Gun sales in Tenn. likely had record weekend
Gun sales in Tenn. likely had record weekend as buyers fear stricter gun control measures
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- It was likely a record weekend for gun sales in Tennessee.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Kristin Helm said in an email that the agency performed 9,772 background checks over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That's 500 more than the second biggest weekend on record — Black Friday and the two days that followed in November.
Background checks do not indicate how many guns were actually sold because buyers can purchase more than one.
The sales spike came after President Barack Obama called for stricter gun control following the horrific elementary school shooting in Connecticut on Friday.
John Harris, executive director of the gun rights advocacy group the Tennessee Firearms Association, said many people he knows are purchasing guns and ammunition.
"The fear is that the government is going to disregard the Constitution and try to ban weapons we've got a right to own under the Constitution," Harris said. "...The thinking is that since we don't know what's going to happen, we need to go out and stock up."
At the Goodlettsville Gun Shop, outside of Nashville, sales continued to be brisk on Wednesday.
Owner Phillip Arrington said in a phone interview that the store was packed and he had five check-out lines going.
"I'm so busy I don't have time to talk," he said.
