I just went to my local gun store (southern Cali), yesterday to pick up my Sig 522. I witnessed the exact same thing that you described. The owner was in shock with all of the phone calls, a line out the door and no more AR-15 rifles in inventory. Many other firearms had sold out as well. The place was an absolute zoo...
I PRAY to GOD that the repubbies just ABSTAIN, VOTE PRESENT...get the hell out of the way and let Obama do whatever he wants....they are just making it worse with these deals...
The racks are empty of rifles.
I saw lots of pistols though.
Well that was 2 days ago.
Next 2-4 weeks are going to get even worse. I was up at 5:30am, scanning 10-12 websites for 5.56/.223 ammo, just to get a handle on it all, and 95% of it was “out of stock”. Some .223 avails, but only 55-60gr stuff. Not quite as bad for .308/7.62x51 ammo, but getting lower avails by the hour. FFLs tell me pipeline is empty, so mfgrs are ramping-up quickly before ban hits. Fortunately, I’ve been buying carefully and steadily since ‘02, so I’m mucho A-OK.