There’s been a real wave of chatter online about Buds Gun Shop recently. If you search the topic, you’ll find plenty of threads and speculation about whether the well-known firearm retailer is about to shut its doors. In times when big names sometimes disappear overnight, it’s not a strange question. But if you’re wondering where these rumors are coming from, and—more importantly—if Buds Gun Shop is really about to go out of business, you’re not alone.
Let’s walk through what’s actually going on. We’ll cover the facts and clear up some confusion, so you know what’s happening with Buds Gun Shop as of May 2025.
Current Status: Still Very Much in Business
First things first, Buds Gun Shop is still open for business. There are no public signs that the company is closing or experiencing financial troubles. That’s based on the latest checks with business records, current firearms forums, and news from reliable sources in the industry.
You can shop online at their website, call any of their stores, and even walk into the brick-and-mortar locations in Lexington, Kentucky; Greenville, Kentucky; and Sevierville, Tennessee. The phones are being answered, new deals are posted, and customers are picking up firearms and accessories.
If you’re a regular, maybe you’ve noticed some new faces at the counter or seen management changes. That’s true—there’s been a change at the top, and that’s probably fueling most of the recent talk.
Ownership Change: Joe Murphy Steps In
Back in April 2024, Buds Gun Shop switched hands behind the scenes. Joe Murphy officially became the sole owner and CEO of Buds Gun Shop & Range. To be clear, there was no mention of bankruptcy, forced sale, or anything along those lines. It was a classic business transaction.
Joe Murphy’s not completely new to the operation. He’s spent years working in or around firearms retail, according to staffers and industry chatter. Now, as the main decision maker, Murphy says his plans are pretty simple: keep Buds Gun Shop rolling and try to grow it. He’s given a handful of interviews and posts on business sites promising to stick with the formula that turned Buds into a household name for gun buyers and collectors.
What does that mean if you’re a customer? Not much changes, at least for now. Your orders still get shipped, the stores still stock the normal lineup of pistols, rifles, and gear, and the Buds name continues to carry the same weight it did a year ago.
Buds Gun Shop’s Physical and Online Presence
Buds isn’t just an online store. A lot of people still prefer to walk in, handle a firearm, and talk to staff before they buy. That’s likely one reason Buds continues to keep actual storefronts in Lexington, KY; Greenville, KY; and Sevierville, TN going strong.
Each of these shops has its own feel. Some are a bit larger, with shooting ranges attached, while others focus on sales and service. It’s not just handguns and rifles, either. They carry AR-15 parts, optics, hunting accessories, ammo, and just about anything a gun enthusiast might look for. Customers in the area still mention the friendly staff, same-day pickups, and monthly events.
On top of all that, Buds Gun Shop’s online sales presence remains robust. Their website has become one of the top search results for popular firearms and deals, bringing in customers from all over the country. It’s common for online buyers to use the site, have shipments sent to their local FFL (federal firearms license holder), and track inventory in real time. This entire backbone seems alive and well, with regular updates, sale banners, and live chat support running almost daily.
Where Did the Rumors Come From?
So why the swirl of rumors? It seems like every year, forums and social media light up with worries any time there’s a staff shakeup, complaint about service, or hiccup in shipping speed. For Buds, the April 2024 change in ownership triggered a batch of these posts. Some took a management announcement out of context, or simply assumed the worst.
Other users pointed to isolated negative reviews or brought up customer service complaints from years past. There’s nothing unusual about large online retailers facing mixed reviews, but it’s easy for negative stories to get overblown. The jump from “I had a bad experience” to “I think they’re going out of business” is a short one for many forum commenters.
At the same time, threads on firearms forums like AR15.com and The Firing Line continued showing everyday discussion about Buds Gun Shop: price checks, trade stories, and regular traffic. No credible insider info, no leaks about closure—just usual industry talk.
