LAS VEGAS - Gun sales are surging in the valley. Las Vegas gun shops are seeing record sales and have run out of several types of guns.
Gun store owners say most customers are buying gun models that are being discussed in the gun control debate.
The Strip Gun Club displays some of those firearms on its wall, but many are only available for rent, because the business ran out of its models available for sale.
The Gun Store owner Bob Irwin, meanwhile, says they've sold out of many of the guns and ammunition that are being discussed regarding possible bans.
He says most of his customers are first time buyers who aren't buying for protection, but they want to get their hands on a gun that might not be available in a few weeks.
Sales have increased five-fold since last year. If you want some firearms, you might be out of luck. The Gun Store has some on consignment, but they're priced three times the retail value.
Buying guns wholesale also may be difficult, because manufacturers have slowed production.
"If you're the manufacturer, and you're making AR-15s, are you going to rush order another 20,000 of them through production when before you get them done it could be illegal to sell them?" said Irwin.
One customer saw another problem. Rodrigo Santa Cruz waited more than eight months to buy a specialty hand gun. The delay wasn't due to background checks or the gun control debate, but because the manufacturer was backlogged with gun purchases.
"They won a recent government contract, so they're backed up in terms of the manufacturing, because they're overwhelmed with orders from the government," he said. "Federal orders take precedent to civilians. That's why we have to wait a bit longer."
Irwin says every type of gun has seen an increase in sales, because there is also some confusion from buyers regarding what's happening in the political realm.
