Gun Sales Stay Strong | Video

Rene Thibault | 12/19/2012

Gun sales have stayed strong despite a weak economy here in the United States. But after the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the future of the gun industry is unknown.

The parking lot was overflowing at the Sportsman`s Loft Gun shop today. And that`s been the trend the for a few days now.

“The last couple of days has just been insane. There`s been a lot of people coming in. If you look around at our walls here, its pretty much empty”, said Clay Prose, an employee at the shop.

Only days after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown Connecticut, gun enthusiasts came out in force, emptying shelves, buying new firearms, ammunition and accessories. But this didn`t come out of the blue.

“Anytime tragedies like these happen, there is a big rush because buyers know it`s going to be kind of an issue when it comes to the politics. They`re going to have talks about it. What happened? What could we have done to prevent this kind of thing? And when you talk about that, you talk about gun restrictions and gun laws,” added Prose.

The weapon being snapped up the most, the AR-15 type Assault Rifle, the one used in the Newtown shootings. It’s been selling because it’s the rifle that’s floating around the rumor mill. They want it because many know there could be a possibility in the future that they may not be able to get it.

Earlier today President Obama announced the creation of a new task force in charge of recommendations on how to reduce gun violence. One idea includes re-instating a previous ban on high capacity magazines; and requiring even more detailed back ground checks.

But gun retailers say they`re okay with that. “I think the gun industry will always form to what the government allows them to do. It`s not going anywhere, this is America, we are a gun country. The gun industry is going no where. The gun industry will form to whatever the government decides is necessary,” said Prose.

Sportsman`s Loft employees say they have already sold most of their stock of firearms.

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