William Godkin, 13, fires the Walther PPX 9mm handgun that belongs to his father, Jeff Godkin.

By Marty Price. Following the terrorist attack in California, President Obama addressed the country, calling for stricter gun control.  Those two events, along with targeted violence in the US, have led to a national increase in gun sales.

According to the FBI, there were 2.3 million background checks—the most reliable measure of legal gun sales—in December of 2015, compared to 2 million for the same period in 2013. Some people are opting to buy guns for their own protection, before ownership is restricted.

Tricia and Brian Sisson are the principle owners of The Range at Lake Norman, a Cornelius gun store and shooting range that opened in 2011.  Tricia said that the gun sales industry is a “very up and down, politically motivated industry.” Over the last four years they have seen historical highs—and lows.

“In December of 2015 we saw about a 40 percent increase in sales over the same period in 2014,”  Tricia Sisson said. In addition to selling guns, the business houses a state of the art, indoor shooting range with 15 lanes and teaches classes in gun safety.

Principle owners Brian and Tricia Sisson pose for a portrait in the gun store area of The Range at Lake Norman.

The Sissons encourage those who don’t yet own a firearm to not go out and get one, until they have had time to try several different ones, to ensure they are making a knowledgeable purchase.

Some customers who buy hand guns go on to take their Concealed Carry Class so that they can apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon.  The class, which includes classroom and range instruction, takes approximately eight hours and can be done in a single day or two night sessions.

Brian added that the class also comes with a one month membership to the range, so that the gun owners can practice what they have learned, to be ready for the day that they may need to use their gun.

“If you aren’t practicing, carrying (a gun) can be more detrimental than not carrying one,” he said.

Jeff Godkin isn’t sure if he will go as far as trying to get his carry permit, but he has bought his first gun.  On Jan. 16 he and his son, William, 13, came to The Range at Lake Norman to shoot his new Walther PPX 9mm semi-autimatic pistol for the first time.

New to the range, the pair watched a six-minute video on gun safety before they were issued their hearing protection and goggles.  Safety is always first when handling firearms and the range is staffed with professionals who observe and advise the less experienced to make sure all the safety rules are followed.

The pair discussed loading the weapon, stances and aiming techniques as they took turns shooting at the target.  When Jeff finished his clip, one of the staff approached him and advised him that he needed to adjust his grip to avoid catching his skin in the slide mechanism of the gun.

Jeff said he and William had shot other guns, but that the purchase was also for protection. He had tried several guns, on the advice of friends and family, before he bought the 9 mm.

When the two had finished, hitting the target with varying results, Jeff said, “He (William) is always a better shot than me.” Jeff said he planned to bring his 15-year-old daughter to shoot at the range also.

“If we are going to have a gun in the house, everyone needs to know how to use it safely,” he said, stressing that the gun wouldn’t be available to his children, but they needed to be educated on proper handling techniques.

In North Carolina, a background check is required to obtain a permit to buy a hand gun and another background check to get a Concealed Carry Permit.