Local gun shop says handgun sales up 25%

Americans who had never contemplated owning a gun are taking a second look. (Courtesy photo)

GONIC - Between confirmed terror attacks in Paris and California and gun enthusiasts' fears that the government could invoke tighter laws on firearms ownership amid a recent spate of mass shootings, guns sales are seeing a definite increase here on the Northern Seacoast and nationwide.

Scot Villeneuve, the marketing director at Renaissance Arms in Gonic, said today that first-time buyers of handgun for self-defense may account for the lion's share of the increase, perhaps by as much as 25 percent.

Nationwide, the FBI reported their firearms background check system was deluged with almost 200,000 gun permit requests on Black Friday, which could mean an assortment of guns and rifles under the Christmas tree this year.

Locally, "There's a lot of interest in people learning what a firearm might provide them for security in the home," Villeneuve said. "If they were on the fence, they might be thinking now a firearm might be a good addition to their security alarm and their watchdog."

He also said the terror attacks in Paris and especially San Bernardino had a profound effect on Americans that had never before even thought of owning a gun.

"If they were on the fence, the latest two reminders, especially San Bernardino where it happened at a municipal building, may change their minds," Villeneuve added. "That brings home the fact you've got to be vigilant, and an armed citizen is not a helpless citizen."

President Obama again on Sunday continued his conversation for anti-gun legislation, which ironically is also spurring gun sales, specifically sales of semi-automatic rifles like AK-47s.

There are many sports gun enthusiasts who are afraid they might not be able to buy these in the future, Villeneuve said.

Once a first-time gun owner purchases a gun they can get some training at places like Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, N.H., or Major Waldron Sportsmen's Club in Barrington, N.H., Villeneuve said.