Increase in gun sales since Paris terror attacks

Holiday shopping lists this year, for many people, includes a firearm. Gun store owners across the nation and here in Texas are reporting an increase in sales since the terror attacks in Paris.

Central Texas Gun works is among the locations in Austin to report an increase in sales. Store owner Michael Cargill says the spike started shortly after the attacks in Paris and the bulk of the guns he sold were off his website.

"So what they are doing is making sure they are prepared, they are getting their firearms and ammunition to make sure their family is going to be safe,” said Cargill.

Among those buying a gun the day after Thanksgiving were Shannon West and a friend. West told FOX 7 she was getting a gift for her husband and the purchase was not entirely motivated by what happened in Paris.

"I don’t think it made me want to come here but it made me justify my decision,” said West.

Cargill has also noticed another trend he spotted at the firing range where he trains those who applied for a concealed hand gun license.

"People actually come into classes that are actually taking a class, even before they even purchase a gun so they can find out what gun they need to buy,” said Cargill.

This increase in sales is also putting more pressure on the screen process.

Last year Cargill’s review process red flagged a man caught on security video. The man had just been released from a hospital, was upset, and wanted a gun along with ammunition.

"That guy he definitely had bad intentions. He definitely intended to go into that hospital right here on South 1st and shoot and kill everyone at the hospital that he possible could,” said Cargill.

That’s not to say CHL permit holders do not commit crimes. Data collected by the Texas Department of Public Safety identified those with a CHL who were convicted for a major crime in 2013.

You can see the full date report here (pdf).

Of the more than 50,000 cases recorded, 158 involved someone with a CHL.

For Cargill, that report and new threats of terrorism are not enough to justify increasing gun control laws.

"The crazies are going to getting the guns, people are going to get guns through the black market illegally what they are going to do is actually make it harder for law abiding citizens from purchasing that firearm."