U.S. Senate Gun Ruling Has Pro-Gun Groups Worried

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – A decision in July fell just two votes shy of passing the Senate. Now, people with concealed weapon permits in one state must get another in the state they are travelling to, or traveling through. Utah or Florida concealed weapons permits are valid in 30 other states.

The Coachella Valley Security Academy offers a course to get those permits. The process costs between $150 and $250.

“These are people that are traveling or that do visit some of the other states. They’ll stop in, get their training, and then they’ll be covered if they pass through the other states,” Johnnie Woods, Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Security Academy, said.

Anti-gun groups say the Senate’s decision will keep the public safe. Concealed weapons permit holders have killed 44 people andseven police officers over the last two years.

Torrey Harris is the owner of Condor Gun Shop in Desert Hot Springs. She says the numbers are skewed.

“The number of people who did not have those concealed weapon permits is going to be much, much higher,” says Harris.

The Senate’s decision underscores months of worry by pro-gun groups about the future of gun control. Gun sales have spiked since the November election. Some store like the Security Academy have sold out of guns and certain ammunition. Some jokingly calling the President the firearm salesman of the year.

“There gonna find a way to outlaw them even though it will be against the constitution. But if they don’t outlaw guns they’ll outlaw ammunition.”

It’s unclear how the Senate’s decision will effect sales. But many gun owners are bracing for the worst.

“It didn’t make it this time I am sure it may come back at some future date but it doesn’t seem to be something that’s hindering, one, the sale of guns or people continuing to get their training,” says Woods.