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MURRAY — Utah gun stores have seen a huge spike in business in the past week.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A spike in gun sales is common after a mass shooting, but the latest rampage has generated record sales in some states, particularly of rifles similar to the AR-15 the gunman used in an attack Friday on Sandy Hook Elementary School that killed 26 people, including 20 children.
There was also an unusual increase in sales for armored backpacks designed to shield children caught in shootings, according to three companies that make them.
Some experts, however, say sending children to school in armored backpacks is not a healthy response to fear about mass shootings. Anne Marie Albano, psychiatry director at Columbia University's Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders, said parents should convey calmness, not anxiety.
"This is not serving to keep children safe," she said. "This is serving to increase their fear and their suspicion of their peers."
At Amendment II in Salt Lake City, sales of its children's backpacks and armored inserts have increased, with 200 purchase requests Wednesday alone.
"The incident last week highlights the need to protect our children," said co-owner Derek Williams. "We didn't get in this business to do this. But the fact is that our armor can help children just as it can help soldiers."
Sales of assault weapons also were on the rise.
Aaron Byrd, co-owner of Patriot Shooting Sports in Youngsville, N.C., is sold out of the AR-15 rifles, ammo for those types of guns and high-capacity magazines.
"Things have been crazy the past couple of days. A lot of people have been coming in looking to purchase semiautomatic rifles. They're worried that the government's going to ban semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines, so they've been coming in looking for those," he said.
He added, "I think it is a knee-jerk reaction by both parties – both the government and the citizens."
"Get Some" Guns and Ammo in Murray had customers practically lined up outside the door today. The store has been busy since last week's Connecticut shooting. Some people said they were concerned about being safe in their homes and others fear certain types of weapons will no longer be sold, and they wanted to get them now.
Brady Jardine and Shayne Murdock drove from Logan to visit "Get Some" Guns and Ammo and have been stocking up on equipment.
#jardinequote1
"We've probably got sitting here, just guns alone, $5,000 plus, and then scopes, optics ammunition, probably $6,000 – $7,000 thousand dollars," Jardine said.
They've been visiting gun store after store along the way, looking for these semi-automatic rifles. Many of the stores they visited were already sold out.
"It's one of those things that when you're told you can't have something, it increases the demand for them," Jardine said.
Owner Stuart Wallin says he always sees spikes in business whenever there's a well-publicized gun incident. But the holidays and the talk in Washington is adding to the rush.
"I don't think it's the actual event that happened in Connecticut, but it's the talk of gun legislation that spurs this," Wallin said.
The scene is the same all across the country. Colorado set a single-day sales record this past week and the number of requests for background checks in Nevada has skyrocketed.
Here in Utah, background checks are up 20 percent over last year, but no major spikes in that number over the weekend.
The latest debate over guns will likely drag on for months and opinions on both sides will be strong.
When we feel our rights are being infringed upon or are just going to be taken away because of some thoughtless act, sure we worry about it.
–Stuart Wallin, Owner of "Get Some" Guns and Ammo
"But when we feel our rights are being infringed upon or are just going to be taken away because of some thoughtless act, sure we worry about it," Wallin said.
Jardine is worried too, especially about the safety of his family.
"I'm not on the side that says take guns away and they will stop the problems. So I want to make sure that my family is protected," Jardine said. "And when all is said and done, a couple of years down the road, they might be worth a lot of money as well."
CNN has just released a poll showing that 52 percent of Americans favor major restrictions on owning guns or a ban on semi-automatic assault rifles. However, a similar number, 53 percent, say tragic attacks will continue regardless of any action taken.
