Valley affected little by Obama gun scare

McALLEN — Bucking the national trend, there is no perceived increase in gun sales, although some local gun enthusiasts are concerned that President-elect Barack Obama may limit rights and create weapon bans.

According to FBI data, the total number of requests for background checks Nov. 3 to 9 have gone up almost 49 percent from last year.

But in the Valley, there are smaller crowds at gun shows and no more buyers than in years past, said Greg "Weasel" Wessels, a gun show coordinator.

"We had a much bigger crowd last year," Wessels said, describing a gun show he organized at the Nomad Shrine Club in Pharr. "There's been a slowdown."

About 40 people showed up at the event Nov. 15, with few making any purchases from vendors.

Still, some talked about memos released by the National Rifle Association claiming that Obama plans to re-enact an assault weapons ban.

"There's been a lot of response on (the memos)," Wessels said. "A lot of people here are very active and informed with the NRA."

The latest ban was enacted in 1994 by the Clinton administration, which restricted semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips. President George W. Bush's administration allowed the bill to expire in 2004.

Obama has discussed re-enacting the ban, though he has also emphasized a respect for the right to bear arms.

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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.