For stupid people maybe. If one is worried about making the rent or where their next meal will come from they should not even be considering something frivolous like an AR. There was a time in my life when I had to worry about the rent money. Hell, there was a time in my life when I didn't have the rent money and I was evicted. You know what else I didn't have during that time? Guns, TV, a car, basically any and all luxury items. I certainly wasn't looking to buy an AR.
I am not saying they are smart - I am just saying there are a lot of people like that out there. So to answer the OP's question - NO Some people have not learned their lesson. They never will. They will buy 4 packs of toilet paper for $4.00 at a convenience store instead of 24 rolls for $6.00 at Walmart. Stupid is as Stupid does...
... I slacked up on going shooting and rode out the real tuff times. Then I stocked up like a fool just as things were getting back to normal.