The rush to bear arms

By Kim Burgess, The Herald Journal

In the market for an AK-47? You might want to buy it now — before President-elect Barack Obama has a chance to tighten gun laws. That’s the thinking that is bringing hundreds of people to gun dealers nationwide, which can barely keep semi-automatic rifles on their shelves.

“There are some models, if we could get 50, we could sell them all in a week,” said Kris Larsen, owner of Al’s Sporting Goods in Logan. “There was one week we probably sold 25.”

Paul Lloyd, a salesman at Al’s, agreed that assault weapons are popular, noting that the store has run out of Colt AR-15s, which are similar to the M16s used by the military but are not fully automatic. Al’s does not carry any fully automatic weapons, which require a special permit to sell.

“If there is a ban reinstated, these would be the first thing to go,” Lloyd said, indicating a semi-automatic Ruger Mini-14, which costs about $1,000. “People say there is no reason to own these. There may not be, but there is a right to own them. I may not need an AK-47 in my house, but if I want to have it for recreational purposes, I have the right.”

Also popular at Al’s are handguns that hold more than 10 rounds, though Larsen said that all gun sales “have gone crazy.” He estimated that pistol sales have quadrupled, while rifle sales have tripled, as have ammo sales, particularly military-grade rounds.

Since the election, Al’s has sold a few hundred firearms a week, Lloyd said.

On Friday, Logan resident Callen Bagley stopped in the store to purchase a Springfield pistol for about $530. He also plans to sign up for a concealed firearms permit class.

“I know I can always get a gun; I’m a little more concerned about the permit,” Bagley said.

Dex Taylor, a local firearms instructor, says that demand for the permits has skyrocketed recently. Typically, he offers the CFP course once a month, but taught three classes during the past week, each with over 75 students.

“It is incredible,” he said. “There has definitely been an increase. ... If the market is asking for it, we’ll provide it.”

For his part, Larsen of Al’s Sporting Goods doesn’t think the trend has reached its peak.

“It’s fear of the future,” Larsen said. “Some people are buying them and putting them in their food storage. They’re putting [away] wheat and rice and .223 ammo.”