Gun sales have increased dramatically since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and major gun retailers including Walmart have sold out of their entire inventory.
Between the tragedy itself and the imminent restrictions on gun laws that are being endorsed by President Obama, people are flocking to stores like Walmart to purchase firearms.
In fact, the semiautomatic weapon used by Adam Lanza in the massacre is one of the most popular models being sold.
Smaller retailers are also sold out of firearms.
John Hotchkiss, owner of Red Bear Gun Brokers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, said his gun inventory is nearly sold out – as are his nearly two dozen distributors.
“Three of my distributors’ websites even went down,” Hotchkiss told the Colorado Springs Gazette.
On eBay, bids for Glock handgun magazines were as high as $118.37, up from $45 on the day of the shooting.
Walmart has come under fire for continuing to sell the semiautomatic rifles, while other retailers, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, have decided to pull the rifles from stores.
Pawn shop owner Frank James said he has decided to discontinue selling all firearms at his shop, Loanstar Jewelry and Pawn, in Seminole, Florida.
James said about 50 percent of his revenue comes from gun sales, but he couldn’t bear to sell them anymore for the sake of his daughter, who is in first grade.
“I didn’t want her thinking daddy’s an evil guy, he sells guns,” he said.
James Gilbert | Elite.
