Fears of Democratic Crackdown Lead to Gun Sales Boom

[jingjai]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081108/ap_ ... _gun_sales

Fears of Democrat crackdown lead to gun sales boom

By DENA POTTER, Associated Press Writer Dena Potter, Associated Press Writer – 21 mins ago

MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – When 10-year-old Austin Smith heard Barack Obama had been elected president, he had one question: Does this mean I won't get a new gun for Christmas?

That brought his mother, the camouflage-clad Rachel Smith, to Bob Moates Sports Shop on Thursday, where she was picking out that special 20-gauge shotgun — one of at least five weapons she plans to buy before Obama takes office in January.

Like Smith, gun enthusiasts nationwide are stocking up on firearms out of fears that the combination of an Obama administration and a Democrat-dominated Congress will result in tough new gun laws.

"I think they're going to really try to crack down on guns and make it harder for people to try to purchase them," said Smith, 32, who taught all five of her children — ages 4 to 10 — to shoot because the family relies on game for food.

Last month, as an Obama win looked increasingly inevitable, there were more than 108,000 more background checks for gun purchases than in October 2007, a 15 percent increase. And they were up about 8 percent for the year as of Oct. 26, according to the FBI.

No data was available for gun purchases this week, but gun shops from suburban Virginia to the Rockies report record sales since Tuesday's election.

"They're scared to death of losing their rights," said David Hancock, manager of Bob Moates, where sales have nearly doubled in the past week and are up 15 percent for the year. On Election Day, salespeople were called in on their day off because of the crowd.

Obama has said he respects Americans' Second Amendment right to bear arms, but that he favors "common sense" gun laws. Gun rights advocates interpret that as meaning he'll at least enact curbs on ownership of assault and concealed weapons.

As a U.S. Senator, Obama voted to leave gun-makers and dealers open to lawsuits; and as an Illinois state legislator, he supported a ban on semiautomatic weapons and tighter restrictions on all firearms.

During an October appearance in Ohio, Obama sought to reassure gun owners. "I will not take your shotgun away," he said. "I will not take your rifle away. I won't take your handgun away."

Gun advocates take some solace in the current makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled 5-4 this summer to strike down the District of Columbia's 32-year ban on handguns. For now, gun rights supporters hold a narrow edge on the court, but Obama could appoint justices who would swing it the other way.

Franklin Gun Shop outside Nashville, Tenn., sold more than 70 guns on Tuesday, making it the biggest sales day since the shop opened eight years ago. Guns & Gear in Cheyenne, Wyo., also set a one-day sales record on Tuesday, only to break that mark on Wednesday.

Stewart Wallin, owner of Get Some Guns in the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray, Utah, said he sold nine assault weapons the day after Obama was elected. That same day, the gun store Cheaper Than Dirt! in Fort Worth, Texas, sold $101,000 worth of merchandise, shattering its single-day sales record, store owner DeWayne Irwin said.

One Georgia gun shop advertised an "Obama sale" on an outdoor sign, but the owner took it down after people complained that the shop appeared to be issuing a call to violence against the country's first black leader.

The president of a Montana gun manufacturer stepped down last month after word that he supported Obama led to calls for a boycott of the company.

While Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, attributes some of the sales boom to the tanking economy, he thinks the Democratic sweep is the top reason why guns are suddenly a hot commodity.

"I don't think he'll be able to stand up to that anti-Second Amendment wing of the Democratic party that's just been spoiling for chance to ban America's guns," LaPierre said of Obama.

During the campaign, the NRA warned that Obama would be the "most antigun president in American history." And while Vice President-elect Joe Biden owns shotguns, he has supported a ban on assault weapons and has said private sellers at gun shows should be required to perform background checks.

But Mark Tushnet, a Harvard Law School professor who has written a book about the gun debate, said new firearms regulations will be a low priority for an Obama administration and Democratic Congress facing a global economic crisis and two wars.

"Maybe the gun-show loophole will be closed, but not much else," he said in an e-mail. "I'd be surprised, for example, if Congress enacted a new assault gun ban."

Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said his organization will continue to press for what he calls "sensible" restrictions — background checks at gun shows, a ban on military-style assault weapons and cracking down on illegal gun trade. He believes he has the backing of the new administration on those issues, but any fears of a broader crackdown are unfounded.

"The one thing that they agree strongly with us on is that it's too easy for dangerous people to get guns in this country," Helmke said. "I guess if you're a dangerous person you might want to run out there and buy some more, but otherwise you should be OK."

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Associated Press writers Lara Jakes Jordan in Washington, Angela K. Brown in Fort Worth, Texas, Kate Brumback in Marietta, Ga., Joe Edwards in Nashville, Tenn., Don Mitchell in Denver, Matt Joyce in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Paul Foy in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.

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Barack Obama said he would improve the economy. Turns out he already has, at least in one retail niche: gun sales.

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

and here some more messages that can stimulate the economy:

I heard Obama is going to take away your car tires too better buy 20 or 30 sets.
And the washing machines and dryers.
Refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, couches and chairs.
You better go buy a new house to store all the stuff .
STOCK UP !!!!!!! BUY ALL YOU CAN.

[cookie]

the real reason why gun sales boom:

http://www.236.com/video/


Obama wants a New World Order

[Goldcoaster au]

l dont like guns that my feelin

[WBU ALUM]

l dont like guns that my feelin

If you ever needed one to protect yourself or a family member, you'd never leave home without it.

That's my feeling.

[aznyron]

I am a strong supporter of the second amendment I also have two guns in my daughter house in FL
now I do want to say it silly panic on the part of those who believe the second amendment will be lost
I do agree that the laws are not being enforced that all ready on the books and some are needed to be put in place for one only American citizen should be allowed to buy a fire arm if that rule is there then they better start enforcing it because that how the Korean kid bought a gun and killed a few school mates & himself. also gun permits should be issued that covers you nation wide not just in your home state and there should be a limit on hand gun ownership since you can only carry two and now with all that fire power you only need one and as for home and business protection one is all you need and be allowed now for the collectors they must have a government approved safe to store there collections and not out on display in a glass show case so they can be stolen & used in a commission of a crime also they must get a collectors class license and must carry liability insurance in case one of his/her guns kills some one or injure them. just a reminder the constitution needs 2/3 of the House Senate and Governors to change the law now when you go south of mason dixon and west of the mississippi river you just lost the support to change the law because guns are there mia noi (2nd wife )