Pawn shops see rise in stock, tout holiday discountsPhoenix Business Journal - by Chris Casacchia

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Mark Ransom, manager of the Maxit Pawn & Retail store in Phoenix, prepares a shipment of gold to be melted down.
View Larger Fearing an inventory surplus, pawn shops and secondhand stores are offering plenty of bargains and sales this holiday season.

But don’t expect big deals at your neighborhood gun shop, one of the few industries unaffected by the recession. In fact, business is booming as gun aficionados and enthusiasts snap up Smith & Wessons, Rugers and Glocks before President-elect Barack Obama takes office.

“Gun sales are through the roof,â€