Fearful of ban, frenzied buyers swarm gun stores

In this Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 file photo, Clerk Lance McCoy, right, shows a variety of weapons including an AR-15 style semi-automatic at Kizer Guns and Ammo near Nacogdoches, Texas. / AP Photo/The Daily Sentinel, File, Andrew D. Brosig

NEW YORK The phones at Red's Trading Post wouldn't stop ringing. Would-be customers from as far away as New York wanted to know if the Twin Falls, Idaho gun shop had firearms in stock. Others clamored to find out if their orders had been shipped.

Overwhelmed, gun store manager Ryan Horsley had to do what no employee would ever think of doing just days before Christmas: He disconnected the phone lines for three whole days.

"We had to shut everything off," says Horsley, whose family has owned Red's Trading Post, the state's oldest gun shop, since 1936. "We were swamped in the store and online."

The phones at gun shops across the country are ringing off the hook. Demand for firearms, ammunition and bulletproof gear has surged since the Dec. 14 massacre in Newtown, Conn., that took the lives of 20 schoolchildren and six teachers and administrators. The shooting sparked calls for tighter gun control measures, especially for military-style assault weapons like the ones used in Newtown and in the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting earlier this year. The prospect of a possible weapons ban has sent gun enthusiasts into a panic and sparked a frenzy of buying at stores and gun dealers nationwide.

Assault rifles are sold out across the country. Rounds of .223 bullets, like those used in the AR-15 type Bushmaster rifle used in Newtown, are scarce. Stores are struggling to restock their shelves. Gun and ammunition makers are telling retailers they will have to wait months to get more.

Store owners who have been in the business for years say they have never seen demand like this before.

When asked how much sales have increased in the past few weeks, Horsley just laughed.

"We haven't even had a chance to look at it," he says. Horsley spends his days calling manufacturers around the country trying to buy more items for the store. Mainly, they tell him he has to wait.

Franklin Armory, a firearm maker in Morgan Hill, Calif., is telling dealers that it will take six months to fulfill their orders. The company plans to hire more workers and buy more machines to catch up, says Franklin Armory's President Jay Jacobson.

The shortage is leaving many would-be gun owners empty handed.

William Kotis went to a gun show in Winston-Salem, N.C., last weekend hoping to buy a rifle for target shooting. Almost everything was sold out.

"Assault rifles were selling like crazy," says Kotis, who is president and CEO of Kotis Holdings, a real estate development company based in Greensboro. "People are stockpiling."

He left without buying anything.

Luke Orlando's parents were able to get him the 12-gauge shotgun he wanted for Christmas to bird hunt, but his uncle wasn't as lucky.

"At Christmas dinner, my uncle expressed outrage that after waiting six months to use his Christmas bonus to purchase an AR-15, they are sold out and back ordered over a year," says Orlando, 18, a student at the University of Texas.

No organization publicly releases gun sales data. The only way to measure demand is by the number of background checks that are conducted when someone wants to buy a firearm. Those numbers are released by the Federal Reserve Bureau every month. Data for December is not out yet. But the Federal Bureau of Investigation says that it did 16.8 million firearm background checks as of the end of November, up more than 2 percent from a year ago.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which handles background checks for the state, can't keep up with the number of requests it is getting. The bureau has pulled staff from other units and increased its hours, says spokesperson Susan Medina.

Many firearm dealers and manufacturers say that Obama's comments since the Newtown school shooting are driving demand.

James Zimmerman of SelwayArmory.com, a website that sells guns, ammunition and knives, says that sales really took off on Dec. 19 after President Barack Obama held a White House press conference announcing that Vice President Joe Biden would lead a team tasked with coming up with "concrete proposals" to curb gun violence.

That day, one customer ordered 32,000 rounds of ammunition from SelwayArmory.com, worth close to $18,000. The order had to be shipped from the company's Lolo, Mont., office to Kentucky on a freight truck.

"I've done more sales in the week after the 19th than I have the whole year," says Zimmerman, who launched SelwayArmory.com in 2009.

At Lady Liberty Gunsmithing LLC in Atlantic City, N.J., a customer called last week asking if a pistol he wanted was available. When he was told there was only one left, he drove more than two hours from Newark, N.J., to buy it that same day.

"People want guns now even more than ever," says Guy Petinga II, whose father opened the store above his home in 1996.

Others saw demand immediately after the shooting.

Bullet Blocker, which makes bulletproof vests, briefcases and insert panels, saw sales of its children's backpacks suddenly jump.

"That's how I found out about the tragedy. I saw the sales rise and then turned on CNN," says Elmar Uy, vice president of business operations at the Billerica, Mass., company.

Bullet Blocker has sold about 50 to 100 bulletproof backpacks a day since the shooting, up from about 10 to 15 in a regular week. The children's backpacks, which are designed to be used as shields, cost over $200 each.

"I've never seen numbers like this before," says Uy.

