SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The following was released by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):
Mirroring a nationwide trend, retail sales of firearms in Illinois skyrocketed in the weeks since Election Day. Whereas many states saw gun sales increases in the neighborhood of 10-20%, Illinois gun owners outpaced their November 2007 gun purchases by a full 38%.
According to figures compiled by the Illinois State Police, 24,076 background checks were conducted in November 2008 — a considerable plus-up from the 17,363 conducted in November 2007 and the 17,249 conducted in November 2006. Illinois gun dealers report that sales have remained brisk throughout Thanksgiving weekend with many customers acquiring several firearms at a time along with sizeable quantities of ammunition.
“In recent days, I’ve been in contact with gun dealers from across the state,” said Richard Pearson, president of the ISRA. “Without exception, they are reporting significant increases in customer traffic since Election Day. As seen in other states, semiautomatic rifles and pistols sold out first. Likewise for popular ammunition calibers such as .223, .308, 7.62×39, and 9mm. Dealers report that, at this point in time, customers are scooping up whatever gun models haven’t sold out. They’ll take any gun left in stock.”
