FENTON, Mo. (KMOX) - The threat of new gun laws is driving up demand beyond supply, with one local dealer saying he's never seen anything like it.
The gun display cases at Denny Dennis Sporting Goods in Fenton, Mo. has guns on the top shelves, but the middle and bottom shelves are empty. Owner Denis Dennis says he only has 700 guns in stock, instead of his usual 1,700.
The rise in demand, he says, is fueled by politics.
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"Because every time somebody talks about banning (high-capacity magazines) everybody wants to buy one," Dennis says. "Like I said when Trump was in office he kind of got owners feeling at ease. 'Oh, there's going to be no new gun laws.' And sales dropped like 20% every year he was in office almost."
But now, high-capacity magazines, semi-automatic pistols and assault rifles are in demand.
"There were ," the
So why do people want and AR-15 so badly right now?
"Because someone tells them they shouldn't have one," Dennis said laughing.
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Dennis says some customers are leaving deposits and getting on waiting lists to get a gun when the manufacturer can meet the demand.
The House of Representatives passed two bills on Thursday to require background checks on all firearms sales and transfers and to allow an expanded 10-day review for gun purchases. The bills have a chance of also passing in the Senate, but will need significant bipartisan support to pass, The Associated Press reports.
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