Tulsa World: Obama win spurs gun purchases

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Obama win spurs gun purchases

Gun enthusiasts attend Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show on Saturday at the QuikTrip Center at Expo Square. The show continues Sunday. SHERRY BROWN / Tulsa World

By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer
Published: 11/9/2008 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 11/9/2008 3:34 AM

Carl Geist was taking a break on Saturday at the Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show by reading David McCullough's "1776," which tells the story of the beginning of the American Revolution.

Sitting in the food court at Expo Square's QuikTrip Center, Geist said the colonists broke with Great Britain primarily because the British overtaxed and attempted to disarm them.

Some 232 years have passed since then, but many attending the biannual gun show, which concludes with a session from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, seemed to have similar worries.

While no one was comparing President-elect Barack Obama to King George III, there was a feeling that firearms may be harder to come by during the upcoming administration.

Joe Wanenmacher, manager of the show, said the event usually draws about 30,000 people, but he expects closer to 35,000 at this weekend's edition — print advertisements for which say "Buy Before New Laws."

"It's a little larger this year," Wanenmacher said. "People are concerned about the results of the election."

One would have thought Saturday that the Tulsa State Fair was back in town. The parking lots at Expo Square were packed with vehicles brandishing license plates not only from Oklahoma and contiguous states, but also from places such as Nevada, Minnesota and Alabama.

As one man made his way toward the gate, he told someone on his cell phone, "He asked me, 'You think they're going to ban this stuff?' I said they might."

The phenomenon is not unique to this area.

The Associated Press reported late last week that in October, as an Obama win looked increasingly likely, there were more than 108,000 additional background checks for gun purchases than in October 2007, a 15 percent increase. Those checks were up about 8 percent for the year as of Oct. 26, according to the FBI.

The AP reported that no hard data were available for gun purchases in the days since Tuesday's election, but said gun shops across the country were reporting record sales.

Obama has said he respects Americans' Second Amendment right to bear arms, but that he favors "common sense" gun laws.

Gun rights advocates interpret that as meaning he'll at least enact curbs on ownership of assault and concealed weapons.

As a U.S. senator, Obama voted to leave gun-makers and dealers open to lawsuits; as an Illinois state legislator, he supported a ban on semiautomatic weapons and tighter restrictions on all firearms.

Geist, who traveled from Abilene, Texas, for the Tulsa show, said that "gun-control nuts have an agenda," and he has heard plenty of people voice concerns that it's about to get harder for people to buy firearms.

"I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be," Geist said.

Scott Olinske, 42, of Jenks said he wouldn't be surprised if there is an effort under the new administration to tighten gun laws.

His father, 66-year-old Jim Olinske of Glenpool, said "all of those liberals want to take away our guns." However, the Indiana native also expressed confidence that "the boys from the South" will never let that happen.

Steve Fideline, 46, of Coweta was at Saturday's show looking to trade a military rifle. He said he used to be a firearms dealer and that he wouldn't sell to people he didn't know.

Fideline said he has no problem with background checks on the "front-end" of a firearm transaction, but he said he does not favor restricting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

Some experts say that any changes to the gun laws will be minor.

However, during the presidential campaign, the National Rifle Association warned that Obama would be the "most antigun president in American history"

Kent Stull, 54, of Tulsa said Obama will have more pressing issues — such as the struggling economy — to deal with before he has time to turn his attention to firearms. "They'll give us plenty of time to hoard up," he said with a smile.

Jim Britton Jr., 37, of Springfield, Mo., who bought a gun, said he doesn't know what to expect in the way of gun control in the future. He did purchase a new firearm on Saturday, but he didn't want to say how much it cost.

The Olinskes were on hand Saturday to get parts for Scott Olinske's rifle. His father wryly noted that the price of a new firearm is so steep these days that gun control advocates needn't bother with changing the laws.

"Most of us can't afford one anyway," Jim Olinske said.

