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An AR-15 assault rifle is shown at AZFirearms.com. (Jim Cross/KTAR

PHOENIX -- A Newtown, Conn. school shooting has apparently pushed Valley residents to purchase more firearms.

AZFirearms.com in Avondale saw sales over the weekend triple from the typical weekend. The big sellers were handguns and AR-15 semi-automatic rifles.

Cheryl Todd with AZFirearms.com said some of the rush could be the holiday shopping season, but not all. The customers were a mixture of people looking for personal protection and people who fear that gun restrictions are coming.

"Some people expressed to us that they wanted to buy a gun while they still can," she said. "We saw families shopping together. These are middle mainstream Americans, not people you would expect on the fringe."

Dan Todd said some customers are worried about the possibility of gun restrictions and new laws. He didn't see this level of sales or concern about gun restrictions following last summer's shootings at a theatre in Aurora, Colo.

Todd said he feels Americans are going to see an attempt to reinstitute the Clinton-era assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.

"I don't know if [gun control advocates] are going to be successful," he said. "It's not needed, but that's what some people who are uneducated about firearms want to do."

Jim Cross, Reporter

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  • Abuse
    wrote...
    No gun control....
    December 18, 2012 4:23 am
    No gun control measures would have stopped the CT shootings because the guns were NOT registered to the suspect. It appears that the guns were not secured which would have been the responsibility of the owner.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Gun control advocates have been
    December 18, 2012 7:06 am
    perennially active in seeking to ensure public safety through responsible gun control legislation. They've been beaten back at every turn by gun nuts, the NRA and cowardly state and federal legislators. Till now. One can't but help but note the NRA's vacation from comment on the slaughter of tiny tots by their favored, worshiped assault weapons.
  • Abuse
    azsiouxboy wrote...
    Micho
    December 18, 2012 9:29 am
    I agree with you on some things but I am not a Republican and I see this as a slippery slope. Look people have had since 2004 to buy AR15's if they want. Fully auto is already banned. Don't you think it is a little to late to ban them now? The horse is out of the barn but you are trying to close the door. There must be other solutions. Yes I am a gun owner. Yes I have multiple guns. Yes I use them responsibly for hunting and/or target shooting.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Not all of the horses are out of the barn.
    December 18, 2012 9:38 am
    And that is only one piece of the bigger problem. America's pervasive gun culture makes it the most violently uncivilized country with respect to gun violence among the world's industrialized nations.
  • Abuse
    OneWonders wrote...
    Hey Micho
    December 18, 2012 9:38 am
    Your beloved Obama is making cuts in Medicaid with Obamacare...you know, the Medicaid that supports people with mental health issues. Fact is, it's both sides at fault so stop trying to make the Republicans look like they are the only ones at fault. I know you could never point the finger at Obama but this blood is all over Obama's hands too. Time to put on your big boy pants and face the reality. But you are too ignorant to do that. Have fun with your continued lies.
    Equal Justice, Not Social Justice.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Don't think so, 1:1. Pros in the field say
    December 18, 2012 9:49 am
    the following: "Although many...provisions will take years to...implement, this is Psych Central's analysis of the Affordable Care Act, as it pertains to mental health care: Mental health care will become more accessible...With more people obtaining either private insurance or joining an expanded Medicaid program, the bet is that more people...have inexpensive access to mental health treatment. People won't be denied coverage based upon their pre-existing condition.This is huge for many people with mental health concerns." Obama has to work against Republican resistance.
  • Abuse
    yrreta wrote...
    Micho "People won't be denied coverage...
    December 18, 2012 10:42 am
    based upon their pre-existing condition. This is huge for many people with mental health concerns." The only problem with this, most people with mental health issues don't think they have issues, and are not concerned. It takes the pushing of friends, family, co-workers, etc. to get involved and help the person seek help. But many times people won't help/get involved for fear of being a victim of a law suit in our sue happy, responsibility dodging Country.
  • Abuse
    No more war wrote...
    OH GREAT! ...Now we can expect MORE shootings!
    December 18, 2012 11:02 am
    ....OH GREAT! ...Now we can expect MORE shootings! ....STRICTER GUN CONTROL NOW, NOW, NOW!!
    --> Listen to: 1480 AM, KPHX!...The Valley's Progressive Talk Radio for Phoenix!
  • Abuse
    Steve wrote...
    Michos anti american rants
    December 18, 2012 11:12 am
    Rights for illegals none for americans.
  • Abuse
    OneWonders wrote...
    Mental Health and Micho
    December 18, 2012 12:13 pm
    Here you go Micho, looks like your mental health attempt at an argument and blaming republicans will slow down some. http://ktar.com/22/1596265/Arizona-lawmakers-to-review-drug-settlement Here's to $4 million additional dollars going towards mental illness, dementia and development and learning disorders!!!
    Equal Justice, Not Social Justice.

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