Why the gun industry secretly loves Obama

Sales of firearms have surged since he took office


Reasons given in the surge in sales range from paranoia about the economy to certainty President Obama will be draconian in his approach to firearms in a second term.

By Joshua Green
updated 9/5/2011 11:25:14 AM ET 2011-09-05T15:25:14

Rick Perry’s emergence as the front runner for the Republican Presidential nomination would seem like a coup for the gun industry. The Texas governor’s enthusiasm for firearms rivals Yosemite Sam’s. He has an A+ rating from the Texas State Rifle Association and packs a laser-sighted Ruger pistol when he jogs. Last year, he famously shot a coyote that threatened his dog during a run. To commemorate his act of valor, the manufacturer, Sturm, Ruger & Co., produced a lightweight, limited-edition “Coyote Specialâ€