Surge in Colorado gun sales

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation sent me this information about firearms purchases over the weekend following last Friday’s deadly shooting in the Aurora theater.

According to the CBI, “The following is a snapshot of the number of background checks conducted by CBI’s InstaCheck Unit over the weekend along with the approximate averages for the sames periods in 2011 and 2012 to offer a perspective of the stats for the month of July.”

Friday Approvals for July 20, 2012 is 1,216, Friday Averages in July 2012 is 972, Friday Averages in July 2011 is 710

Saturday Approvals for July 21, 2012 is 1,243, Saturday Averages, July 2012 is 1,007, Saturdays Averages in July 2011 is 705

Sunday Approvals for July 22, 2012 is 428, Sunday Averages in July 2012 is 338, Sunday Averages in July 2011 is 222.

As you can see based on the numbers from the CBI, there is a surge in firearms sales. However, there could be other factors in play than reaction to the Aurora tragedy. Shootin’ Den owner Laura Cambron tells me, “It’s not only because of what happened in Aurora. It’s because of what’s happening in the upcoming election, people wondering if we’re going to have the right to concealed carry.”

Cambron also says some of her patrons told her, “Customer after customer came in and all asked this question. If there was one armed person in there (the theater) or two in there if a difference would have been made.”

The Shootin’ Den owner also believes that there’s also been a spike in the number of hunters getting ready for the season and more importantly, “Not every customer who walks in here is looking to buy a gun to protect themselves with.”