Obama factor cited as gun permits increase

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COLUMBIA --- New concealed-weapon permit applications in South Carolina increased nearly 55 percent through the end of August, compared with the same period last year.

New requests totaled 11,777, a sizable jump from the eight-month period last year, when 7,618 applications were made to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

To Gerald Stoudemire, the reason is clear.

The president of Gun Owners of South Carolina says many people are concerned Barack Obama will erode Second Amendment rights if he wins the presidency.

"This is the information we are hearing from our customers and students," said Mr. Stoudemire, who owns a gun shop. "They all are commenting about Sen. Obama's negative voting record on gun ownership and self-defense." Jay Parmley, the executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party, dismisses the gun issue as "election-year hype."

"There is nothing that Barack Obama has said or done that would make anyone believe he would attempt to restrict the right of an individual to own a gun, particularly for hunting, particularly for sporting purposes," he said.

He said that if sales are higher, it's because people have been frightened into buying weapons.

"I suspect it's a ploy to get (gun) sales up," he said. "Let's scare people and say if Barack Obama wins, your right to carry a gun will be taken away from you.

SLED spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said it is possible the increase in applications is because of a change this year that relaxed permit qualifications pertaining to traffic infractions.

Reach Sarita Chourey at (803) 727-4257 or sarita.chourey@morris.com.

Comments

patriciathomas

The election year hype that scares people about Obama consists of restrictions on gun ownership, registration of every gun and piece of ammunition, nationalization of 401(k), end of secret union ballots, nationalized health care, increased taxes and numerous other ways of saving us from ourselves. I'm sure this list coincidentally emulates the list of 'important things to do' listed in Mien Kampf.

crackerjack

This video will explain some of this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjo85WhbYqM

pizzato

I've been able to stock up on ammo the last few weeks and just bought a couple of rifles at the last gun show just in case Nobama has his way.

karmakills123

your not going to need those guns until the bamaman has been in office for awhile.. until the followers find out he lied....bang bang !!! Heil hussien !!! (Don't blame me..I voted for McCain !!!!

DoubleD

crackerjack, Great Video! At least they cannot say he's racist.

DoubleD

I loved this comment: "A DEMOCRAT BY DEFAULT!" Ain't that the truth!! That is why most so-called Democrats are Democrats!! If they were to employ reason, especially those of African heritage, they would certainly know that historically it has been the Republicans that have afforded them most of what they have today!" Straight from the mouth of an "African-American"

tusmooth1

And this is a story!!!! LOL

robaroo

Mr Stoudemire's comments are highly misleading. As a senator, Barak Obama has a history of voting for very repressive gun laws. You can expect him to curtail your civil rights from the time he gets into office. It will start with "common sense" gun regulations. If he gets his way, handguns will be banned out right, and your choices for hunting will be limited. (ps - I'm not a single issue voter. I'll vote for Obama anyway, but definitely not for his positions on gun laws.)

robertb

I live in Northern Illinois but am orginally from Edgefield county. Here in Il. you have to have a state issued F.O.I.D.(firearms owners I.D card) and he has never voted in Il on the side of gun owners. If it were up to him no one would have any type of weapons to defend themselves. He WILL try to impliment the same laws that are in places like England,Australia. Don't take my word for it look his voting record in Il.

dani

Of course Obama wants the citizenry to be unarmed.

john

dont worry, his new gestapo, the new civilian defense force he is talking about will take care of us. just ask the germans.

toppergem

One of the reasons there should be some tighter controls over the purchase of guns has to do with the mental health of the buyers. Poor mental health does not equal safe gun owners.

mable8

Obama has clearly indicated that the Constitution is an impediment of what he wants to accomplish should he win the presidency--that will definitely affect our Bill of Rights since the first 10 Amendments make up that document. I don't blame people for wanting to do something in advance--certainly, I do NOT want that lying creep in the oval office.

HYPOCRITES 08

I rather have the bamannians than the karamanians in charge.

Waymore

You do know when I'll give up my guns, right?

Waymore

You do know when I'll give up my guns, right?

karmakills123

lol..little hypo..don't be bittersweet....................

jack

Parmley, NObama's voting record on guns and gun ownership speaks for it's self.

jack

Me and my sons have enough guns and ammo to make sure NObama doesn't take them.

GEN. JACKSON

I'M with you Jack.Their may be a reason to own these guns and ammo one day.

steve-o

If I was hussein, I'd want the general citizenry disarmed too.

Fiat_Lux

There might even be a good reason to own guns on Wednesday, Nov 5th, if we get lucky and McCain wins.

steve-o

Naaa, our potential rioters are very aware that any riot in a southern town would be met with overwhelming force. The National Guard would be have to be called in to protect the rioters.

steve-o

It will be broadcast in beautiful HD from the ghettos of L.A., Detroit, Chicago, Seattle, and the rest of the weak, liberal cities.

steve-o

"There is nothing that Barack Obama has said or done that would make anyone believe he would attempt to restrict the right of an individual to own a gun, particularly for hunting, particularly for sporting purposes," he said. That's funny, I don't recall ANYTHING in the constitution about owning firearms for hunting, and sporting purposes! I do, however recollect the part where it says that "the right of the people, to keep and bear arms, SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED".

KSL

That doesn't include me. How many people hunt with a 38 special. Have owned that gun since the late 70's or early 80's. Took a police sponsored course for women and handguns. At that time semi automatics were not recommended. I have 100 rounds of star point?? ammo. Had it so long I have forgotten. How much more ammo and what do I need to get? Any suggestions on upgrades.

KSL

I don't target practice. While I was taking the course, the only time I missed the target was during the no light practice. And I didn't miss all of them. Had never fired a gun in my life before the course.

1941

'They will cling to thier bibles and guns' LOL

SCGAL53

I sure do cling to my Bible you idiot!

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