Gun Sales in Montgomery County on the Rise

Business is booming. Those in the gun-selling industry are finding a good deal of action in Montgomery County.

According to an article in the Pottstown Mercury, the counter in spots like the French Creek Outfitters has seldom dropped below a dozen customers all day long. In the wake of the debates on Capitol Hill and President Barrack Obama's recommendations on gun control, the sales and registrations in the county have been on the rise.

Many makes and models are sold out at local gun shops.

"When asked about AR-15 rifles, one employee shook his head. 'We’ve been sold out of those for weeks,' he said," quoted the Mercury article.

Many local vendors are noting the sales went up more after Wednesday's statements by the president.

"Gun shops reported a run on rifles after the president announced he wants a ban on assault weapons renewed and all ammunition magazines sold limited to 10 rounds or less, among other proposals," said the article.

One Perkiomen Valley area business owner agreed.

"Charles Barber, whose store, Barber’s Firearms in Lower Frederick, deals mostly in hunting and sporting needs, said there has 'absolutely' been a run on rifles like the AR-15," said the article.

According to an article on PAGunRights.com, the most recent collected data shows Montgomery County is listed as Number 9 county in the state for most licenses to carry, while it is Number 8 in the state for most firearm dealers.

Data was dated as far back as 2008 in the site's study.

Another news site, "The Daily Beast," ranked Pennsylvania at 25th in the nation for most gun owners. The site used data last collected in 2009.

Sales heading into 2013 are seeing a much steeper incline. It is unclear, however, if the rise in sales is for an owner's use and protection or if buyers are trying to make a quick buck.

"Although some may be buying the weapons for their personal use or defense, the gun store owner said many are probably buying the guns to turn a profit," the article said.

“They are an investment now,” said an unnamed gun store owner in Montgomery County. “There are people that bought them before all this and then sold them online for twice what they paid for them.”