Guns Sales Up in Wyoming before Election - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Guns Sales Up in Wyoming before Election

Gun enthusiasts across the country stocked up on guns and ammunition before the 2008 election over concerns of President Obama's views on firearms.

Four years have come and gone with no major changes, so how are Wyomingites reacting leading up to this election?

While Wyoming is not a battleground state, it does love it's freedom to own firearms and some gun enthusiasts remain concerned leading up to the election.

"A lot of these people use these weapons for hobbies and hunting so yeah it is a huge concern," said Ryan Allen, Co-Owner of Frontier Arms.

That concern is leading to more business for frontier arms co-owner Ryan Allen.

"We have seen an increase over last year's sales with ammunition and firearms sales," Allen said.

Frontier Arms is the highest volume gun retailer in the entire state according to the ATF and while guns and ammo sales are up leading up to election day, sales still aren't quite what they were in 2008.

"I think everyone's kind of waiting to see what happens before they feel the need to come on down and purchase a firearm," Allen said.

Certain types of ammunition and guns have been harder to come by because of demand. Stores that have been in business longer are being less affected.

"The longer you've been with your salesman and your wholesaler the higher up it puts you on the list as to what kind of things you get allocated to you," Allen said.

Some gun stores across the country are using the fear of losing gun rights as a way to push sales. Allen says it's not a tactic he subscribes to.

"We don't use it as an advertising ploy or anything like that. Our customers are informed. They know what they want, generally they know what they want when they come in through the door and we just help them with that purchase," he said.