Fear of harsher restrictions causes gun sales to spike

(KXMB TV) - Ten months after President Obama took office, more people in North Dakota are buying guns. The reason for the spike is they fear the administration will soon impose harsher restrictions. Rick Jorgensen believes in the right to carry a gun. So much that he's training to help others get their concealed weapons permits.

“But the main reason is self defense and I feel awful silly not having a firearm if I needed one.”

13,347 people hold North Dakota concealed weapon permits. That number has doubled from five years ago and has made a substantial jump from last year.

"A lot of it is the perception that the current administration is not necessary to the ownership and they're concerned the ownership."

It may be the same reason gun sales have also spiked.

"From when Obama took office, gun sales went up 40%. The day after the election, I came in and had a fair supply of A-R's and the day after they were all sold out."

Brandon Charvat owner of Mandan Sporting Goods says sportsmen in particular are concerned the Democratic President could ban A-R's, this military looking automatic rifle.

"Everybody gets a fear in them that they're going to start banning stuff like when Clinton was in office.”

It's a trend across the country, but especially in an outdoor state like North Dakota. Expanding the concealed weapons law in North Dakota may be one reason for the increase in permits. The change happened in august.

There are now two classes. You have to pass a background and written test for both class one and two permits. For class two, you also need to pass a shooting performance test. The change allows you to carry a concealed weapon into more states.

"There's always a concern by law enforcement, who's carrying concealed, but how the process is set up is we have a solid process that makes sure that people who do have the right to carry concealed should be able to."

23 states have reciprocity agreements with North Dakota. State leaders are working with 11 more on the issue.