LV gun dealers expect sales to increase

Brian Seals

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998 | 11:53 a.m.

Politics makes for strange bedfellows -- even in business.

That's especially true when it comes to gun control. Gun control proponents pass laws. This causes gun control opponents to buy more guns before those laws become effective.

The looming implementation of an automated background check system that becomes effective Nov. 30 has Las Vegas-area firearms stores predicting such a sales rush.

They're also expressing discontent with the law.

"We've seen an increase in the concern, not so much in the amount of sales," said Ron Montoya of Shooters World.

But he and other area gun dealers expect that to change as the end of November approaches.

The new system is part of the Brady Bill that became effective in 1994. It institutes an automated background check called the National Instant Background Computer Check System, of NICS, operated by the FBI, that is supposed to work similar to a credit card check.

The system is aimed at instant approval, rather than the current five-day wait requirement now in effect for handguns. However, the new system also applies to shotguns and rifles, weapons previously free from such federal checks.

And that is what is sparking concern. Nationally, some areas are already seeing increased sales.

"We're seeing quite an increase," said Richard Feldman, director of the Atlanta-based American Shooting Sports Council. "I think the real frenzy will show up in November. It's an incredible buying season for long guns."

Some Las Vegas gun stores have yet to see a sales surge on long guns.

"On the handgun deal we did, but on shotguns and rifles we haven't seen it yet," said Mike O' Donoghue of Discount Firearms. "Maybe we'll see it in the last month."

Similarly, Bob Irwin of the Gun Store said he has yet to see an increase, but expects one.

"I don't expect we'll see the impact for another four weeks," Irwin said. "I expect we will in about a week or 10 days prior to enactment."

Feldman said the increase in sales in part stemmed from concern about whether FBI computers will be able to handle the load during peak buying season.

Many states, including Nevada, already have background check systems in place.

In Nevada customers pay a $15 fee for the check, a practice derided by most gun store owners, who call it a "gun tax."

Feldman said some states will have to reconsider if they want to continue doing the same type of checks the FBI is already doing.