“Above all, new gun owners said, they are motivated by a need to feel prepared for anything, in a world that feels to them less stable.”

The world has become less stable.

Many members of the Ruling Class have intentionally created as much instability as possible. They do it for two reasons. First, the Ruling Class intentionally reduces stability knowing that the masses will demand that the Ruling Class increase stability, thereby priming the masses to accept policies/laws which increase the Ruling Class’ power and wealth under the promise of increased stability. Of course the Ruling Class will not actually increase stability since that would reduce the Ruling Class’ power and wealth. Second, many members of the Ruling Class enjoy (in a sadistic sense) reducing stability and thus causing the resultant chaos, fear, pain, and suffering that inevitably befalls the masses.

Once you understand that the Ruling Class achieves gains in multiple areas when society destabilizes, you realize that destabilizing policies/laws are intentional.