Gun Sales Up
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Gun Sales Up
Some local gun dealers are reporting an increase in sales, which they say stems from both the struggling economy and the race for the White House.
Reporter: By Matt Felder
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(October 30, 2008)--In today's economy, retail sales are slow, car sales are down, and credit is tight, but gun sales haven’t slumped.

Nationwide they're actually up from a year ago mainly because of economic concerns and the race for the White House.

Historically a bad economy leads to higher crime and there are concerns that Democrats tend to want a tighter grasp on guns.

When Sal Scarso went shopping for a new pistol he had one thing on his mind, security.

"Specially in the area I live in Killeen, robberies and home break-ins all the time," Scarso said.

Temple has had its own recent rash of robberies.

Property crimes can be triggered by a worsening economy and are one reason gun sales are up close to 10 percent from a year ago.

"When there's a sense of uncertainty, people want to buy a little security for them," Justin Weber of Weber’s Sporting Goods said.

However, the upcoming election has also brought talk of stricter gun regulations should Democrat Barack Obama win the presidency.

"They're fearful that their rights are going to be taken away,” Weber said, which is one reason Weber's Sporting Goods has seen a growing interest in hand guns and assault rifles, as law-abiding gun owners tend to side with the Republicans.

"If they were just enforced today then you wouldn't have the need for more gun laws, gun owner Russell Banks said.

“We should just be stricter on the punishments and stricter on enforcing what we already have."

The fall hunting season in Texas is also keeping the gun industry strong.

However, similar spikes in sales occurred in 1994 when President Bill Clinton pushed for a ban on military style rifles.

Handgun sales jumped during the unrest in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and after the massacre at Virginia Tech.

Latest Comments

Posted by: EBCB Location: Tex on Nov 8, 2008 at 10:26 PM

A Desert Eagle is overkill for a CCW, after all, to be legal it has to be concealed, good luck concealing a Desert Eagle!! Plus, you're liable for what the bullet destroys/kills after it exits the intended target. I agree with 45Auto's post, a 1911 .45ACP is an excellent choice, as is a snub-nose .38SPC or .357 with PP ammo or Safety Slugs. If you were to choose that route, go .357 as you can fire .357 or .38SPC out of the same gun, but not vice versa. 40S&W is a nice choice as well, with the proper ammo. Only guns I'd stay away from for a CCW are 9mm and .22, the .32 is a great pocket CCW but is only good for up close use, which should be the only time you need to use it anyway. I plan on buying a handgun and going for the CCW permit in the future.
Posted by: 45Auto Location: Garland, TX on Nov 4, 2008 at 04:11 PM

A Desert Eagle is rediculous; best is 911-45auto. Crime is related to a bad economy. This doesnt have anything to do with scumbags who dont look for jobs anyway.What we are looking at is a lot of people who didnt used to be scumbags, have recently lost their jobs, and have now decided to become...Brand New Scumbags!! It does not matter if they are experienced-older scumbags, or if they are brand new-younger scumbags. The only solution for ANY OF THEM is to use a .45 auto on them!! Put two in their chest, real quick. And then slowly and carefully take carefull aim, so as to put one into their..cranial cavity (3"x5"--above the moustache and below the eyebrows). LIGHTS OUT AND GOODBYE SCUMBAG!!! Truth is...we are always just a breath away from total anarchy. Human Nature is like that. Whatever be the cause..natural disaster, or major attack from terrorists--best defense is .45 auto, 12 guage shotgun, and LOTS and LOTS of ammo!! Get ready for when society loses its mind..cus, IT WILL!
Posted by: player of the year Location: Waco,Tx on Nov 1, 2008 at 11:49 AM

I went shopping for a concealed handgun. I asked the guy in the establishment that I was in if he had a Desert Eagle. He said yeah, but that's not something you would to carry as a concealed weapon. I asked why not? He said because it is heavy. I said that doesn't matter. I want to have assurance that I can keep trouble away. He tried to show me .38 and a 357 revolver. I said come on man!
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