At Chandler’s Guns Etc., Bryant Scatena examines an AR-15 he’s thinking about purchasing sooner rather than later because of fears that the government will curb sales of assault rifles.
“With the way things are going and the economy and our president and the bans that they’re putting on stuff, you know, we got to kind of protect ourselves too,” Scatena said.
Ron Sega, owner of Guns Etc., said his sales tripled shortly after the general election.
“We’re selling a lot of handguns, semi-automatics, and AR-15s,” he said. “Ammunition sales are up considerably.”
It was the same story from many of the 25 other Arizona gun store owners and clerks contacted by Cronkite News Service: Sales are up for reasons including President Barack Obama’s re-election, the struggling economy and havoc wreaked by Hurricane Sandy.
News organizations in many other states have reported the same.
“I think customers are pretty concerned with what’s going on with the economy, and obviously how the election went,” Sega said. “Any time you have someone in power that pretty much is anti-gun, at least the shooting community is concerned about what may happen in the next four years.”
During one of the presidential debates, Obama said he was interested in seeing an assault weapons ban that was in effect from 1994 to 2004 reintroduced. That law limited firing capacity and regulated pistol-grip, suppressor and bayonet attachments.
The president also said he wants to explore ways to curb violence committed with handguns.
Don Gallardo, manager of Shooter’s World in Phoenix, said sales usually increase this time of year but are up slightly more because of the election.
“Customers are saying, ‘I better hurry and get my gun before they take them all away,’” he said.
Richard Plattner, a Phoenix attorney with 30 years experience in cases involving gun laws, defective guns, and gun-related injuries, said it’s unlikely that the assault weapons ban will come back despite mass killings such as the one in Aurora, Colo.
“The question is whether or not any of the recent shootings have created enough momentum, enough political will, to move the gauge significantly enough that a bill will get passed which really makes a difference,” Plattner said. “And there’s no evidence of that kind of change in the political landscape.”
Hilda Saizow, president of Arizonans for Gun Safety, a group that advocates for gun control, called the spike in gun sales irrational and unfortunate.
“There’s been no evidence of change, in any way, related to gun laws,” Saizow said. “It’s a response by a minority of people, who are gun owners, going out and purchasing more weapons.”
The key to curbing gun violence is finding common ground in Congress, she said.
“There are lots of loopholes in which people who should not be buying guns are buying them from gun shows, through classified ads, online, or through private sellers,” Saizow said.
At Guns Etc., Ron Sega said he’s happy to have the boost in business.
“I’ve been doing this 25 years, and I’ll have to be honest, the eight years that Bill Clinton was president and the four years that Obama has been president have been my best years. You ask why? The fear factor.”
Darrell Murray, a retired Arizona Highway Patrol officer and owner of Murray’s Firearms in Tucson, said his sales are up about 150 percent due to fears of new gun laws.
“Obama will be gun salesman of the year,” he said.
Boomerb posted at 8:18 am on Tue, Dec 4, 2012.
Gun sales are also up because many of these same nuts believe that the apocalypse is coming on December 21, that Obama is the anti-christ, that Jews have a secret cabal planning to take over the world, and that Elvis is still alive.
Zero gun control bills in the first 4 years. Zero indication that there is any interest in gun control in the second, other than the "broaden the conversation" comment in the debates.
And how many of these idiots are part of a "well regulated militia" anyway?
Mike McClellan posted at 4:18 pm on Mon, Dec 3, 2012.
Here comes the bogeyman, everyone! Watch out!! He'll take our guns!! Better buy them now while you can (nice pitch by the NRA and gun store owners --- Accuracy's bought it hook, line, and sinker).
Accuracy posted at 5:00 pm on Sun, Dec 2, 2012.
one of the last posted: ……. “nonAccuracy the United Nations (UN) Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Has nothing to do with Gun Control in the US.”
In 2006 the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution Towards an Arms Trade Treaty: establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. Now, the United Nations committee wants to renew talks over another proposed international Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
President George W. Bush's administration opposed the Arms Trade Treaty on the grounds that national controls were better. But, President Obama’s administration announced that it was overturning that position.
President Obama told his supporters, during his campaign for re-election, that voting is the “best revenge.” The revenge Obama seeks is against American gun owners and their Second Amendment rights . . . through an ATT that is incompatible with U.S. policies and liberties. Using ATT as a vehicle, to circumvent and contravene the same document and disarm Americans.
Bingo6 posted at 6:47 am on Sun, Dec 2, 2012.
Once again guys like Gun sellers like Ron Sega reap the rewards by selling fear of our black president to every addicted gun nut and Jared.Laughner wannabees in Arizona.
These jerks are nothing but legal terrorists.
mwmike posted at 6:41 am on Sun, Dec 2, 2012.
[ban]
mwmike posted at 6:38 am on Sun, Dec 2, 2012.
Tea-publicans are seriously delusional.
loose stool posted at 5:21 am on Sun, Dec 2, 2012.
obama came out durning the debate and said he wanted to reinstate the assault weapon ban,that and the fact that fast and furious was nothing more than a ploy to kill a few mexicans then blame America for it should prove that obama will do anything to take away our rights
one of the last posted at 3:22 am on Sun, Dec 2, 2012.
