
Steve Helber/AP
Obama’s Election Boosts Gun Sales
Concerns that a Democrat-controlled Congress may enact restrictions on gun sales spurs a surge in gun purchases.
Obama’s Election Spurs Firearm Sales
President-elect Barack Obama has inspired a surge in firearm purchases over the last month as many citizens fear strengthened gun control policies and ownership restrictions.
Firearm sales have increased from 10 to 30 percent in Florida since October, according to a News Channel 8 WFLA special report. Gun store owner Doug Jackson told the network that the spike in sales was not unique to Obama’s election: anytime a Democrat is elected a fear of stronger gun restrictions causes a surge in sales, Jackson explained.
David Greenberg, owner of the Second Amendment Family Gun Shop in Bisbee, Ariz., sold out of AR-15 rifles since Obama was elected. According to Greenberg, "There seems to be a fear they will be banned, and it's fairly likely. Obama and Biden are driven to eliminate firearms from the face of the country."
The National Rifle Association has actively spoken out against Obama, stating that he poses a “serious threat to Second Amendment liberties."
Some Obama supporters have sought to quell such concerns. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland told a rally that he had personally spoken with Obama about his gun control policies. "If you are a sportsman, if you are a gun owner, if you are someone that honors and respects the Second Amendment, you have nothing to fear from Barack Obama,” Strickland said.
Despite Strickland’s claim, many gun stores have capitalized on the insecurity Obama inspires among those eager to own certain weapons. One store owner in Georgia put up a sign advertising an “Obama Sale” on weapons and ammunition the Wednesday after the election.
Firearm sales have increased from 10 to 30 percent in Florida since October, according to a News Channel 8 WFLA special report. Gun store owner Doug Jackson told the network that the spike in sales was not unique to Obama’s election: anytime a Democrat is elected a fear of stronger gun restrictions causes a surge in sales, Jackson explained.
David Greenberg, owner of the Second Amendment Family Gun Shop in Bisbee, Ariz., sold out of AR-15 rifles since Obama was elected. According to Greenberg, "There seems to be a fear they will be banned, and it's fairly likely. Obama and Biden are driven to eliminate firearms from the face of the country."
The National Rifle Association has actively spoken out against Obama, stating that he poses a “serious threat to Second Amendment liberties."
Some Obama supporters have sought to quell such concerns. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland told a rally that he had personally spoken with Obama about his gun control policies. "If you are a sportsman, if you are a gun owner, if you are someone that honors and respects the Second Amendment, you have nothing to fear from Barack Obama,” Strickland said.
Despite Strickland’s claim, many gun stores have capitalized on the insecurity Obama inspires among those eager to own certain weapons. One store owner in Georgia put up a sign advertising an “Obama Sale” on weapons and ammunition the Wednesday after the election.
Reference: Obama’s voting record on guns and gun control
OnTheIssues presents a series of President-elect Barack Obama’s votes on gun control bills and measures as well as excerpts from interviews where Obama explained his position on the Second Amendment.
Source: OnTheIssues: Barack Obama on Gun Control
Related: When politics spurred the wedding industry
The wedding industry is also sensitive to political decisions—at least where gay marriage is concerned. Last spring, when gay marriage was first legalized in California, wedding-planning businesses and reception locations boomed thanks to a surge in nuptials by gay couples. According to speculative research by the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at UCLA, “Spending … on tourism and their [same-sex] weddings, will boost California’s economy by over $683.6 million in direct spending.”
Source: ABC News: California Gears Up for Gay Wedding Boom

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