Economy, presidential election shoot gun sales up

Tampa, Florida - As consumers cut back on expenses during this tough economy, one item is seeing a boost in sales.

Shooting Sports in Tampa has seen a slight increase in gun sales as more supporters of the Second Amendment exercise their right to bear arms.

Fritz Casper, the store's range officer, says customers have two concerns: one is personal safety during a bad economy. "Home defense, personal defense are a concern. A lot of customers refer to events like Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath and the concern for their safety in a situation just as disastrous as a result of the economy," says Casper.

He recommends a 12-gauge shot gun. "This is a very popular home defense firearm."

Some customers prefer something smaller, such as a revolver. Casper says the .45 caliber pistol is popular too. "The idea is they don't want a shot gun, but want something large and lethal."

Casper says his customers also worry about the outcome of the presidential election. He says an Obama presidency and Democratic Congress would mean tighter gun control. "That will cause a limitation on people's rights to own guns, to own specific firearms and specific ammunition," says Casper.

The semi-automatic rifles are commonly used for hunting and target practice and were once banned under the Clinton administration. That law lapsed under President Bush, but many worry semi-automatic rifles will once again be seen as assault rifles and be banned again under Obama.

Fred Meyer owns a semi-automatic and a pistol. He sees guns as a necessity. "It's all about the right to protect yourself, first and foremost."

Meyer doesn't see a ban on firearms happening, but welcomes making them safer. "The more restraints to keep people from buying guns when they're hot headed, I'm all for it."

Buying a gun requires the buyer wait three days while a background check is done. The cost for a gun ranges between $300 and $1,000.

Casper explains Florida is seen as a "shall-use" state. If one clears the background check, they can buy a gun. According to a Reuters report published last year from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Florida ranks 2^nd as a top supplier of crime guns to other states. Georgia ranked first with 2,631 crime guns traced from other states to dealers in Georgia; Florida ranked second with 2,328 crime guns and Texas came in third with 2,281 crime guns.

The three states with the least crime guns traced back to in-state gun dealers are New Jersey ranked #48 with 35 crime guns, Rhode Island came in at 49^th with 12 crime guns and Hawaii had the least with zero cases.