There has been quite a bit of chatter lately about Buds Gun Shop and rumors of it shutting down. Social media posts and forum threads sometimes light up with speculation about the store’s future. For a lot of folks who buy, sell, or just browse guns online, Buds is a familiar name—so any whiff of trouble gets attention.
The thing is, the news about Buds Gun Shop actually going out of business just doesn’t add up right now. If you look closely, there aren’t any real signs that the company is packing up, and the official story offers a different view.
Recent Ownership Changes Spark Questions
Back in April 2024, something big did happen: Buds Gun Shop & Range announced a change in leadership and ownership. Joe Murphy, who had already been involved in the company, took over as sole owner and CEO. This news was published directly by Buds Gun Shop and made the rounds pretty quickly in online firearms groups.
Instead of talking about downsizing or closing the doors, Murphy took the chance to say he was focused on strengthening the business. In his own words, “We will work hard to grow our business by supporting our partners and providing customers great products at our best price with exceptional service.”
You don’t usually hear that kind of language from a business that’s about to close. If anything, new ownership in the gun industry can be a sign that things are being refreshed, maybe even expanded. There were no hints about financial issues or a rough road ahead in their announcement.
What Has the Company Actually Said?
It’s easy for rumors to blow up, especially in tight-knit communities with active forums and social media groups. People talk, stories snowball, and suddenly there’s buzz about a familiar store disappearing overnight. But when you cut through the hearsay, nothing from Buds Gun Shop supports the rumor of a shutdown.
The company hasn’t put out any statement along the lines of “we’re going out of business.” As of late April 2025, there’s no official message on their website or social feeds warning customers of a closure. Usually, if a store this size was planning to close, there would be clear signs: big banners, closeout sales, refund notices, or press releases. Buds’ official feeds haven’t shown anything like that.
Instead, Buds has told customers directly to watch for accurate information from their own channels. That’s actually smart advice—businesses sometimes get hit with fake news or prank rumors online, and the straightforward way to clear the air is to check with them first.
A Look at Ongoing Operations
Sometimes, the clearest proof a company is still around is just seeing them do business. Folks in various gun forums have reported buying from Buds Gun Shop as recently as May 2024. Others mention trading old firearms in for cash or store credit, or even just showing up at the range and finding it busy as usual.
Buds also continues to update its website inventory. If you browse their online store, you’ll see in-stock firearms, ammo, accessories, and special deals being promoted. Online shops like this don’t keep updating stock if the lights are about to go out.
Support threads and product questions on places like Reddit, AR15.com, and The Firing Line show Buds employees answering questions and fulfilling orders. There are the occasional complaints—like with any large online retailer—but nothing points to a company in its last days.
There’s also the brick-and-mortar presence. Customers mention visits to the Lexington, Kentucky range and store, noting regular business operations. In-person business often continues even if there are hiccups behind the scenes, but for now, the signs are that things are running the way they always have.
Past Lawsuits and Legal Headaches in the Firearms Industry
It’s not unusual for a gun shop or gun website to end up in legal battles or face extra government scrutiny. Over the years, Buds Gun Shop has faced a few lawsuits—mostly from disputes over sales, contracts, or compliance with state and federal gun laws.
For instance, there have been cases relating to returns or firearm shipments. These sorts of legal tangles come with the territory. Most large gun sellers go through them, especially given how many rules the firearms industry has to follow. However, a legal dispute doesn’t always equal permanent trouble.
Occasionally, regulators might step in for audits or paperwork issues. Gun stores are heavily watched, and paperwork mistakes can land them in hot water. Still, a quick glance through online firearm forums shows Buds Gun Shop weathering tough times and making fixes when it needs to.
Even after dealing with lawsuits or extra regulatory checks, Buds has never issued a statement blaming those problems for a shutdown. It’s true that some gun retailers run into deep trouble and can’t stay afloat. But Buds Gun Shop, as of now, keeps showing signs of resilience, especially with an owner who is explicitly saying he wants to make the business even stronger.
How Rumors Get Started (and Why They Stick)
So, why does this particular rumor keep popping up? Sometimes it begins with a bad customer experience or a delayed shipment. That can spiral into rumors, especially if other stores in the industry are having problems. The firearms world has seen big retailers close their doors before. For example, Sportman’s Warehouse and Gander Mountain both went through rough patches in the past, so customers get nervous when they see similar symptoms elsewhere.
Any gap in communication—like a late order or slow response to an email—can also get spun into something bigger. add the unpredictability of US gun policy, and you have even more room for speculation.
But looking at Buds Gun Shop specifically, we just aren’t seeing the usual warning signs. It’s actually more common for a store of this size to hit bumps without folding entirely, especially when leadership is bringing in fresh ideas and energy.
What Should Customers Do?
If you’re a regular customer or just thinking about buying from Buds, the most useful thing you can do is keep up with their direct updates. Big changes, like closing down a store or an online shop, almost always come with some sort of announcement. That could show up as an email to customers, a message on their website, or even a statement in industry news outlets.
Also, keep an eye on reliable reporting from business outlets. An article like this one on Business Republic Mag covers these stories from a broader angle, not just what’s trending in a single forum. These sources typically check their information before posting headlines.
Finally, if you’re worried about an order or a warranty issue, just call or email Buds directly. Most customer questions get answered that way. Companies sticking around are usually happy to clear up confusion about their store or services.
So, Is Buds Gun Shop Actually Closing?
Let’s bring it together. All signs point to Buds Gun Shop staying open, at least as of the latest updates into May 2025. There’s been a shift in leadership, sure, but the message from Joe Murphy and company has been about growth and better service—not winding down operations.
There are always challenges for businesses in the gun world. Laws change, the market swings, and public opinion shifts. Buds has weathered a few storms and kept serving customers. While it’s smart to stay alert for changes, there just aren’t the signals of an imminent shutdown. The website works, stores are open, and people are still buying and selling as usual.
If anything changes down the line, you’ll hear it from Buds Gun Shop themselves or through credible business outlets. For now, though, the rumors about Buds closing are just that—rumors. Check direct statements, keep an eye on recent customer reviews, and don’t let the speculation fool you.
As of spring 2025, Buds Gun Shop stays in the game. Anyone looking for official updates should stick to company posts and reliable business news rather than internet gossip. That’s the best way to tell what’s really going on.
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