[XxPatrioTxX]

You liberals scare me. Even the Republicans that say ban 100 round magazines etc..etc.. I have owned many firearms for many years and so have millions of others with regular capacity magazines and we never shot anyone. The guys that do this are Criminals which means if they have to steal a car and drive into a group of people or make a bomb or go to a posted GUN FREE ZONE to kill someone they will. They do not follow the law! If 5 neighborhood thugs decide to break into my home im grabbing my SEMI- Automatic (one shot, one trigger pull) racking it and if they are even still there after hearing that sound they are getting shot! It happens, It happens all the time all over the USA and these criminals that would kick in my door have been in prison many times usually or have a minor with them teaching their evil ways to. Blame the court systems not the Law Abiding Citizen that protects himself. Blame the Judges that let these repeat offnders out of prison. Many of these are sexual predators with Violent histories of Rape, but let them here that RACKING of the AK47 and most likely they will either run and no shot will be fired or maybe 1-2 and 1-2 rapists and thieves will be taken off this planet and thats 1-2 less we have to worry about next time. Or 1-2 less you have to worry about. If I was carrying Concealed and a Gunman pulled his gun in a Convience store and you were right by him and I was able to pull my weapon without him seeing me and take a shot he would be killed and most of you guys would be glad that I saved your butt. Just because we own these weapons for self defence, sporting purposes or hunting does not mean we will go on a shooting rampage. Most children who are raised with respect of guns and taught how to shoot are more responsible than most adults. There are many kids as young as 10-12 years old that can shoot a running course better than I can and others that I know. The real problem today is in the inner cities and most of these children are the same ones whose mothers and fathers are on welfare. Look at Chicago for example. Thesame people getting Government assistance and have no responsibility are the same ones killing each other sometimes 10-12 a day! These are the same people who are yelling in our restaurants and their children put their hands in the salad bar, sam kids who don't get spankings, don't even know how to spell, say thank you, or respect their elders. The moment a person takes a fiearm that is not theirs they have broken the law. Sure I think if you have children in your house your weapons should be secure and a responsible parent should also be around to monitor their children. I also believe that Americans need to teach their children howto be polite, responsible adults that have morals and values but, until you guys decide to do that and yes I say YOU because it starts with YOU, we will always have these thugs with their pants around their ankles who are shooting atit other for stupid reasons. Everything from spilled drinks at the club, to a girl friend etc.. Tese children are not taught responsibly and have absolutely no manners and thats the parents fault not a Gun ownes parents fault. If you think the police can be there to protect you you are seriously wrong. When Seconds Count the Police are just Minutes away!! Average 15 minutes! How long do the women say a quickie is? Under 15 mins.. that means he has time to rapeyou and maybe your children and kill you and get away in time. Not at my house he has time to come in and get shot!! My .38 is right beside me that'll get me to the bedroom where the Glock and AK47 sit. If it even Comes to that in many cases they run or even turn the gun on themselves because the people that do this are as alot have said "CRAZIES". They will get whatever weapon they want because of that same reason. While you may choose be be a disarmed Victim I choose to be able to fight back. I don't have time to run home and get my gun if someone goes on a shooting spree at walmart or anywhere else instead it will be on my side.

[CT_Eagle]

@Either you've watched too much tv/movies or else your imagination is out of control. Take your pick, you_may_be_right.

Maybe YOU need to look outside your little bubble...

Just a few of the MANY home invasions this month in my CT home area.

Police say there's a lesson to be learned from a home invasion in Pawtucket in which three armed and masked men stole more than $4,000 in cash.

http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Pawtucket-home-invasion-occurs-after-check-cashed-4151389.php


SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Five people, three of them teenagers, have been charged in a home invasion that left five people injured, including two with serious stab wounds.

http://www.ctpost.com/news/crime/article/Police-say-5-stabbed-in-attack-at-South-Bend-home-4151375.php

Police Investigate Home Invasion in Avon
Three people were in the house when two males wearing all black and masks forced their way in, ordered everyone to the ground at gunpoint and demanded money, police said.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Police-Investigate-Home-Invasion-in-Avon-184119341.html



Former Deep River Resident Killed in Home Invasion

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Former-Deep-River-Resident-Killed-in-Home-Invasion-183084571.html


Felon Charged with Norwalk Home Invasion
Victim said she cowered on the floor, begging two assailants to not shoot her or her children, police said.

http://norwalk.patch.com/articles/convicted-felon-accused-of-participating-in-home-invasion


HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Two people are recovering this morning after being shot during a home invasion in Hartford.

