BELLEVUE, WA – Americans should “let the government buy your next gun” by spending part, or all of their economic stimulus checks on a new firearm, ammunition or shooting accessory, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.

Economic stimulus checks will be going out in the mail this spring as an incentive for American citizens to go shopping to help boost the nation’s sagging economy. CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb thinks it would be a boon to America’s firearms industry for that money to be spent on pursuits guaranteed by the Second Amendment, while also providing jobs and paychecks, and creating new jobs for people in the industry.

“This is our money, anyway,” Gottlieb said of the stimulus checks. “If we weren’t paying it in taxes to begin with, it would still be in our bank accounts and wallets, and we would already be spending that cash on a new rifle or shotgun, perhaps a new handgun and ammunition, shooting accessories and other equipment.

“Set some cash aside to buy gasoline for a trip to the range,” he added, “and don’t forget that with every firearm and ammunition purchase, Americans contribute to the Pittman-Robertson federal excise tax program that supports state wildlife agency programs, including hunter education. Not only will these purchases provide a much-needed boost to the gun industry, they allow gun owners an opportunity to take more than just a symbolic swipe at anti-gunners and anti-hunting groups.”

Gottlieb also suggested that firearms retailers consider offering special discounts to customers who use their stimulus checks in their stores.

“These checks should help pay for a lot of new guns and gear,” he said. “We think there are few better ways to celebrate our fundamental right to keep and bear arms than to spend your money where it matters the most: At your local gun shop or sporting goods store.”