Gun Sales Boom After Election

[TC95GT]

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Gun sellers say the election of Barack Obama is helping them avoid the recession. Sales of new guns are booming - up an estimated 50 percent in the suburbs.

In Wednesday's Truth in Politics, CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports the gun lobby spent big trying to defeat Obama this year, outraged by his promise to reinstate a ban on military-style assault weapons. On talk radio, he was denounced as a "gun grabber." Now, as Obama heads to the White House, millions are rushing to reload.

Business has rarely been better for certified arms instructor Jan Gofron.

He's teaching a flood of new students about semi-automatic handguns as well as tactical shot guns some call "street sweepers."

The most powerful weapons are disappearing fastest from local gun shops. At Elmwood Park's Illinois Gun Works, sales started soaring as it became apparent Barack Obama would win the White House.

"Once people started to realize that the Democrats had a better chance, or seemed to have a better chance, they started getting nervous about certain gun regulations," said Illinois Gun Works' Owner Dan Mastrianni.

Recent gun sales are up nationally 42 percent. In Illinois, they are up 38 percent; and in Chicago's suburbs 50 percent.

"It's simply paranoia," said Thomas Mannard of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. "And it's irresponsible, from my point of view, to be touting how wonderful this is. More guns definitely equal more death."

Mannard worked with then-state Sen. Barack Obama to pass Illinois' ban on assault weapons. Obama also helped close a loophole that allowed gun shows to sell weapons without doing background checks on buyers. Mannard now hopes for a national law.

Gun dealers say the threat of new rules will keep their sales booming.

"I don't expect this to slow down anytime soon," Mastrianni said. "What happened during Prohibition? Whatever people can't have, that's what they want. They can't get enough of it."

Like many, Mastrianni does not believe gun issues are anywhere near top of the president-elect's political agenda. Senior Advisor David Axelrod declined to discuss what, if any, gun-related legislation the administration might propose, nor when. He noted they are busy picking people for top jobs.

http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/gun.sal ... 79513.html

[nyffman]

Like many, Mastrianni does not believe gun issues are anywhere near top of the president-elect's political agenda. Senior Advisor David Axelrod declined to discuss what, if any, gun-related legislation the administration might propose, nor when. He noted they are busy picking people for top jobs.

Does it really matter whether "gun issues" are at the top of his list or anywhere else? By the way the article was worded, it sounds like the writer believes gun control is on Obama's agenda. Would anyone else say, with a straight face, that they're not on the list? Besides, I thought Congress passed the laws anyway? Considering the world of economic **** we're looking at, I expect attention will be elsewhere. For a little while anyway.

[R.E.T.]

Disarming the population is very high on George Soros list and he was probably Obamas biggest supporter.

[Srigs]

It has been helping my business. People always need new leather when they buy guns

I'm hoping that "The One" will have more important national business to attend to like bankrupting the country and destroying the dollar.

[compconsultant]

It has been helping my business. People always need new leather when they buy guns

I'm hoping that "The One" will have more important national business to attend to like bankrupting the country and destroying the dollar.

Most of that will be taken care of before he takes the oath.

[Tutmos]

The huge boom in gun sales after the election has got to driving them absolutely nuts. How dare those insolent citizens go against my will before I take office and can stop it!

[R.E.T.]

It has been helping my business. People always need new leather when they buy guns

I'm hoping that "The One" will have more important national business to attend to like bankrupting the country and destroying the dollar.

Most of that will be taken care of before he takes the oath.

Complements of the House and Senate.

[nyffman]

All this talk of increased guns sales is purely anecdotal. However, a couple of the evil ones have shown up in my safe recently. Let me do some more research and I'll get back to you.

[Pinnacle]

Yeah take my word for it

The Gun Market is NUTS right now.... Companies are back ordered tens of thousands of units.

[Molasses]

Thomas Mannard of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence worked with then-state Sen. Barack Obama to pass Illinois' ban on assault weapons. Obama also helped close a loophole that allowed gun shows to sell weapons without doing background checks on buyers.

"It's simply paranoia," said Mannard. "And it's irresponsible, from my point of view, to be touting how wonderful this is."

They seemed to have a couple of sentences switched around. Fixed it for ya.