Thursday, August 18, 2011
Associated Press
DAYTON
Ohio has seen a jump in FBI background checks on prospective firearms buyers, and gun-rights groups say explanations include the economy, changes in laws and the popularity of sport-shooting.
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System shows the FBI ran nearly 248,000 checks for firearm purchases in Ohio during the first seven months of this year, up 17.7 percent from the same period in 2010, the Dayton Daily News reported for a Wednesday article..
Though not all background checks lead to purchases, they’re seen as a way of measuring gun buys because federally licensed gun-sellers are required to perform them during sales, the newspaper reported.
The chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association says more people want to own guns because of fears about the economy and whether riots like the recent ones in England could happen here. High unemployment and underemployment and turmoil in other countries have led to a “growing feeling that we are going to have unrest in this country,” chairman Jim Irvine said. “People want to be prepared.”
He also believes sales are spurred by concern that new gun restrictions might be imposed.
Other gun-rights groups point to more relaxed handgun regulations in the state.
The number of concealed handgun licenses issued in 2010 was down 24 percent from 2009. But last year still had the second-highest number of licenses issued since a concealed carry law took effect in 2004, according to Ohio’s attorney general’s office.
The president of a shooting-supply store believes sales are climbing as more people enjoy firing ranges.
“We are seeing a growth in the industry that may have been spurred by fear, but now it’s just an enjoyable recreation,” said Evan English, president of Olde English Outfitters in Tipp City.
Gun-control supporters argue that an increase in gun sales simply means that existing gun owners are buying more guns.
Toby Hoover, executive director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, says overall gun purchases are declining and “a lot of rhetoric and fear from the gun lobby about government taking their guns away” must be prompting gun owners to buy more firearms.