun shops charge so much for same quality items online?

A) I wouldn't know, but something tells me theres more behind the story.

Q) Do you think there is an opportunity to start a business that revolves around this belief?

A) If you've done effective research into the opportunity, there is probably a belief that it exists. Maybe you should take the chance!

I learned a lot from these interviews. Namely, how many people support firearm possession and vice versa. I still think this opportunity exists, and will look into it further.