Gun Sales Surge Following Obama's Gun Control Proposal Announcement

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by Kirk Hawkins, Photjournalist Chris Keimig

Story Created: Jan 17, 2013 at 12:34 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 17, 2013 at 2:55 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Extreme measures at some local gun shops. They cleared the shelves of some assault weapons before President Obama's Gun Control Proposals were announced.
And then saw sales skyrocket, as much as 300% when they learned sales were allowed to continue.

The President wants Congresss to renew the ban on assault weapons, ban high capacity ammunition clips and require background checks for all gun buyers.  He also signed 23 executive orders. They include tougher penalties for people who lie on background checks, grant money to put more resource officers in schools, and tracking stolen guns and prosecuting people who use them.

"Yeah. We'll be back," said Wilkesboro Resident Linda Faw. She drove more than an hour to Charlotte to stock up on guns and ammunition that she worries will be banned by President Obama. "I think it's ridiculous. People will find ways to get the guns if they want them," said Faw. The Wilkesboro Resident fought off armed robbers in her home 18 years ago, and has owned
a gun ever since.

Since President Obama's announcement Wednesday, semi automatic military type rifles and
10 round magazines drove sales at gun shops across Charlotte. The Hyatt Gun Shop says it is selling four times as many firearms as it normally does. From about 25 gun sales a day last January. To around 100 gun sales a day this January. "Nothing like it ever in the amount of product purchased all over the country," said Hyatt Gun Shop owner Larry Hyatt.

Carolina Sporting Arms has seen a similar trend, what managers call panic buying. So far, they've also already sold out of assault weapons.

In the meantime, Linda Faw says she's one victim who vows to never be victimized again.
"I truly think that the guns aren't the issue. I think that it's the people itself," Faw said. The perspective of one person who plans to pay close attention to what's next in the gun control
debate.

We also talked to the founder of Protest Easy Guns. Abigail Spangler says she supports tougher
background background checks. The former Charlotte resident hopes President Obama's plan closes loopholes in online and gun show sales.

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