Assault weapon sales spike before election

WFAA-TV ^ | October 28, 2008 | Jason Whitely and Cynthia Izaguirre

[2ndDivisionVet]

GARLAND – With nine days left until the election, people aren't only lining up to vote early; they are also apparently heading to sporting goods stores and gun shops as owners have reported an increase in business.

Gun owners have expressed concern that Barack Obama, if elected, will not only renew the ban on assault weapons, but also make it permanent.

"Not that people are fear-buying,” said John Mannewitz, a manager at Target Master. “But, if there's something cool you want to get, people are saying sooner is better than later."

Target Master, a gun store in Garland, used to sell a couple of assault weapons, such as AR15s and AK47s, every week. But now, a little more than a week away from the election, sales have tripled.

"I had a customer today who came in and bought an AR15,” Mannewitz said. “He said he had always wanted one and he was afraid if Obama got elected there wouldn't be anymore."

At least ten other gun stores in North Texas, contacted by News 8, have reported a recent spike on sales of assault weapons.

In a 2004 debate, Sen. Obama said he thought President Bush made a mistake by letting the ban on assault weapons expire. Still, Obama said he does support the Second Amendment.

"But just because you have an individual right does not mean that the state or local government can’t constrain the exercise of that right," Obama said in a debate with Hillary Clinton this year.

"If Obama is going to be elected as the next president, everyone knows that gun prices are going to go up,” said Simon Safir, a customer. “They're going to skyrocket.”

Safir said he is looking for an AR15, which is the biggest seller among assault weapons at Target Master. They cost anywhere from $800 to $1,200.

Mannewitz said two types of people are buying assault weapons right now, including those like Safir who just really want one. He said there are also buyers looking to invest on the chance they are banned, which would mean the rifles will rise in value and could fetch quite a profit.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Of course they didn't mention the self-defense or possible rioting aspects.

[television is just wrong]

of course not. I’m stocking food in so that I might be able to be safe at home.

[freeplancer]

I’m still trying to figure out what an “assault” weapon is.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It is a term invented by politicians to scare people.

[taildragger]

I’m still trying to figure out what an “assault” weapon is.

Any weapon that Chuckie Schumer holds that makes him feel butch....

[Red Steel]

Obama win this guns sales will go through the roof. I always wanted an AR-10 Obama may force my hand.

[Lurker]

"But just because you have an individual right does not mean that the state or local government can’t constrain the exercise of that right," Obama said in a debate

Actually that's exactly what it means you idiot.

Unless of course, Senator, you mean to say that the State of Alabama was doing nothing wrong in denying the vote to blacks all those years ago.....

L

[TV Dinners]

buying a few boxes of 12 gauge buck shot myself, tomorrow

[Newtoidaho]

Would Obama’s mouth qualify? His voice certainly hurts my ears.

[realcleanguy]

No, by sissy liberals from San Francisco that parade around as drag queens

[Steely Tom]

Someone may be reading my tagline.

[Afisra]

Any weapon that can be used in an assault. Hide the steak knives. They can be used in assaults as well.

[freeplancer]

“Any weapon that Chuckie Schumer holds that makes him feel butch”

Now that is rich. What a tool!?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Ditto. I've been looking for a couple of nasty faced rifles and will sell off some of my exotics to finance them.
Anyone want a .50 cal air rifle ?

[Red Steel]

I’m still trying to figure out what an “assault” weapon is.

Because to them it sound really bad to their ears.

An "assault rifle" is named so because it has a 'selective fire' switch, which can be set to automatic from semi-auto.

Furthermore, an assault rifle has power and range of a regular rifle with the fire power of a submachine gun.

[thefactor]

last week i bought a Binelli NOVA 5-shot pump. wish i could afford an AR right now. but if november 4th goes the way i fear it might, i think i just might scrounge up the money.

[redstateconfidential]

Try this >.50

[Infidel Puppy]

Any weapon with which you can thwart the will of the government is an "assault weapon".
They are usually all black and partially plastic:
They are often seen helping to free slave pens:

and preventing them:

[JoJo Gunn]

Of course they didn't mention the self-defense or possible rioting aspects.

I noticed that as well, but we can't expect the Media, in no uncertain terms in the tank for Obama, to in the slightest mention his being a thieving Communist.

"Spread the wealth around", my butt. 

[Petruchio]

In addition to home/self defense weapons, I suggest you strongly think about getting a police scanner. In an unsettled urban environment where rioting is possible all intel is valuable.