Local gun stores see a sharp increase in sales after election

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Story Published: Nov 16, 2008 at 6:49 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 18, 2008 at 4:00 PM MDT

By Hasti Taghi

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IDAHO FALLS - "Sales just spiked through the roof," says C-A-L Ranch Store assistant manager Reese Clawson.

Less than two weeks after Senator Barrack Obama was elected President, gun sales are on the rise. The CAL-Ranch stores in Idaho Falls estimate a more than a 30 percent increase in sales since election day. The request for background checks to sell guns have at least doubled.

"People are really worried about what President Obama will do as far as banning guns," says Clawson.

These guns are flying off the shelves and their places remain empty because companies nationwide are selling out.

"You can own as many guns as you want in Idaho," says shooting instructor, Jerry Sinkovec.

But Sinkovec thinks that could change when President-elect Obama takes office. A former Chicago resident, he has seen the results of strict gun regulations. Now, a sharp-shooting instructor in Idaho Falls, Sinkovec feels gun regulations would mean a restriction of his rights. A sentiment shared by gun owner Kenneth Gordon.

"If you can diminish or weaken one of our rights, the others are subject to change as well," says Gordon.

For now, stores like CAL ranch are reaping the profits of people contemplating what an Obama Presidency will mean for their right to bare arms.

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