Despite sales slump, Arizona gun store owners remain positive under Trump

PHOENIX — Gun manufacturers around the country are reporting a sales slump for the first time since President Donald Trump took office, and the owner of an Arizona gun store says he is seeing the same trend.

Dan Todd, co-owner of AZ Firearms in Avondale, said his shop has seen a 35 percent decrease in sales since Trump was elected.

But Todd said he is encouraged that gun sales will be on the uptick once again because the Trump Administration is “all for proper gun safe handling and responsibly-armed citizens.”

Gun sales have been on somewhat of a roller-coaster ride this year, with profits rebounding from an initial slump following the November election.

According to recent stock reports, that rebound appears to have been short-lived.

Todd said his shop was prepared for a loss in sales if Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton did not get elected because there is “no more threat.”

“We knew that there was going to be a down turn because we got a pro-gun president,” Todd said. “Of course we like to make money — it is our livelihood — but I would rather have a free state [and] a free country.”

Plus, Todd said, the people who are coming into the store are much more relaxed.

First-time gun purchasers are coming in because they’re interested in purchasing a gun for protection or because they’re getting into hunting or shooting as a hobby and just want to enjoy it, he said.

“They’re not coming in because they feel they’re threatened or they’re worried they’re going to lose their gun rights,” Todd said.

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