Gun shop owner says sales on rise after terrorist attacks, Obama's call for stricter firearms laws



SEATTLE -- One local gun shop owner says his gun sales increased by 50%  in the past three days. He is expecting the number to go up even more because of Sunday's speech by President Obama.

“We have extra staff, extra merchandise,” Fall City Firearms owner Lee Stallman said.

It’s not the typical holiday rush.

“This political climate is definitely going to increase firearm sales,” Stallman said.

On Sunday, Obama called for stricter gun laws.

“Congress should act that no one on the no-fly list is able to buy a gun,” Obama said.

The president also called for restrictions on assault weapons.

“We also need to make it harder for people to buy powerful assault weapons like the ones that were used in San Bernardino,” Obama said.

Gun control organizations such as Washington Ceasefire say it’s the political momentum they need to pass stricter gun laws.

“We cannot even prevent terrorists in this country from buying guns legally -- what does that say for the resolve of the nation?” Ralph Fascitelli of Washington Ceasefire said.

The heated arguments are raging on both sides of the issue ever since the terrorist attack that killed 14 and wounded 21 people inside a Southern California office building.

“When we have shootings like that, it makes people ponder would I want to be there and be helpless,” Stallman said.

On Friday, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. encouraged students to bear arms.

“I want to take this opportunity to encourage all of you to get your permit. We offer a free course and let`s teach them a lesson if they show up here,” Falwell said.

Gun control advocates are calling Falwell`s speech outrageous.

“We are all about a safer society; we need to find common ground,” Fascitelli said.

But to Stallman, that common ground is not more restrictions on guns.

“Short term sales will skyrocket,” Stallman said.

The King County Sheriff's Office says they are seeing an increase in concealed carry permit applicatons ever since the terrorist attack in Paris.

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