Gun Sales | Video

Alex Hagan | 1/17/2013

President Obama`s new executive orders calling for restricting semi-automatic rifles and high capacity magazines has had the opposite effect. The talk of gun control has caused a spike in gun sales across the country. Talk of banning semi-automatic weapons has guns flying off the shelves. However, now sales may start to decline.

Gun owners in North Dakota don`t know how much longer certain firearms and magazines will be on the shelf. Customers are racing to gun stores to stock up on different gun products.

"Here lately, they`re maybe three, four in front of you waiting to buy something or get something and get ready to leave," said gun owner Clay Starck.

Mandan Sporting Goods employees have had customers come from all over the state looking for controversial weapons, such as semi-automatic rifles and ammunition. "In the last month, there`s been a lot of new people coming from all over. Williston, Minot all over the place," said owner Brandon Charvat.

Jamie Brecht is the co-chairman for the NRA in Burleigh County. While he may not agree with stricter gun laws, he has already been able to sell some of his AR-15 weapons. "I`ve sold a couple rifles to friends of mine. They we`re used rifles, but I made a profit on them."

Despite the recent spike in gun sales, Mandan Sporting Goods employees say their inventory is starting to get low. ".223 is really, really tough to get. I don`t have but maybe four boxes left to sell," Charvat said.

Charvat says he`s worried about the future of his business. Products such as AR-15 weapons and high capacity magazines are non-existent in his store. Those particular items are the most popular for customers. "If I can hopefully still get product in and we take it a day at a time, I guess just to see what I can get in."

But until more product comes in for stores....

"Get on a list and wait. It`s going to be a while," Brecht said.

If it`s a semi-automatic weapon you desire, that wait could be a long one.

Charvat says he has a backorder list with up to 150 people who are waiting for product that the store can`t get in.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO BISMARCK STORIES