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http://www.dailyjournalonline....5ded22c464983556.txt
Obama platform spurs shortages in gun market
Ammunition, firearms sales up as gun buyers rush to beat possible assault weapons ban
By CHRIS CLINE
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Farmington, Missouri
Mar 15, 2009 - 08:06:35 CDT
On Monday Stan Dix spent the day searching for a distributor who had ammunition in stock for his shooting range and gun store. Dix owns and operates Top Gun Shooting Sports in Imperial. The owner said the ammunition supply nationwide has gotten extremely slim and he was beginning to worry he would not be able to get a shipment for his range.
"It's tight right now," Dix said. "Luckily, we found a distributor who had a shipment of Winchester ammunition and we are going to be able to get some of that."
Dix said he has seen an increase in the sale of all types of firearms and ammunition. Dealers claim the surge in sales began right after Barack Obama was elected president.
"We are even selling a lot of accessories," he said. "Distributors are running low on their supply of guns and ammunition."
Dix said he started to notice an upward swing in sales during the fall. He credits the presidential election as playing a factor.
"We are selling a lot of handguns and a lot of rifles," he said. "Tactical rifles, home defense shotguns and hunting shotguns are also selling. Gun owners are stocking up."
Scott Partridge, the department manager at Arcadia Sporting Goods, echoed the same sentiments.
"We have seen a surge in sales on everything," he said. "Especially, on semi-automatic handguns and anything for conceal and carry."
He said .380 caliber has gotten so popular the local store can't find ammunition.
"People remember what happened in 1994 with the bans on assault weapons and on high capacity magazines," Partridge said. "With the new administration taking office gun owners are concerned some of the same restrictions may go into effect again."
Like Dix, Partridge said ammunition supply is tight right now. He said his store has managed to maintain a constant supply because they stock several cases at a time.
Tim Wilson, of Mega Sports, said gun sales have gone up tremendously since the election.
"Especially the smaller, concealable handguns," Wilson said. "People are panic buying. The fear of legislation that may or may not be passed has people buying."
He said assault type rifle sales have also soared.
"We can't keep them in stock," he said. "Ammunition is also tough to find right now. It's hard for us to find it. It's starting to cross over into the reloading supplies."
President Barack Obama's agenda on the second amendment and firearms is posted on the White House's Web site. Vice-president Joe Biden and Obama are in favor of repealing the Tiahrt Amendment, which restricts the ability of local law enforcement to access important gun trace information. They also support closing the gun show loophole and making the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent.
Attorney General Eric Holder added fuel to the paranoia and may have even caused a larger increase in firearm sales with comments he made last month.
"As President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons," Holder said.
Holder claims that putting the ban back on assault weapons would cut down on the flow of guns crossing the border into Mexico.
Holder's comments have been met with resistance from members of Congress. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has said she will oppose any efforts to reinstate the "Assault Weapons Ban."
"In my mind, this issue was settled in 2004 when the ban expired. Congress spends too much time regulating the lawful activities of law-abiding gun owners and too little time strengthening penalties against the individuals who commit gun crimes," Emerson said. "In Southern Missouri, we have responsible gun owners and sportsmen who absolutely own firearms that would fall under this ban if it were reinstated today. Whether it is for hunting, marksmanship, or personal protection, law-abiding citizens have many legal uses for guns that were covered under the previous Assault Weapons Ban. The federal government's efforts to outlaw these guns amount to an attempt to weaken the Second Amendment."
Even though Obama claims his plans would help law enforcement, there are members of law enforcement who are not in favor of the changes.
"I'm not in favor of any new legislation on gun control whosoever," said Desloge Police Chief James Bullock. "The current laws we have are satisfactory for both parties, for and against gun control. The only people who are going to benefit from further restrictions are the criminals. New restrictions would be a hindrance to law-abiding citizens. These changes will keep our citizens from being able to protect themselves sufficiently from the criminal population."
Dix pointed out that civilians don't own assault weapons because assault weapons are fully automatic.
"We have semi-automatic weapons," he said. "I think the government needs to clarify what it is referring to when it talks about he Assault Weapons Ban."
St. Francois County 911 Director Alan Wells teaches conceal and carry classes in St. Francois County. He said he started seeing increases in his class sizes beginning in September and October.
