Gun sales soaring

Gun sales soaring

Gun and ammunition sales are shooting up across the country, spurred by firearm enthusiasts' fears that once the new Democratic administration takes office, it will push stricter gun control legislation through the Democrat-dominated House and Senate.

Business owners say that more people are expressing concern that there will be more gun control laws enacted, along with an increase in tax on ammunition. Another reason sales are up is that some fear a sour economy will increase crime.

Although Florida does not keep records of gun sales, federal data show background checks needed to purchase a firearm are up sharply in the first nine months of this year. In Florida, concealed weapon permit applications in September jumped 52 percent compared with September 2007.

Further, 22,249 Floridians applied for a concealed weapon permit in September, a 52 percent increase from September 2007, according to the Division of Licensing in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

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 (Obama) will be able to stand up to that anti-Second Amendment wing of the Democratic party that's just been spoiling for a chance to ban America's guns," LaPierre said. During the campaign, the NRA warned that Obama would be the "most anti-gun 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.