Mad rush

Gun sales locally have increased 15 to 20 percent in the past six months. Why? Dennis Foglesong, manager of The Pier in Creston, said gun buyers tell him they're "stocking up" on guns and ammunition because President Barack Obama was re-elected to a second term.

Foglesong said gun buyers are concerned Obama will push new, more strict gun regulations over the next four years.

"People are scared," Foglesong said. "They think the government is going to take their guns away so they are stocking up on everything — ammo, handguns and other firearms. It's almost as bad as when he was first elected in 2008."

Before taking office, Obama said he respected the constitutional right to bear arms. But, after more than three dozen Chicago children were killed in 2007, he also said he wanted to restore the ban on assault weapons.

Those remarks fed a growing suspicion Obama would take all guns away from citizens. Those suspicions prompted a mad rush of gun sales that cleared out stores after Obama's election in 2008.

Brad Wendt, owner of BW Outfitters in Anita, said a second mad rush is happening now that Obama has been re-elected to a second term.

Wendt is selling so many guns he's had to increase hours at his business. He's open six days a week now instead of four. Wendt said in a normal month he only does about $200,000 in total sales.

Last month he cleared $550,000 in total sales — his best month ever.

"The election created fear in people," Wendt said. "There is fear out there they will not be able to get guns and fear their ammo will soon be taxed. So, they are buying, and buying a lot of guns."

Wendt has more than 1,400 guns in stock currently and said he's getting in 100 to 200 guns per week just to keep fully stocked. In November, shortly after Obama was elected, Wendt sold more than 300 guns in one week.

Wendt said the most popular guns being purchased right now are "black rifles" like AR or AK styles.