Fears about Obama presidency have Roseburg, Ore., gun sales booming
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- With the economy struggling, many businesses are having trouble. But if you own a gun shop, your business is likely booming.
The economy is hurting and many people are feeling the pressure, including businesses here in our county, but one type of business is not only doing OK, but is seeing a rise in sales.
Gun shops across the nation, including ones here in Douglas County, have seen a steady rise in the sale of firearms and ammunition.
The owner of Flying Cloud Trading Company, Donna Ellison says, "We have more than doubled our sales during the whole election cycle, particularly a couple of weeks before the election. It has been a mad house in here."
You may be asking why. Well, local store owners say its largely in part because of President-elect Barack Obama.
"His voting record has never voted for the American people. He has always voted against gun rights. He voted to raise taxes on guns and ammo 500%. He voted to eliminate handguns, and be able to sue manufacturers for the offenses of criminals, and on and on."
According to Kelly Applegarth at the Roseburg Gun Shop, one kind of gun in particular, the AR-15, is flying off the shelf. One reason, he says, is because they have all the components of a military weapon. They have a pistol grip, detachable magazine and they have a flash hider.
Store owners say the most popular gun sales along with so called assault rifles, are hand guns, because people are afraid 
these guns are going to be banned when Obama comes into office.
KPIC asked the Sheriff's Office if they have seen a rise in concealed handgun licenses.
Sgt. Dave Marshall said, "What we saw is an increase in concealed hand gun licenses after the 9-11 attack. It also depends on what is happening in society at the time. When Josephine County had their budget problems, they had a massive increase of concealed licensed hand gun holders when they started cutting patrol off the road. This year is down from last year on the number of concealed hand gun licenses we have issued. So, I have not seen an increase from any election results or anything like that."
Whatever the reason for gun sales going up, shop owners are not complaining, as the outlook for them is all positive.