David Harper 581-8359
david.harper@tulsaworld.com By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment H_Harl, (11/9/2008 2:58:40 AM) yep. better get 'em while you can. democratic pres and democratic congress, you can count on plenty of law abbiding americans being dissarmed over the next 4 years.
	Report Comment Angry Citizen!, Bluejacket (11/9/2008 3:41:32 AM) It's been promised, gun control, abortion paid for by the tax payers, and blaming the constituion and church for all the nations woes. Doesn't matter what guns you run out and buy, the feds know you got em, and can come get them. Remember, the police are only five minutes away if someone breaks into your house.
	Report Comment Michael Phillips, Tulsa (11/9/2008 5:49:35 AM) It isn't just gun sales that are brisk. The sale of NRA memberships are also at an all time high. The price hasn't changed and I don't expect it will, but demand is up. Many of the first time members who have joining since last Tuesday are old men.
	Report Comment oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (11/9/2008 6:11:58 AM) As the saying goes, I would rather have a gun, and not need to use it, than need a gun, and not have one.
	Report Comment Travis, Tahlequah (11/9/2008 7:04:19 AM) Go to youtube and watch criminals for gun control, part 2 home invasion. While it is funny it is also reality.
	Report Comment Popeye, Tulsa (11/9/2008 8:39:49 AM) I guess I'm with you Oldrustytulsa. However, I do have a large selection of bats and hit .396 back-in-the-day! Speaking of batting, and completely off-topic, what does everybody thing about turning the ballpark at the fairgrounds into a softball venue when the Drillers leave?
	Report Comment Hijinx, (11/9/2008 8:45:47 AM) .396 Popeye? Impressive! Cardinals could have used some of that this year.
	Report Comment Davy Crotchety, (11/9/2008 9:09:31 AM) Wow...Obama doesn't care about this issue...like, at ALL. He's said dozens of times that he supports second amendment rights, which is political-speak for he couldn't give a flip about your guns, he's got bigger fish to fry. It really is the economy, stupids. Duh. Speaking of, hope you guys haven't spent all your Christmas money on iron. Your kids need stuff, too.
	Report Comment love 918, (11/9/2008 10:26:25 AM) Gun dealers love democrats!! Take Mr. Clinton for example. The 1994 Brady Bill skyrocketed the price of "pre-ban" weapons and magazines holding over 10 rounds. But after Mr. Bush allowed the Brady bill to expire, the prices of these "banned" guns and magazines has dropped back to almost 1993 prices. I almost wonder if I were a gun dealer...I might actually vote democratic.
	Report Comment my view, America (11/9/2008 10:35:08 AM) Davy, I know what his record was in the Illinois Senate, he's against handguns and conceal carry permits. His resume is thin to begin with but that is part of his record. Jim If the bad guys find about you, you'll wish you had a gun.
	Report Comment LE, Tulsa (11/9/2008 10:47:15 AM) Obama's anti-gun voting record speaks louder than his pro-gun rhetoric. Don't believe his lies. He wants to outlaw your guns.
	Report Comment Davy Crotchety, (11/9/2008 11:34:57 AM) Sorry girls, go read his agenda. Guns aren't on it...at all. Obama is worried about the economy, health care, and things that really make a difference in the lives of Americans. He's NOT worried about your stupid little wedge issue. Look it up. Again, I hope you turkeys didn't overspend at the gun show.
	Report Comment Perry, Sand Springs (11/9/2008 11:44:28 AM) Sorry Davy, but LE is right. His voting record speaks louder than his words.
	Report Comment Harvester3, B A (11/9/2008 11:49:09 AM) Agenda's are nice. Voting records tell the truth though. Last I knew, our new president isn't worried about much of anything. I'm kinda looking forward to getting all that money the rich folks are gonna kick in for us not so rich folks.
	Report Comment KJNOKIE, TULSA (11/9/2008 12:01:57 PM) I bet gun dealers started this irrational fear.
	Report Comment Norman Bates, Bates Motel (11/9/2008 12:21:49 PM) Just got back from the gun show. Wow, that place is packed. It was so hard to find a parking place I thought I was downtown.
	Report Comment Marguerite, Tulsa, The world is my home... (11/9/2008 12:50:33 PM) Read this story, then the comments. Now go to the first entry in the Political Notebook (local). See any correlation? Obama received 1,635 fewer votes than John Kerry in 2004. Those 1,635 were all out buying guns instead.
	Report Comment tulsaOUfan, Tulsa (11/9/2008 1:13:06 PM) I wouldn't be surprised if they have a record attendance and sales. It was wall to wall people inside there. I bought an extra gun. We've got to make sure we're armed. Scary times are a'coming.
	Report Comment Davy Crotchety, (11/9/2008 2:01:09 PM) Fine. You ladies can spend your time worrying about wedge issue politics if you want. But, six months from now, when you see that your taxes are lower; that nobody gives a hoot about yer guns; and that nobody is trying to force you to marry "a gay", I hope then I hope you realize that you were tricked by the fear-mongers and manipulators in your own ranks. Whether you want to admit it or not, we Americans are all on the same team.
	Report Comment Steven, (11/9/2008 2:06:59 PM) It might not be first on his list but I'll guarantee you gun control is top five, along with legalizing all abortions on demand with no restrictions and gay marriage. He's already stated his desire to deal with the Iranian president and the PLO and other known terrorist organizations and states. He's never even tried to hide his ties to these organizations. It's amazing how blind the economy has made people. I guess when you promise everything to everybody people will believe. People really think he's going to pay their mortgage and put gas in their cars. Amazing.
	Report Comment Steven, (11/9/2008 2:11:36 PM) "Agenda's are nice. Voting records tell the truth though." And his voting record shows his total support of outlawing guns, gay marriage, and unrestricted abortions on demand.
	Report Comment Steven, (11/9/2008 2:19:58 PM) Davy, his transition team has already openly stated they're working on executive orders covering stem cell research, gays in the military, gun control, abortion, limits on oil and gas drilling, eliminating coal used for electrical generation. Yes, his social agenda is very high on their priority. They're already working on it.
	Report Comment Davy Crotchety, (11/9/2008 2:40:08 PM) Obama's agenda is there for all to see. Look it up: 1. Economic recovery and getting people back to work. 2. Ending the War in Iraq. 3. Health care. 4. Energy independence. Question: where, in there, is he supposed to care about your guns? Answer: he doesn't.
	Report Comment KJNOKIE, TULSA (11/9/2008 3:37:35 PM) Yes, I am scared. Anyone reading these comments would be. And I live among these people.
	Report Comment Paula, Midtown (11/9/2008 5:04:47 PM) Obama's voting record speaks for itself. Nuff said. Hold on to your guns and unborn children.

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