Wells said his class sizes range from 5-15 people. The class consists of four hours of classroom instruction and four hours of hands-on training. Topic that are covered include safety, safety in the home, when to use lethal force and where not to carry a firearm. The hands-on training includes shooting approximately 70 rounds, of which 20 rounds are used to qualify for the permit.
"There has definitely been an increase in the interest," he said. "I think it's spurred on by the unknown. It's a combination of politics and the state of the economy the way it is. I think there is a lot of concern with the way that gun laws are in Illinois. That is where Barack Obama is from. You cannot carry a concealed weapon in Illinois and there are a lot more restrictions on firearms and ammunition."
Wells agreed with Bullock and said by putting additional restrictions on firearms and ammunition all the government is doing is restricting people who have the right to defend themselves.
"People who use guns for shootings and crimes are using illegal guns," he said. "There is definitely a paranoia that exists right now. Whether it's warranted or not, I don't know. It seems like with the new administration coming in, there is a lot more interest and concern with people wanting to take advantage of this right they have."
St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock said in January and February of 2008 there were 33 conceal and carry permits issued in St. Francois County. During the same two months this year the number of permits issued has surged to 72. Since April of 2004 there have been 620 permits issued.
Rick Rapert, a retired St. Louis police officer and president of the 67 Gun Club, said people have good reason to be stocking up on firearms and ammunition.
"The government is going to put more restrictions on it," he said. "The Obama administration is going to have anti-gun legislators in Congress push legislation through. They are trying to pass legislation that says you can't reload ammo and that requires you to purchase micro-stamped ammunition. They are trying to backdoor us on our second amendment rights. People should be aware that (President) Obama is going to take our guns away."
Rapert said because of his experience in law enforcement, he knows thieves and people who commit crimes don't buy their guns at gun shops and they don't typically obtain their ammunition legally. He said the people that the new restrictions will affect are the recreational shooters who go to the gun range or the people who purchase guns for self defense.
"The government can't stop the drug trafficking coming from Mexico," he said. "If they can get drugs in, they can get weapons in. Our government is more concerned about the semi-automatic weapons that are legal here than the fully automatic weapons that are crossing the border into the United States from Mexico."
Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at [email protected].
Copyright © 2009 Daily Journal Online. All rights reserved.
http://www.dailyjournalonline....5ded22c464983556.txt
Obama platform spurs shortages in gun market
Ammunition, firearms sales up as gun buyers rush to beat possible assault weapons ban
By CHRIS CLINE
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Farmington, Missouri
Mar 15, 2009 - 08:06:35 CDT
On Monday Stan Dix spent the day searching for a distributor who had ammunition in stock for his shooting range and gun store. Dix owns and operates Top Gun Shooting Sports in Imperial. The owner said the ammunition supply nationwide has gotten extremely slim and he was beginning to worry he would not be able to get a shipment for his range.
"It's tight right now," Dix said. "Luckily, we found a distributor who had a shipment of Winchester ammunition and we are going to be able to get some of that."
Dix said he has seen an increase in the sale of all types of firearms and ammunition. Dealers claim the surge in sales began right after Barack Obama was elected president.
"We are even selling a lot of accessories," he said. "Distributors are running low on their supply of guns and ammunition."
Dix said he started to notice an upward swing in sales during the fall. He credits the presidential election as playing a factor.
"We are selling a lot of handguns and a lot of rifles," he said. "Tactical rifles, home defense shotguns and hunting shotguns are also selling. Gun owners are stocking up."
Scott Partridge, the department manager at Arcadia Sporting Goods, echoed the same sentiments.
"We have seen a surge in sales on everything," he said. "Especially, on semi-automatic handguns and anything for conceal and carry."
He said .380 caliber has gotten so popular the local store can't find ammunition.
"People remember what happened in 1994 with the bans on assault weapons and on high capacity magazines," Partridge said. "With the new administration taking office gun owners are concerned some of the same restrictions may go into effect again."
Like Dix, Partridge said ammunition supply is tight right now. He said his store has managed to maintain a constant supply because they stock several cases at a time.
Tim Wilson, of Mega Sports, said gun sales have gone up tremendously since the election.
"Especially the smaller, concealable handguns," Wilson said. "People are panic buying. The fear of legislation that may or may not be passed has people buying."
He said assault type rifle sales have also soared.
"We can't keep them in stock," he said. "Ammunition is also tough to find right now. It's hard for us to find it. It's starting to cross over into the reloading supplies."