Accuracy or should I say nonAccuracy the United Nations (UN) Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Has nothing to do with Gun Control in the US. It is an Attempt to Stop guns from going to Mexico and Iran And all those places. The President would not have been able to sign it had it anything to do with blocking Second Amendment rights.
az2008 posted at 10:27 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
Gun control makes money for pro-gun groups. Back in the 80s-90s (and maybe today), the NRA would actually pay HCI royalties to reprint some of the most vitriolic literature HCI sent to its membership. HCI did the same thing with NRA's literature (such as the classic "jack-booted thugs" topic).
These groups have it down to an exact science. They know what drives donations and membership renewals. I'm sure the manufacturers and retail trade organization can translate a good rumor into %-sales increase.
I'm not discounting the reality that there are extreme elements on both sides of the debate. But, everyone should realize that the not-for-profits have a business interest in maintaining the "out to get us" mentality. Not for profit typically means spending all the revenue -- which can be in the form of salaries, bonuses, lavish "business trips," and contracts to businesses owned by family members.
You'd be amazed how these groups take advantage of their memberships. One small hysteria-provoking rumor can translate into big money.
Mike McClellan posted at 7:11 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
We've heard this one before . . . four years ago, to be exact.
When the NRA and gun shop owners made the same claim -- "ooooh, watch out, Obama's coming for your guns."
And in four years, here's what happened:
1. Obama required gun shop owners in four border states to report multiple sales to a single buyer, hardly restricting gun ownership;
2. Signing into law a bill that allows citizens to carry guns into national parks.
No gun control laws or regulations at all. Zero. Zip. Nada.
But great for sales and NRA fund-raising/membership.
Meantime, another kid was killed in Florida last week, the shooter invoking the Stand Your Ground Law.
The kid was in a car with loud music blaring; the shooter pulled up and shouted at the kids to turn it down. A confrontation ensued, the shooter claimed he saw a shotgun in the car, and shot/killed the kid. One problem: No shotgun.
Danamo51 posted at 6:38 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
Why is the assault rifle that Ron Sega is shown holding pink? It's cute, but really, a pink assault rifle? Maybe it's clever camouflage, but I'm not sure for what intended game. I guess a pink assault rifle is even more deadly than any other color because whoever you're pointing it at is likely to die laughing before you even pull the trigger.
bubba posted at 5:45 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
Richard Mueller .....[offtopic]......The conversation here is gun control......Try to focus.
Accuracy posted at 5:43 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
Gun control . . . and President Barack Obama's second term.
President Obama does favor the United Nations (UN) Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). And gun rights advocates are keeping their eye on the ball regarding the constitutional right that ultimately preserves all others — namely the Second Amendment.
Gun sales are up according to vendors in many states. During the presidential debates, President Obama said he would consider reintroducing a ban on assault weapons. During a presidential debate on Oct. 16, he said that he's trying to "get a broader conversation about how do we reduce the violence generally."
Just days after the election, gun sales have soared all across the nation. Since Obama's re-election and renewed fear of a gun ban, there’s now a run on gun sales, and it looks like guns and ammo are selling out.
Whether; it's “concerns about the potential for new gun laws,” fear of tighter regulations, Obama’s bill on gun-control, or fear of a deeper economic crisis, Americans are building arsenals of handguns, hunting rifles, assault weapons, and even machine guns.
Richard Mueller posted at 5:26 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
When will the "campaigner-in-chief" end the campaign and begin governing? The "fiscal cliff" for those paying attention, was an engineered outcome of the "super committee" some time back. Just as it was "created" by the Congress it can be "disassembled" by the Congress if they wish.
For now, its a nice narrative for Obama to continue campaigning on and demand what he wants using the "fear" in the public of the "fiscal cliff"
Talk about fear mongering? The "fiscal cliff" is a classic example. And I highly doubt there is one rube reading this blog with enough fiscal, economic, or legislative knowledge to discuss this reasonably with facts not emotions or talking points.
As for the spike in sales of the "tools of self-defense"? Who cares? Just keep in mind, when seconds count the authorities are only minutes away.
bubba posted at 5:06 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
Fear tactics sales gimmicks work !! Just look at the clown in Lakeside Az. He's had his 15 minutes of fame and the boost in sales from nothing more than a cheap sell of fear and fabricated lies.
downtownresident posted at 4:24 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
Sadly,
These guys are idiots.
Obama has not tried to do anything to outlaw gun sales.
Carolyn posted at 3:19 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
You people who fall for scare myths that "the government" is trying to take away your guns are NOT smart enough to OWN guns....NO ONE is trying to take them away. However, the ownership of guns should be regulated, and ANYONE who sells one should have to report the sale, along with sending a picture of the buyer's ID, to a regulatory office - so it's known who has them. If a gun owner's gun is stolen, it should be mandatory that the theft is reported....and if it isn't, and the gun is used in the commission of a crime, the "owner" who failed to report the theft should be held liable for any injuries caused. But - there is another NUT WITH A GUN in the news almost every day - some "person" who thought it was cute or smart or wise to use a gun to settle a dispute when simply "backing off" would have worked just as well. Gun nuts are just that - NUTS.
Bass Virus posted at 3:18 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
Sales are up due to fear - because interested parties are ratcheting up fear to improve sales.
The president has signed several bills that actually relax gun control (you can carry in a national park now for instance) and yet these people still insist the gestapo will be kicking our doors in any minute now.
Any time now... no...wait for it....
bubba posted at 3:14 pm on Sat, Dec 1, 2012.
As the owner of a shoehorn store I'm here to tell you that Obama's intent is to outlaw shoehorns. The Constitition protects you from the Government taking away your shoehorns!!! Get into my store now and buy all the shoehorns you can before Obama takes away your rights!!!!!!