KIRO NEWSRADIO

Zombies are among reasons for increased gun sales

Nov 30, 2012, 2:44 PM | Updated: Oct 11, 2024, 1:00 pm

A gun rights advocate tells Ross and Burbank zombies are just one of the reasons gun sales are soar...

A gun rights advocate tells Ross and Burbank zombies are just one of the reasons gun sales are soaring. (AP image)

(AP image)

Gun sales are soaring across the country. The FBI reported earlier this week requests for background checks skyrocketed 20 percent on Black Friday over the same day last year. A noted gun rights advocate says zombies are just one reason why.

“There is I guess, you would call it a cottage industry that’s sprung up in the last couple of years,” Dave Workman of the Second Amendment Foundation and editor of The Gun Mag said in an interview with Ross and Burbank.

He’s not kidding.

“A lot of people appear to be really enthralled by this. I’ve seen lines of zombie targets, I know one or two ammunition companies have introduced boxes, lines of cartridges they called zombie cartridges, shotgun shells and rifle shells.”

But clearly other more serious worries are playing a much bigger factor. Workman is co-author of a book called “America Fights Back,” and says more people are arming themselves for protection.

“They’re defending themselves because they know that even though the police try to do a real good job…when seconds count as they say the police are minutes are away. People have decided ‘Hey I can’t wait for the cavalry to come to my rescue I’ve got to defend myself and my family and my home,'” he said.

The economy and fears about the feds changing gun policy after President Obama’s re-election are also sparking sales, Wade Gaughran of Wade’s Eastside Guns in Bellevue tells KING 5.

“I think (Obama’s) going to try and make something happen this time,” said Gauhran, who reported Black Friday gun sales shot up 30-35% over his expectations.

Workman agreed. And he said while he can’t be sure, he’s confident the growing gun ownership is helping to cut crime because more “intelligent” criminals know more people are packing.

“We’ve had earlier this year several incidents where burglars and at-home break-in guys were shot, a couple of them were killed.”

The numbers seem to support his argument. In Virginia, for example, gun ownership soared 73% between 2006-2011. Over the same period gun related violent crimes actually fell 24 percent.

KIRO Newsradio

camera...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘We kicked this can 7 more weeks down the unsafe city road’: Jake, Spike rip Mayor Wilson for delaying camera decision

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson resurfaced at a news conference, but her answers on surveillance cameras, left Jake and Spike unimpressed.

1 hour ago

seattle mayor junk fees rent recall approval wilson...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘You knew what you voted for’: Gee says don’t act shocked as Katie Wilson’s approval plunges amid recall effort

A new poll shows only one in three Seattle voters trust Mayor Wilson's safety plan as recall efforts intensify, and Gee Scott wonders why people are surprised.

2 hours ago

andrea suarez we heart seattle...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘As if I’m some kind of grifter’: We Heart Seattle founder fires back at state probe as Gee and Ursula press her on accountability

We Heart Seattle founder Andrea Suarez said she gave up a corporate career, invested $25,000, and spent three years picking up trash for free.

3 hours ago

Tacoma little league world series...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘We were the underdogs going in’: Tacoma Little Leaguers stun Alabama in World Series opener

Tacoma's Soundview Little League won the World Series opener 2-0 against Alabama and the parents celebrated the team's remarkable achievement on the big stage.

5 hours ago

seattle traffic...

John Curley Show

‘Too many people are dying’: Seattle Councilmember Rob Saka lays out his proposed safer streets plan

Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka joined "The John Curley Show" on KIRO Newsradio to lay out his proposed Seattle SAFER Streets Act.

6 hours ago

boeing netflix documentary...

John Curley Show

‘You failed if you weren’t safe’: KIRO hosts weigh in on Netflix doc alleging Boeing bypassed inspections

KIRO hosts analyze the Netflix documentary on Boeing's alleged inspection bypassing and its impact on safety culture.

7 hours ago

Zombies are among reasons for increased gun sales