Store Owner Says Gun Sales Up in the Desert

CREATED May. 3, 2012

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  • The Guns of Distinction owner said he is seeing more and more first-time gun-owners. Particularly people in their 50's and 60's. And there may be a couple reasons for that. Video by kmir6.com

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More people packing heat?
A local store owner tells us gun sales are up right here in the desert.
The gun store owner said he is seeing more and more first-time gun-owners.
Particularly people in their 50's and 60's.
And there may be a couple reasons for that.

Firearms are flying off the shelves.
Guns of Distinction owner, Mark Wasserkrug, said part of the reason is news stories.
"We get a lot of people come in because they're concerned, if there's a home invastion robbery or whatnot they're going to be in here, looking for guns," said Wasserkrug.
Safety is Rene, a first-time gunowner's, target.
"Really moreso for home defense, wanted to have something at home to protect the fam and just have around," said La Quinta resident, Rene.
Jerry Mendenhall brought in his great-grandfather's rifle from the 1890s to learn some history about it.
While at the store he told us why more people may be packing heat.
"I think sometimes they are maybe scared that new gun laws might change and they might not be able to be able to practice the shooting they wanted to or just the gun ownership," said Mendenhall, a Cathedral City resident.
Wasserkrug says gun sales are increasing as the presidential election draws closer.
"Last presidential election... Californa-legal assault type rifles, or black pistols and such, everybody sold out of," said Wasserkrug.
The California State Assembly just passed a bill that outlaws carrying unloaded rifles in public, similar to a handgun law passed last year.
"I don't see where this is going to create a big problem, I think its just another steps that brings us closer to a form of gun control," said Wasserkrug.
We asked other people their thoughts on the public rifle ban.
"I am someone who is for carrying arms and bearing arms, I don't think we should ban that whatsoever, but I do believe that carrying an open rifle in your vehicle would just bring nothing good," said Indio resident, Ashley Andreasen.
"They have it locked safe at home, they keep it in there, that's fine you know, we all need that protection, but I guess carrying it around in public just seems a little unneccesary," said Palm Desert resident, Caitlin Hilts.
The bill shot through the Assembly and now must pass the Senate.
Wasserkrug said there is such a big demand for guns now that some firearms they normally get in 2 to 3 days, are taking a month to come in.