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Tampa Gun Show Draws Crowds

Tribune photo by LAURA FRAZIER

Scott Patrick, general manager of Shoot Straight gun shop and range on US-301 across from the Florida State Fairgrounds, said his gun sales have increased dramatically since the presidential election in November and enrollment has doubled in the concealed weapons classes he offers. There is an increased demand for guns of all kinds, including the semiautomatic assault rifles he is shown with in this photo.

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2008

TAMPA - The Tampa Gun Show at the Florida State Fairgrounds is seeing record crowds this weekend -- fueled, in part, by fears that the Obama administration will ban assault weapons.

"The crowds are just unbelievable. It's really busy in there," said Connie Thomas, of Valrico, on Saturday. "And when you walk through, you keep hearing one word over and over again: Obama."

Throngs of people packed the parking lot and swamped the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center. Inside, hundreds of gun dealers and private collectors displayed an imposing cache of handguns, rifles, ammunition and accessories for sale or trade.

The gun show wraps up at 4 p.m today. The Sunday crowd was expected to be heavy, too.

Many people at the show Saturday said they believe the Obama administration will try to push through legislation introduced by Congress in 2007 banning the manufacture, sale and possession of semiautomatic rifles and ammunition. Many fear Obama will try to broaden the ban to include additional classifications of weapons and ammo.

"People are hedging their bets against the possibility that law-abiding citizens won't be able to buy guns or ammunition to protect themselves," said Stephen Lyons of Sarasota, an NRA-certified firearms instructor.

The gun show runs through 4 p.m. today at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Highway 301 N. Admission is $8 for adults. Children younger than 12 get in free. Those younger than 18 must come with an adult.

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