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Law enforcement, dealers say Iowa gun sales on the rise

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January 25th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Law enforcement and gun dealers say that they are seeing a rise in gun sales and applications for carry permits in Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System says Iowa had 25,941 firearm background checks conducted in December 2015, more than in any other month last year.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Department says it saw about 1,000 more gun carry permit applications than usual last month. Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew says he believes that influx is the result of rising safety concerns following high-profile gun crimes.

Tom Hudson, manager of CrossRoads Shooting Sports in Johnston, says the number of new customers at his shop quadrupled last month, and he’s surprised that gun sales have not dropped off since the usual holiday increase.