Firearm retailers expect to set sales records following Obama's reelection
Ben Carmen, the manager of Boise Gun Company’s Nampa store, sold a gun Wednesday to a customer unworried about the U.N. restricting firearms or Pres. Obama banning assault rifles.
“Not a bit,” Jim Boatman said. “Not a single bit. And I think it’s …”
(At this point, Boatman – the buyer of one of Carmen’s guns – paused to avoid cursing)
“… bologna,” he finished. “[Obama’s] not going to take guns.”
But not all Boise Gun Company patrons felt as unconcerned as Boatman. Since the nation reelected Obama, Carmen said he’s watched sales rise significantly. And at the Boise branch, that store sold an additional $200,000 of firearms in the month of November alone.
“[Customers] have never felt the need to get [a gun] in the past,” Carmen said, “but they’re worried where the economy is going and whether or not they’ll be able to have one in the future.”
The uptick in Idaho sales reflects a national trend: On Black Friday, the FBI received more background-check calls for firearm sales than on any other single day in its history.
“It’s going to be a record year for pretty much anyone in the gun industry,” Carmen said.
Boatman contributed to that bumper year, but not out of fear, safety or planning.
“So, you’re not buying to stock up for anything?” we asked him.
“No, I’m not,” he said. “I got plenty. This is a gift for someone. Don’t tell him.”
While Jim kept to himself the recipient of his soon-to-be-gifted gun, he willingly shared a message for panicky, doomsday firearm-shoppers.
“He’s not going to take ’em,” Boatman said. “Quit worrying.”










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