Tulsa World: Economy affects sales at Tulsa gun show

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Economy affects sales at Tulsa gun show

Patrons attend the Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show at QuikTrip Center at Expo Square on Sunday. SHERRY BROWN/Tulsa World

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 11/15/2009 3:54 PM
Last Modified: 11/15/2009 6:11 PM

A frenzy of gun buying after the election of President Barack Obama seems to have slowed as collectors and buyers find themselves susceptible to the nation’s economic struggles.

Exhibitors and attendees of the Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show on Sunday said sales were down slightly this year and pistols and small rifles appeared to be more popular than larger, military-type machinery that dominated last year’s show.

“We’re down a little,” said Vice President Mark Wanenmacher. He added that part of the slowdown is likely because of deer hunting season.

The event, dubbed the largest gun show in the world, was hosted Saturday and Sunday at Tulsa’s Expo Square.

Brian Holtsclaw of Dixon, Mo., said he and some buddies have come to the show in Tulsa every year for the past five years. He buys and trades for hunting and recreational shooting, he said.

Worries that the Obama administration would usher in restrictive gun control laws have ebbed some in the president’s first several month in office, Holtsclaw said.

“Not this time,” he said. “That’s kind of slowed for now.”

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer

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Reader comments for this story have been moved to the most updated version of the story, now under the headline "Gun sales slide at firearms exhibition," which was published on 11/16/2009. So far, 71 comments have been made.