Guns and Gifts: Firearms retailers see holiday sales spike

Like most retailers, the folks at Cherokee Firearms are in the middle of their busiest time of year. According to owner Nick Newman, the start to the season has been a good one.

"Of course, as a small retailer, this is a good weekend in general for us and always is every year," he said.

Firearms and ammo dealers have always been able to count on Christmastime, though reasons for buying guns as gifts have changed some.

Newman explained, "Thirty years ago when I was in the business, you would see people buying .22s for their kids or you would see them buying a deer rifle for someone in their family as a gift. Now, you see them buying a concealed carry gun to give as a gift to protect someone."

Most gun retailers across the country predicted a boom in sales, of some sort, this month,

"If the election had gone the other way, we probably wouldn't be here because I wouldn't have much left."

Heading into this month, some voters expressed fears about the future of their gun rights. Some predicted a win for Hilary Clinton, who has expressed support for tightening gun control, would lead to people stocking up on guns and ammo. However, with the win of president-elect Donald Trump (who was endorsed by the National Rifle Association) concerns aren't seeming nearly as likely to come to pass.

Now, at gun retailers, stuff isn't flying off the shelves in the volume some thought it might. But, there is a nice little boost in sales being driven by promotions specifically for the season.

Newman stated, "We don't like to sell things based on fear or reactions. We want to sell stuff to people who are interested in the sport and enjoying what we have to offer."