Posted on 11/11/2008 10:05:46 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Pennsylvanians are "clinging to their guns" more tightly since the election of Barack Obama. Gun and ammunition sales are way up according to local dealers.
"We absolutely have seen an increase. We've more than doubled our normal sales of guns and ammunition," said Jere Dunkelberger, owner of Dunkelberger's Sports Outfitter in Stroudsburg. He says the emphasis is on home and self-protection weapons.
Dunkelberger noticed gun sales shot up about four days before the election. "Election day it cooled off a little bit. Since then, we've been very busy," he said.
Same thing in Brodheadsville, where American Sport Shooting owner Richard Flynn has seen an 80 percent increase of gun sales starting a week before the election. "People are stockpiling ammunition too," Flynn said.
And it goes beyond Pennsylvania. "We have seen the same anecdotal evidence across the country. This trend began in the weeks leading up to the election," said National Rifle Association spokesperson Ashley Varner.
The rush to arms is based on fear of restrictions an Obama's administration may put on gun ownership, plus taxes that could be placed on ammunition.
"The other thing that has people concerned is talk of a civilian security force equally funded as the military. Run by him, I guess. We see that as the Gestapo," Flynn said.
In a July 2 speech, Obama told a crowd, "We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded." With an Obama White House on the horizon, some are reacting to campaign speeches like that by purchasing guns.
"The Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting. It is about being able to protect ourselves against a government gone bad, which is what we have now," Flynn said. "When a president wants to set up his own national army, that alarms people."
Those worried about restrictions to the Second Amendment often refer to a 1999 article in the Chicago Defender newspaper that lists a host of gun restrictions Obama said he was in favor of and says, "Obama is also seeking to increase the federal taxes by 500 percent on the sale of firearm, ammunition — weapons he says are most commonly used in firearm deaths." At time, Obama did not have the power to make such a move.
"It is fair to say, when looking at Obama's record in Illinois and the U.S. Senate, he has a history of supporting increased gun control measures," said Varner of the NRA.
Varner said that an increase in gun sales has been seen at other times when officials supporting stricter gun laws have been voted into office.
"Most of us in the industry feel that he is going to cripple the gun industry. This is a bad precedent for us. We're not very happy," Flynn said.
Gun control advocates say a little restriction would make the streets safer and would be harmless to gun enthusiasts.
"Let's look to Hurricane Katrina. Government agents were going door to door, beating on doors, asking if they had guns, and taking them away," said Varner. "It has happened in recent history. Let's not say it could never happen."
You betcha!
Yet the majority of them voted for him!
Exactly...what fools
The majority of them DID vote for ZerObama but with ACORN involved, we’re not exactly sure which faudulent votes pushed him over the top. Disappointing. Now they reap the whirlwind.
Same thing goes for Colorado.
Now, we have to cinch upo our britches and move on and do something about it.
IMHO, we all simply must write our GOP senators and urge them to stand.
While standing up in any way we can ourselves over these next four years until we can turn this OBAMANATION out.
Why are the papers covering this - a non-story and ignore how the Dow has tanked by the mere election of The One or at least that One?
How can the Quaker State vote en masse for a hostile black racist who embraces communism and terrorism in such a manner that would make Idi Amin blush if he were alive today?
Secondly, Yet the majority of them voted for him!
Exactly! I am still unable to process how PA went the way it did. Even after Obama's bankrupting the coal mine industry comments were revealed. And now this clinging and worry regarding guns? Either their was MAJOR fraud perpetrated and being allowed to just get another pass, or PA must have something in the water. I just do not see how these dots connect for an Obama win in this state!
People could always, in addition to whatever they’re doing now, head on over to http://change.gov/page/s/yourvision and give Obama a little advice.
bump!
I have no idea why they would do that... they voted for the guy.
Idiots.
Registered dums should not be allowed to purchase guns due to mental defect.
I think it’s safe to assume that these people were among those that did not vote for Obama. My rural county did not go for O and they like they’re hunting here.
(weapons he says are most commonly used in firearm deaths
Okay, it is late and if I am reading this statement right then..... DUH!!! What else would be used in firearm deaths?
And just like the other comments already posted... If they were so concerned then why did the majority vote for him?
Were they torn between freedom and supporting the unions?
“Even after Obama’s bankrupting the coal mine industry comments were revealed.”
it came too late. besides, mccain lost the debate by supporting cap and trade.
“I was amazed at the PA vote after the comments on guns, relgion, racism, rednecks, and coal.”
Yea, I’m adding the citizens of Pennsylvania into the same category as voters from California, Massachusetts, Michigan, etc. The list is getting too long.
Pennsylvanians can pound sand. They voted for Obama AND MURTHA!!! I am to the point that I have no use for these people in these states that voted for Obama, I don’t want to hear their whining.
I am so disgusted by Florida, we are changing our spring break and World Series plans for this year, we’re going to SC instead.
Huge gun show in Poconos this weekend at Split Rock Lodge. —Lake Harmony !!!
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