Gun Sales Spike Following Presidential Election

President Obama's re-election has many gun owners concerned about increased taxes and regulations to make guns and ammunition more expensive and weapons like assault rifles illegal. "Anybody has the right to bare arms," said Justin Baratta of Slocum Township. a firm believer in the Constitution's second amendment, has quite a gun collection. "Very many, yes." While shopping for a hunting rifle, Mr. Baratta shared his belief that gun restrictions would hurt the wrong people. "Bad guys are always going to have the guns. It's the law abiding citizen that needs the gun to help himself."

Mr. Piestrak says current FBI background checks make for effective customer screening. "Most people buy guns know that they can buy them," he said. One of the big changes Mr. Piestrak has seen since opening the gun shop in the 1970s is the number of women who are customers. When he first got into business he might see one a month. Now, it's several a day.

One of those female customers came Thursday to buy pocket guns. "My father and myself are getting the same guns for carry. The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380," said Tessa Weigand of Mountain Top. She says she's been carrying a gun for about three years. She wants to have a weapon with her while distance running. "You really do need to protect yourself," said Ms. Weigand. "You never know who you're going to encounter so you have to be proactive."