SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Business is booming at gun ranges and gun shops across the country, and many are using the Christmas season as a way to gift a firearm.
“We’re doing an increase, most of the state is doing an increase,” said Mark Poirier, a firearm safety instructor with the Agawam Revolvers Club and a firearm dealer.
Amid fear of terrorism, and the perceived threat of changing gun laws, firearms are topping Christmas lists, especially among women.
“Women are already at a disadvantage because of their size,” said Jennifer V., who’s licensed to carry in Massachusetts. “If anything were to happen, someone comes to their house or carjackings, there are so many issues out there right now that you need that.”
Last month, the FBI ran more than 2.2 million firearm background checks for potential buyers; 24% more than November 2014.
Federal Law allows you to buy a gun and later give it as a gift, or “transfer” it in your own state. In Massachusetts, the person receiving the firearm also needs to be licensed.
Although, rather than deal with transfer time and paperwork, dealers just recommend you buy a gift card, and let the recipient come down and register the gun from the get-go.
Poirier said for most dealers, someone looking to buy a gun for another person is a red flag. So, there’s a good chance out of precaution, they would ask you to come back with the intended owner, so they can just register right there with the dealer.