Clearing Up Misunderstandings
It’s easy to see how confusion can spread, especially in a business as regulated and closely watched as firearms retail. Sometimes, stories about one gun dealer’s troubles get mistakenly tied to another. For example, earlier in 2024, there were actual shutdown talks about Pioneer Arms, another company in the firearms space. Some readers got threads crossed and thought Buds might be affected, but there’s zero connection between them.
Then there’s Buds Gun Shop’s legal history. Like many large retailers, they’ve faced lawsuits and occasional controversies. Some involved shipping delays, warranty matters, or disputes with suppliers—run-of-the-mill issues for any business at this scale. The key thing: none of these problems ever shut down Buds or interrupted their regular business. If anything, court records and old forum posts suggest the company found ways to resolve things and keep moving.
It’s also possible that regulatory changes at the state or federal level get misinterpreted by some shoppers. New rules on certain types of firearms, for instance, have led some customers to think their favorite shops could close. But so far, Buds has managed to adapt and stay compliant.
For folks who follow broader retail news, hearing about a business being sold or seeing a CEO change can rightly make you pay attention. But it’s not unusual, and rarely means “going out of business” unless paired with other, more concrete red flags.
The State of Business at Buds: Spring 2025 Update
Fast forward to late spring 2025. Buds Gun Shop’s stores are still open, inventory is moving, and their website is active day and night. Customers are able to order, ask questions, and schedule pickups as usual. The transition to sole ownership by Joe Murphy seems to have been as smooth as these things get.
Murphy himself has been quick to say Buds isn’t going anywhere. Staff in the Kentucky and Tennessee stores mention a focus on recruiting and training new associates, adding new product lines, and working on better customer outreach. It’s all the expected stuff a growing retailer talks about—nothing that matches rumors of a business on its last legs.
Meanwhile, if you look at volume on the forums, Buds Gun Shop still gets the same type of attention it always has: shoppers checking gun prices, folks posting about recent deals, and the usual debates and reviews. A handful of customers have recently posted positive stories, sharing images of their pickups or writing thank-you notes to in-store employees.
If you dig into records, you’ll also see Buds Gun Shop still submitting federal compliance paperwork, updating inventory, and paying business taxes. These are the basic signs of a functioning, legal retail operation.
Why This Matters to Customers and Gun Buyers
When a well-known gun shop’s status is unclear, it can make customers nervous. Rarely does a business with such a big online and local presence disappear without warning. If you’re a collector, law enforcement buyer, or just a hobbyist, you want to know your orders will be filled and that service will continue.
No doubt, online rumors can spark real headaches. Stores can lose sales, employees get anxious, and confusion spreads fast. That’s probably why Buds and its new CEO have spent time making clear public comments—on their own platforms and through press statements—that things are steady.
If you’re weighing a purchase, you don’t have to worry about your order being lost in limbo right now. The transition in leadership isn’t an ending, just a business change, much like what you see for many family-owned or regional brands as founders retire or move on. For shoppers, the day-to-day experience remains the same: same website, same stores, same shelves filled with everything from concealed carry pistols to high-end hunting rifles.
For people who follow business news, these sorts of rumors can be a reminder of how much retail depends on public confidence as much as anything. Stores in any industry can face wild swings in reputation off the back of online chatter, whether the facts match up or not.
The Bottom Line: Buds Gun Shop Continues in 2025
The short version is this: Buds Gun Shop is not going out of business. The company did go through a big change in ownership, with Joe Murphy stepping in as CEO—and planning more growth, not a shutdown. Physical retail stores in Kentucky and Tennessee are open, employees are on the floor, and the robust online business hasn’t missed a beat.
If you’re looking for more business stories like this, check out Blue Business Mag for updates on other retailers, trends, and the occasional cautionary tale.
For Buds customers, though, everything indicates business as usual—just with a new name behind the CEO desk. The shop continues to lead in online firearm sales and local service, and there’s no credible evidence of trouble as of May 2025.
So, if you’ve got your eye on a particular gun or you just like to browse what’s new, Buds Gun Shop remains a safe bet for purchases and service. It’s running steady, adapting, and—despite the noise—doing just fine.
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