"Business has definitely increased:" New record for gun sales in Wisconsin; 1,700 on Black Friday
WEST ALLIS -- Since the terror attacks in Paris on November 13th, and San Bernardino on December 2nd, officials with gun stores across the country are reporting a surge in sales. A record was set for gun sales in Wisconsin on Black Friday -- with more than 1,700 sold.
In West Allis, The Shooters Shop officials say sales are up nearly 40%.
"I've been around to different gun shops and they`ve all been just packed," Dan Rossman said.
Gavin Robinson, The Shooters Shop manager
"Business has definitely increased since the tragedy in California," Gavin Robinson, The Shooters Shop manager said.
Robinson says they've seen a lot of new faces, and they've answered a lot of new questions.
"Most of the people coming in are afraid of guns being banned. It's not the tragedy that happened -- it's are they going to be banning guns?" Robinson said.
Khary Benebaker with Moms Demand Action
"In our country, when we have more guns than we have people just about -- buying more guns, or having more guns isn`t necessarily going to make it safe," Khary Benebaker with Moms Demand Action said.
Moms Demand Action is an organization that supports the Second Amendment -- but still, Benebaker says he's concerned to see this sudden spike in gun sales.
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"People should keep in mind having a gun inside the house increases risk to your family -- undo risk that you don`t need to have. We have a higher chance of shooting and killing someone you know, rather than an assailant or someone like that," Benebaker said.
Benebaker says he hopes these new gun owners are taking precautions at home, and safety classes.
Robinson says he recommends safety classes with each gun sale.
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"Use your discretion. Firearms are firearms. You have to respect them, and take classes, Know what you're doing, and there`s no issue," Robinson said.
The previous record for handgun background checks in one day in Wisconsin was just over 1,500. That record was set one week after the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
Wisconsin Department of Justice officials say as of November 29th, 35,294 concealed carry licenses were approved. That's up from 33,641 at this time last year.
DOJ officials say they average about 822 new applications per week.
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