Gun Sellers See Spike in Sales in Light of Obama’s Proposal

SIOUX FALLS, SD β Sheriffβs offices arenβt the only places where President Obamaβs announcement on gun control is having a direct impact. One Sioux Falls business is also experiencing a surge in demand.
The Silencer Central owner says the business has sold $50,000 worth of products online and in-stores in one day. But with Obamaβs plan on gun control, he fears those sales may begin to fall. As a licensed gun dealer, Silencer Central Owner Brandon Maddox says heβs not directly affected by Obamaβs plan to tighten the reigns on private gun sellers. However, he still says heβs against it. βTo me itβs another way of the government trying to find a solution to a problem that doesnβt exist,β Maddox said.
The president is proposing to reduce gun violence and close the βgun showβ loophole by requiring private sellers to run background checks on customers. But Maddox doesnβt believe people buy guns from gun shows to kill people. βThereβs no data that Iβve seen that says, βMost crimes in America are created by hand guns purchased at gun shows; we need to fix that problem.β The data doesnβt support that,β Maddox said.
Senator John Thune also opposes the plan. In a statement, he says, βOur nationβs response to the recent tragedies should focus on a careful review of the root causes of these violent behaviors and how to stop them from happening in the future.β Silencer sales have skyrocketed in the past few weeks. Maddox says people are rushing to buy guns before Obamaβs proposal takes effect. Maddox says itβs unusual to see sales this high after holidays.
While business is great right now, he says the presidentβs plan could hurt sales pretty soon. βA lot of people will buy them through a corporation or a trust, but this new executive action will make it harder to go through that process,β Maddox said. Maddox says heβs hoping people donβt stop buying from his business, even if it is a longer process in the future. He also says if thereβs any benefit to Obamaβs proposal, itβs that licensed gun dealers and private sellers will compete on a leveled playing field. Right now, he says private sellers have the advantage of not requiring customers to fill out extra paperwork.