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Locals scramble to get their guns
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Published: January 3, 2009
MORGANTON - Rumors that gun sales are surging since Barack Obama was elected president seem to hold true for Burke County as local gun dealers report increased sales.
Both Smokefoot Trade and Loan, 108 N. Sterling St., and Burkemont Trade and Pawn, 131 Burkemont Ave., reported increased gun sales recently.
Doyle Cook, manager at Burkemont Trade and Pawn, attributes it to the faltering economy. He was hesitant to speculate that the increased sales were due to Obama's election.
"I'm sure there are some concerns that the next administration may enact some changes," Cook said.
Pete Nelson, owner of Smokefoot Trade and Loan, said the majority of his customers lately have expressed concern about what will happen to their Second Amendment rights once Obama takes office.
"People believe that the new administration coming in may be looking to ban or put heavy restrictions on guns," Nelson said.
Data from the Burke County Sheriff's Office shows that although applications for gun permits were up for November and December 2008, the ratio of total permits issued remained similar to the previous year.
In November and December 2008, the sheriff's office received 249 applications and issued 440 permits (a person may apply for more than one).
The sheriff's office issued a total of 281 permits to 158 applicants in November and December 2007.
During the campaign season, Obama said he respects Americans' Second Amendment right to bear arms, but he favors "common sense" gun laws.
Gun owners might interpret this to mean that Obama may reenact the assault gun ban or at least place restrictions on owning assault and concealed weapons.
Nelson said these restrictions may include high capacity magazines. As a result, people have been coming in looking for high-capacity handguns.
Gun owners have told Nelson that in addition to restrictions they think Obama will increase taxes on ammunition and handguns.
"What people are telling me is that they think handguns that are $300 today may be $1,000 or more next year," Nelson said.
With a global economic crisis and two wars, it is unclear whether Obama will make gun control a high priority issue in his first months as president.
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