Discounts And Fear Drive Near-Record Black Friday Gun Sales

<p>(AP Photo/File)</p>
<p>Researchers suggest that new, more powerful weapons are part of the reason gunshot wounds are more deadly. Above, a newly assembled AR-15 rifle at Stag Arms in New Britain, Conn.</p>
Photo: Guns, Assault Rifles, AR-15 (AP)
Researchers suggest that new, more powerful weapons are part of the reason gunshot wounds are more deadly. Above, a newly assembled AR-15 rifle at Stag Arms in New Britain, Conn.

Gunny Salas, who runs Tacticool Arms in Greeley, says he expects sales will continue to be strong. That’s due to the debate about gun control following recent mass shootings.

"I do think it stimulates it, honestly," he says. "As much as the politicians want to think they’re kind of inhibiting people, it’s really scaring people to go out and get more guns."

The AR-15 assault rifle was one of the biggest sellers for them the day after Thanksgiving. Salas says many buyers last week were also motivated by deep discounts.

"We were giving away free boxes of ammo with handguns, I mean discounting things left and right," he says. "So folks that were in the market for it this Christmas or Black Friday, they definitely got some deals."

Salas expects gun sales to be strong through December.