President Barack Obama's agenda on the second amendment and firearms is posted on the White House's Web site. Vice-president Joe Biden and Obama are in favor of repealing the Tiahrt Amendment, which restricts the ability of local law enforcement to access important gun trace information. They also support closing the gun show loophole and making the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent.
Attorney General Eric Holder added fuel to the paranoia and may have even caused a larger increase in firearm sales with comments he made last month.
"As President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons," Holder said.
Holder claims that putting the ban back on assault weapons would cut down on the flow of guns crossing the border into Mexico.
Holder's comments have been met with resistance from members of Congress. U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has said she will oppose any efforts to reinstate the "Assault Weapons Ban."
"In my mind, this issue was settled in 2004 when the ban expired. Congress spends too much time regulating the lawful activities of law-abiding gun owners and too little time strengthening penalties against the individuals who commit gun crimes," Emerson said. "In Southern Missouri, we have responsible gun owners and sportsmen who absolutely own firearms that would fall under this ban if it were reinstated today. Whether it is for hunting, marksmanship, or personal protection, law-abiding citizens have many legal uses for guns that were covered under the previous Assault Weapons Ban. The federal government's efforts to outlaw these guns amount to an attempt to weaken the Second Amendment."
Even though Obama claims his plans would help law enforcement, there are members of law enforcement who are not in favor of the changes.
"I'm not in favor of any new legislation on gun control whosoever," said Desloge Police Chief James Bullock. "The current laws we have are satisfactory for both parties, for and against gun control. The only people who are going to benefit from further restrictions are the criminals. New restrictions would be a hindrance to law-abiding citizens. These changes will keep our citizens from being able to protect themselves sufficiently from the criminal population."
Dix pointed out that civilians don't own assault weapons because assault weapons are fully automatic.
"We have semi-automatic weapons," he said. "I think the government needs to clarify what it is referring to when it talks about he Assault Weapons Ban."
St. Francois County 911 Director Alan Wells teaches conceal and carry classes in St. Francois County. He said he started seeing increases in his class sizes beginning in September and October.
Wells said his class sizes range from 5-15 people. The class consists of four hours of classroom instruction and four hours of hands-on training. Topic that are covered include safety, safety in the home, when to use lethal force and where not to carry a firearm. The hands-on training includes shooting approximately 70 rounds, of which 20 rounds are used to qualify for the permit.
"There has definitely been an increase in the interest," he said. "I think it's spurred on by the unknown. It's a combination of politics and the state of the economy the way it is. I think there is a lot of concern with the way that gun laws are in Illinois. That is where Barack Obama is from. You cannot carry a concealed weapon in Illinois and there are a lot more restrictions on firearms and ammunition."
Wells agreed with Bullock and said by putting additional restrictions on firearms and ammunition all the government is doing is restricting people who have the right to defend themselves.
"People who use guns for shootings and crimes are using illegal guns," he said. "There is definitely a paranoia that exists right now. Whether it's warranted or not, I don't know. It seems like with the new administration coming in, there is a lot more interest and concern with people wanting to take advantage of this right they have."
St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock said in January and February of 2008 there were 33 conceal and carry permits issued in St. Francois County. During the same two months this year the number of permits issued has surged to 72. Since April of 2004 there have been 620 permits issued.
Rick Rapert, a retired St. Louis police officer and president of the 67 Gun Club, said people have good reason to be stocking up on firearms and ammunition.
"The government is going to put more restrictions on it," he said. "The Obama administration is going to have anti-gun legislators in Congress push legislation through. They are trying to pass legislation that says you can't reload ammo and that requires you to purchase micro-stamped ammunition. They are trying to backdoor us on our second amendment rights. People should be aware that (President) Obama is going to take our guns away."
Rapert said because of his experience in law enforcement, he knows thieves and people who commit crimes don't buy their guns at gun shops and they don't typically obtain their ammunition legally. He said the people that the new restrictions will affect are the recreational shooters who go to the gun range or the people who purchase guns for self defense.
"The government can't stop the drug trafficking coming from Mexico," he said. "If they can get drugs in, they can get weapons in. Our government is more concerned about the semi-automatic weapons that are legal here than the fully automatic weapons that are crossing the border into the United States from Mexico."
Chris Cline is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact him at 573-431-2010, ext. 114 or at [email protected].
Copyright © 2009 Daily Journal Online. All rights reserved.
http://www.dailyjournalonline....5ded22c464983556.txt
