No rush in Wyo to stock weapons

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By DUSTIN BLEIZEFFER
Star-Tribune staff writer
with staff and wire reports Tuesday, September 14, 2004




GILLETTE -- When Wyoming gun enthusiasts talk about cosmetics and accessories, they're not speaking the fashion language of glitter scarves and oversized bracelets.

They're talking about high-capacity magazines, flash suppressors and collapsible stocks -- all contraband under a weapons ban that expired Monday.

The 1994 Federal Violent Crime Control Act that outlawed the sale of the Colt AR-15, the AK-47 and 17 other types of assault weapons was allowed to expire on Monday.

But don't expect a big rush on gun stores to stock every pickup window rack in Wyoming with a high-powered semi-automatic. There have always been plenty to go around. Many gun enthusiasts in the state say the expiration of the assault weapons ban is mostly a symbolic end to an ineffective law that threatened to undermine the right to bear arms.

"This law was just good for the gun dealers," said Dave Zerbe of Casper, who traded guns for 37 years. "When they outlawed 18-round clips, all that did was put the clip from $18 to $80. All it did was make the gun dealers a lot of money."

Don Gaitan, owner of The Pawn Shop in Jackson, said the expiration of the assault weapons ban will affect his prices because of an increased volume.

"We have boats waiting off shore, just waiting to come in (to the United States) here at midnight," Gaitan said Monday. "When they hit the docks, oh, man, it'll be nuts."
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http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/09/14/news/wyoming/d1ac64c62f6de1e087256f0f00096af3.txt