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/crime/two-shot-in-hartford-home-invasion


Police Investigating Mansfield Home Invasion, Attempted Armed Robbery

http://mansfield.patch.com/articles/police-investigating-mansfield-home-invasion-attempted-armed-robbery


Police Charge Suspect in South Windsor Home Invasion, Sex Assault

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Police-Charge-Suspect-in-South-Windsor-Home-Invasion-Sex-Assault-182167511.html


$10,000 Reward Offered in Glastonbury Home Invasion

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Glastonbury-Home-Invasion-Reward-Offered-182235781.html


Oxford Men Charged With Home Invasion
Incident occurred Monday when suspects "forcefully took cash" from the victim.

http://oxford-ct.patch.com/articles/oxford-men-charged-with-home-invasion

[foo8259]

A pump shotgun is the best 'assault weapon' that's why the police carry em and we sometimes used them in Nam against the enemies AK's in a firefight. Shotgun slings can carry 55 rounds for quick hand feeding.

[Stopfmg]

The gun manufacturers sure know how to increase their business!

[saturn05]

I think there is something mentally wrong with the gun crazies. It is like a fetish or something. Get real, no one wants to ban all guns and all ammo. But there is nothing wrong with banning assault-style weapons. Who in the world needs an assualt gun unless you plan to kill as many people as quickly as possible. I want mandatory gun training and gun safes and gun locks. Guns are only for killing, so why can't we have tough laws to protect us normal people from the crazies.

[skeezix06]

Either you've watched too much tv/movies or else your imagination is out of control. Take your pick, you_may_be_right.

[NymRod2]

Why do you consider yourself normal and those who want to protect themselves as crazy?

I think you have it backwards.

I think there is something mentally wrong with those who do not own a gun for self protection.

It is the mentally ill liberals such as yourself that is the problem with America today.
Liberalism is a mental disorder from which YOU suffer. Seek help ASAP.

[mandiegracetaylor]

There are two sad principles that will now be lived out in America - and we won't avoid it - first of all, the people who are running on the gun stores have the same mentality of the people running on the Twinkie aisle last month - the same reasoning, the same drive, hoping for the same outcome.

Secondly, when a nut gets out of his car locking and loading - people running through the streets are laying prostrate under cars and houses begging Jesus - the Lord Himself - to please get the one neighbor within ten miles out on the porch locking and loading - because the cops just are not going to be fast enough -

Ironically, the gun hoarders get what they want - either high powered guns in relation to others who now never have them - or a fast few grand selling them.


And the murdering culture - with a 15 min of fame wannabee - will not be alleviated - they will get something somewhere to do the deed - and will go down in history with all the other serial killers -

The problem is just too complex - too complex - and honestly right now - I don't want to have the burden of maintaining a fire arm - I want my Vietnam Veteran neighbor to do it for me - and if something goes down on my street - I want him to come running out of his house confronting the nut.

People want everything both ways - and scream there is a way - but we just can't have it both ways -

In the wake of 20 little 6 years laying in pools of blood - we think we can have it both ways -

Then another nut - does the Al Queada manuever - they spend all the days and nights thinking how they will outsmart law enforcement and go down on all news stations killing people - and there will not be one person in miles who can return fire -

We just have a hard road to haul - most nations in the world have nukes and a red button and we are left praying to God to keep the nuts' fingers off the button - but we can't get rid of the red button or the nut - we wish to God we could - and we just can't.

[Rick03466]

This sad little group who choose to blame an object for the actions of its operators, are disgusting. They chronically unable to accept responsibility for themselves and won't face reality. Those of us who enjoy firearms as a hobby would in all likelihood give them up in heartbeat if it had any potential for helping but as noted by former FBI Director and one of the most anti gun judges to ever sit on the federal bench Louis Freeh "The assault weapons ban is one of the most worthless pieces of legislation ever passed!" All mr. Obama's public posturing has done is sell AR15's. as Reported by CBS Brownell's sold more AR15s int 3 days then they did in the past 3 1/2 years. Recently I stood in local sporting good store, watching a guy who pulled into the lot with a care littered with Obama stickers come into the shop, stand complain because he could not get an AR15 even offering to pay what amounted to paying 100% over full retail. It is time to stop the nonsense of gun free zones provide appropriate security for our children! (Mr. Obama when your children go to school with out armed guards it will be ok for my grandchildren too)

[skeezix06]

Do you really think your grandkids should get Secret Service protection?

[michaelamsterdam]

There's nothing like the massacre of school children to stimulate gun sales...especially when so nicely timed right before Christmas!

America's passion for ever more powerful and deadly weapons is both pathetic and predictable...as well as commercially EXPLOITABLE...by those who don't mind a little 7 year-old blood!

It's disheartening and downright nausiating to hear abject cowards bellowing about their 2nd Amendment "rights" while threatening armed violence against any who propose limitations being placed on them

"Law abiding citizens" my ass!

[skeezix06]

Actually, it's been sort of frightening to see how many terrified and paranoid people, who think they need a gun to survive, who are living among us. They're probably shouldn't be allowed to own or handle a gun for public safety reasons.

[skeezix06]

Paranoia is always frightening.

I guess you forgot Bush II's Patriot Act which began the intrusion into privacy of Americans. Amnesia much?

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

"Assault rifles were selling like crazy," says Kotis
---
Who needs assault weapons unless you are planning an assault?