Plenty of changes for gun shop owners after Newtown shooting
After the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., there’s been national discussion around gun policy. Sen. Dianne Feinstein is planning to reintroduce the assault weapons ban during the next Congress.
And for gun shop owners across America, that could mean some changes in the way they do business.
Frank Gerstenkorn is the owner of Guns & Gear, a gun shop in Cheyenne, Wy. There’s a rush from customers to buy guns in case any legislation banning guns gets put into place.
“Product has been flying off the shelves,” Gerstenkorn says.
In his own shop, assault guns account for about 20 percent of his business. But even if assault weapons are banned, he says there’s still ways to stay profitable.
“We have to make internal adjustments and have to emphasize other parts of the shooting industry,” he says. “There may not be a way to make as much money, but you’ll stay very busy.”
Note that Gerstenkorn says he doesn’t believe in a ban on assault weapons — he says they should be protected under the Second Amendment.
“Let’s not call them ‘assault’ weapons because that’s not what they are. I’ve got a pencil in my pocket. That’s an assault weapon.”
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