Gun sales surge in wake of Aurora theater shooting

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. – Gun sales are up at the first gun show in metro Denver since the Aurora theater shooting last week.

The event’s promoter says sales climbed about 5 percent at the Douglas County Fairground show, though specific numbers weren’t immediately available.

Firearm sales are surging across the country, as well.

Some say they fear for their personal safety and also new government restrictions on guns.

“It was just a matter of time before advocates for gun control come out of the woodwork,” says gun owner, Chad Booth of Parker.

Gun owners knew they’d be in the crosshairs of the gun control debate–through no fault of their own.

“I don’t think it would have changed things had there been a stricter gun policy in place,” says gun show visitor Ben Fox.

They knew the massacre in Aurora would lead to calls restricting types of guns and capacity of clips.

The shooting suspect, James Holmes, was armed with a military-style assault rifle and 100-round magazine.

“A 100 round clip…I don’t know what the purpose of that would be. It doesn’t serve any purpose for me,” says Booth.

They’re the same types of guns and clips sold at a gun show in Douglas County.

“One-hundred bullet clips is ridiculous. That’s a little much. But people like that kind of stuff,” says Danielle Ochoa of Lakewood. She does not support any further gun restrictions.

“I guess there wouldn’t be a purpose for that (100-bullet clips). But I’m just saying, the way our politicians work it will be whittled down to nothing. Either we have the Second Amendment or we don’t,” says Arlen Vanalstyne.

Some gun owners here say they don’t need high-capacity clips and weapons, but others might.

Besides, they say further restrictions would have made little difference.

“I don’t think it really matters that the guy had a 100-round magazine. He could have done it with three magazines. Swapping them out doesn’t take much time,” says Fox.

The alleged killer had legally bought his guns, so some gun owners say the answer might be better mental health evaluations and care.

“Since he seemed to be a psychotic, that we could have gotten him put on a restriction list. So he wouldn’t be able to buy weapons like that. If he is in a mental state,” says Chuck Conaway of Elizabeth.

There is no proof the suspect is insane.

But Colorado is one of four states that have no laws addressing firearms possession by individuals with a history of mental illness treatment or a legal finding of incompetence.

Some here say had someone had a concealed weapon on them during the mass shooting, it could have changed the outcome.

Others say the killer’s body armor would have shielded him.

(Video originally aired on FOX31 Denver)