Gun-control issues swell crowd at Fresno show
Talk by politicians about tighter gun control laws and bans on assault weapons had hobbyists flocking to a gun show Saturday at the Fresno Fairgrounds to buy firearms and ammunition, which they said are becoming more expensive and scarce.
“Supply and demand,” said Brent Lysdahl, 25, of Clovis. “Even online, you can’t buy ammunition.”
People entering and leaving the Central Coast Gun Show said recent gun control proposals have caused a sharp spike in firearm and ammunition prices.
Bret Barton, 52, of Squaw Valley said the prices of assault weapons have risen nearly 70% since the fatal shooting of 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., last month.
“There is a fear of not being able to buy guns,” he said.
One-hundred rounds of ammunition three or four months ago was going for about $34, said Anthony Morfin, 53, of Visalia.
“Now that same 100 rounds will cost $64,” he said.
People said they waited two to three hours to buy ammunition Saturday.
Gun show attendance was three times larger this year compared to last year, organizers said.
Morfin said a line formed from the Chance Avenue entrance south to Butler Avenue and turned east along Butler when he arrived less than an hour before the gate opened at 9 a.m.
Attendees said it took about 45 minutes to an hour to enter the gun show in the Commerce Building once the gate opened.
Vin Tran, 24, of Fresno stood in line for 21/2 hours Saturday to buy ammunition for his AR-15 rifle. The proposed bans on assault weapons is creating a buying frenzy for firearms and ammunition, he said.
However, he expects that will change as the issue ceases to be a political hot topic.
“Within a couple of months,” Tran said, “it should be back to normal.”
Morfin said he and his family use assault weapons at shooting ranges.
“We’ve never shot animals or even cans,” he said. “We’re just recreational shooters.”
His son, Anthony Jr., 32, said he and other gun hobbyists are “law-abiding citizens but we’re being treated unfairly.”
By Eddie Jimenez
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2 Responses to Gun-control issues swell crowd at Fresno show
All of mass shooting have been committed by liberal democrates or their children.Instead of attacking all gun owners it appears that the only people who shouldn’t be allowed to own guns are liberal democrates and their desendents. If we want to get debit ceiling under control these same democrates should be removed from there offical duties and return to making an honest living the old fashion way by working hard producing any useful product or service for the well being of there fellow americans!!!
SINCERELY
ED KENNEDY
There is a problem developing when the political reaction to an incident by simply creating a law or a ban. I call that lazy work ethic. why is it that everyone suffers for the actions of one person who through total disregard for the law determine to take innocent lives. Gun owners feel the same as non-gun owners concerning the horrors of such a tragedy. Our politicians should be looking at the real problem rather than just throw another law out there as the answer. That type of reaction has the voting public wondering how our politicians have become so stupid. Even we know a law won’t stop the actions of someone intent on breaking it and doing harm to others. The people that gun owners are now fearing are the politicians and our freedom. The nation is moving in a very scary direction and that nervousness is being seen in the purchase of guns. If Washington does not believe that they are creating the fear of oppression then they should wake up and start talking to the people again rather than the Party. More Americans today are fearful of our government than ever before as our government has lost touch with the meaning of representation. I hope that you will try logic and reasoning in addressing these issue rather than throw more laws at it.