Tulsa Gun Store: Sales Spike Due To Talk Of Stricter Legislation

At Tulsa Firearms, the shelves have just about been emptied by talk of more gun control.

Tuesday, January 15th 2013, 5:31 pm

By: Craig Day


President Barack Obama is weighing a number of gun control measures this evening he says could better protect Americans.

President Obama wants Congress to ban the sale of high capacity ammunition magazines and apply criminal and mental health background checks to firearms sold privately and at gun shows.

Other likely Biden proposals include: Billions more in funding for the background check database; increased prison sentences for gun trafficking; new federal research into gun crimes; and more information on labels of violent video games.

Some of the measures being considered include more aggressive enforcement of existing gun laws, tougher penalties for gun trafficking, and stricter actions against those who lie on gun sale background checks.

But many gun owners in Oklahoma are worried about the proposed gun control measures. They said they fear the President will incrementally destroy the ability to own or use guns, whether it's for recreation or protection.

At Tulsa Firearms, the shelves have just about been emptied by talk of more gun control.

"People are very worried. They're afraid they're not going to be able to get certain guns or any guns, period. And so they're buying up just about everything they can get," said Curtis Leos, of Tulsa Firearms.

Leos said many customers are buying guns for the first time.

"[A] very common comment when they come through the door is, ‘I don't know anything about guns, I've never owned a gun before, but I'm afraid I won't be able to get one, I would like to learn,'" Leos said.

Gun control supporters say the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was a wake up call and stricter measures are needed.

12/15/2012 Related Story: Authorities Release Victims' Names In Connecticut School Shooting

As for the rush in many parts of the country to buy firearms Congress may ban, President Obama blamed fears of government overreach.

"Part of the challenge that, you know, we confront is that even the slightest hint of some sensible, responsible legislation in this area fans this notion that, somehow, here it comes, and that everybody's guns are going to be taken away," President Obama said at a press conference Monday.

Some gun owners fear constitutionally protected gun rights are being eroded.

"I'm scared to death of Obama and the way he runs our country," said gun owner Jeff Means. "I'm scared, and I want to make sure I'm protected from the people that can get their hands on things, because if they tell me I can't, there are people out there who can."

Instead of stricter gun control measures, gun owners like Jeff Means would prefer other options, like more mental health funding and oversight of violent video games.

"Parents need to be more involved with their kids and have a clue what's going on in their minds," Means said.

Many gun owners also fear the measures will drive up the cost of guns and ammunition, making it much harder to own them.

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