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Concerns Over Legislation Leading To Run On AR-15 Rifles

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Because the President and lawmakers on Capitol Hill are talking about new gun control laws,  there is now a run on semi-automatic rifles here in North Texas.

Long-time gun owners say they're growing more concerned Congress is going to strengthen gun control laws.

Garland's Target Master Indoor Shooting Center says they can't keep semi-automatic rifles in stock.

A steady stream of customers has flocked to the store ever since the Connecticut elementary school shooting last Friday.

People are buying-up the semi-automatic rifles similar to the one the shooter used, an AR-15.

The store's owner says many people are calling the store because others have run out, and now her inventory is dwindling.

"I had a completely full rack of  A-R 15's both top to bottom through this window, through that window and now, I think I'm down to 13 weapons. I believe we had 75 on Friday," said Target Master owner Martha Constant.

Customers say they're buying up semi-automatic rifles now just in case they soon won't be allowed to.

Customer Butch Carter says he too worries about any new gun control legislation that might pass in Congress.  "I'm afraid it's going to get to the point where just being in your home trying to be safe and minding your own business is not going to be safe enough."

Constant says the phones are ringing off the hook.  "Everyone's buying them in panic purchases," says Constant.

Julian Quiros says he's worried a new gun control law would take away his right to defend himself. "I'm definitely concerned about my safety.  We should have the right to defend ourselves."

Constant says it's been taking longer to get through to the FBI's national center to do a background check on customers.  "If you actually get into the system, you're on hold for about ten minutes to talk to a NICS agent to do a background check because there are so many calls right now."

The FBI declined comment on how busy they've been.

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