While most people use the phrase “thanks, Obama” to accentuate an area of social decline, or policy failure, this time it’s being used somewhat sincerely by gun dealers, who say the president’s rhetoric is doing nothing but driving up their profit margins. At one gun show in Benton, Arkansas, attendance on the first day almost reached that of the entire weekend last year (via Fox 16):
Hamid Pezeshk loves guns. He's been going to gun shows for awhile.Despite tougher gun sale restrictions put in place earlier this year, he said he is selling more guns than normal.
"We have the best gun sales man in The White House. Every time he talks about gun control people freak out and buy more guns" said Pezeshk.
Officials said more than 2,400 people went to the Knife and Gun Show in Benton Saturday. Last year, 3,200 people went to the show over the entire weekend.
[…]
Pezeshk said he does not mind President Obama's tougher gun control law on gun shows.
"I love that aspect of it because that way I know who the gun is going to," he said.
He has a gun business in Bauxite. He said more people are buying guns for protection.
"It is not the law enforcement jobs to protect us 24/7, it is not possible. It's your job, my job to protect our own family," he said.
In Iowa and Delaware, gun sales are surging. Permit applications are also on the rise across the country, especially with women. Since Obama’s presidency, Americans have bought over 100 million guns.