Wake County gun sales are soaring, as reported by the News & Observer today. Concealed carry is of particular interest to folks. From the N&O (emphasis is mine):
Information provided by the Wake County Sheriff’s Office is telling. From 2004 to 2007, an average of 7,853 concealed carry permits were issued each year in Wake County. In 2008, the number was 13,896, and as of March 12, the number was 3,596 for 2009. (Almost 24 percent of applicants are denied each year for various reasons.)
Tilley says there are several reasons for the increase.
“Some people are oblivious to the political aspect,” he said. “There is an increase in violent crime, and they can see it down the street. It’s on the news. It’s driven by what they read in the newspaper and see on the Internet.”
Tilley said he also sees young couples shopping for their first gun. He said he always asks why they want one and gets a multitude of reasons, with a ratio of about 60 percent crime-oriented and 40 percent politically motivated.
“Once I get them in the door, it’s ongoing commerce,” he said. “Once we get them in the door, they see that guns aren’t taboo, and we’ve raised some awareness that guns aren’t bad to a lot of voters.”
Yes, elections do have consequences, not only on public policy, but on the reaction of the public to what’s coming.
