Nov 8, 2008 10:51 pm US/Central
Gun Enthusiasts Stock Up, Fear Future Regulation
(WCCO)
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The AR-15 rifle is similar to the M16 weapons used by America's military, but lacks the three-round-burst fire mode.
CBS
Handgun sales have gone up by about 20 percent at some local gun dealers since Obama was elected. One local dealer said that is because people are afraid their opportunity to buy guns could become more difficult once Obama takes office.
"We hear some things like, 'Well, I better get them while I can.' AR-15s in particular, folks are nervous about that not being available any longer," said Dave Florek of Joe's Sporting Goods in St. Paul.
Florek believes guns like the AR-15 and other handguns will be in Obama's crosshairs when he takes office. He bases this on Obama's history in Illinois of supporting bans on semi-automatic guns, and his desire to put rigid restrictions on firearm purchases.
Florek said consumers are feeling it to. Since Obama was elected, 70 percent of the guns purchased in his store have been handguns. He said they are locking them up while they still can.
One gun buyer told WCCO he is surprised by the increase in gun sales.
"While I was there for about a half hour I think they sold four Glocks. People just call up and say, 'Do you got a nine [millimeter] and a .40 [caliber]? I'll take them. I will be over to get them,'" said Harvey Strecker.
Gun buyers and dealers said President-elect Obama's "smoking gun" is his history of voting for tighter gun restrictions. But they said gun restrictions should not be a top priority for the new President.
"I would urge him to pay attention to the economy and the things that are really important to the country. Law-abiding citizens and their use of firearms is not even on the radar as far as problems go for him," said Florek.
While campaigning in Ohio in October, Obama told a group of gun owners that he will not take their guns away. Many feel that he won't, though they believe he will fight for laws that will make it harder to purchase certain guns like the AR-15.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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