DaytonDailyNews.com

TROY — Despite a troubled economy, business is good at the Olde English Gun Shoppe where November sales should exceed projections by 15 percent to 20 percent.

The store is advertising sales tied to the start of deer-hunting season later this month. But another factor apparently is President-elect Obama's stance on gun control.

Obama has said he respects Americans' Second Amendment right to bear arms, but he favors "common sense" gun laws. Gun rights advocates interpret that as meaning he'll at least enact curbs on ownership of assault and concealed weapons.

"We're selling everything," Evan English said Wednesday, Nov. 12. The overall increase "cannot all be contributed to hunting season and advertising," he said.

According to the FBI, which does background checks of those who purchase firearms from licensed dealers, the number of checks for the week of Nov. 3-9 is 49 percent higher than the same week last year.

The number of checks on gun purchasers jumped from September to October by 26 percent.

From September to October 2007, the number of checks rose 11 percent.

English said some customers have spoken about concerns about new gun restrictions. But others are making economic decisions, purchasing Christmas presents while they have the cash, English said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2057 or lgrieco@DaytonDailyNews.com.