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Florida sees increase in request for gun permits

Gun sales

Requests for gun permits have increased in Florida since the November election.

"Gun sales always go up when a Democratic president comes in office, and normally that's because the Democratic Party has traditionally been anti-gun," said Butch Ford, owner of Sapp's Pawn Gun and Archery Shop in Gainesville, which has been open for 50 years.

He said now that President Obama has secured a second term, the president has "nothing to lose" from toughening gun-control laws.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported a rise in gun permits being processed after elections. The day after Nov. 6, there were 3,019 requests for background checks.

"The biggest surge in gun sales right now is happening with personal protection-type guns," Ford said, "and I believe that that has to do with the state of our economy."

He also said he's seen an increase in the amount of women buying handguns for protection.

Lauren Knight said she has a lot of cops in her family and that they believe in the right to bear arms.

"If I did not have that right, I'd probably find other means to protect myself," Knight said.

Ford cited the Boy Scouts motto: "be prepared."

"Things could change dramatically, and people are preparing themselves for that, even if it doesn't happen," he said.

Katherine Hahn wrote this story online. 

Luis is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.