Gun store owner wants better background checks

GULF BREEZE, Fla. (WALA) - Now that President Barack Obama has revealed a series of gun proposals he would like Congress to consider passing into law, we wanted feedback from gun shop owners about those changes.

One Gulf Breeze gun shop owner offered some insight.

Duke "L.D." McCaa II and his father have been in the gun business since the 1980s. They specialize in investment-grade firearms and big game hunting rifles.

Someone going on Safari and looking to take down an elephant could find what they need at McCaa's gun shop.

"Our business has been good. I don't think our guns are the kind of guns people have been hearing about in the news, but I think anybody interested in getting a gun is making the move to get a gun right now," said Duke "L.D." McCaa said, co-owner of Gulf Breeze Firearms.

McCaa's had a day to digest President Obama’s ideas. McCaa said he agrees with the President's idea for more thorough background checks.

"Law enforcement should have easier and better access if they're going to do background checks," said McCaa.

He said the changes President Obama wants to see happen don't necessarily threaten him as a business owner.

"There was lots of smart things in there that I think are common sense approaches," said McCaa.

On the other hand McCaa said some of the proposals are far reaching.

"It’s going to require political (leaders) will to get them done, and I'm not sure that exists in politics today anyway," said McCaa.

While the debate gets underway, a lesson in economics is taking place in this gun shop, like many others across the country.

"Well I think these guns and magazines are at artificially high prices because of this panic. It's been a self fulfilling prophecy, everybody thought guns were going to be hard to get so they scrambled to get them and as a result they're hard to get," said McCaa.

And it seems everybody suddenly wants a gun.

"I had a lady, which you might describe as a church lady, a lady that reminded me of my grandma asking me about high capacity magazines and pistols," said McCaa.

One of President Obama's goals is to limit semi-automatic rifles which have a removable magazine and at least two of five other characteristics.

"And obviously everybody thinks of the same kind of thing: a black gun with a pistol grip, maybe an extended magazine, a Colt or Bushmaster AR-15," said McCaa.

Asked what makes these guns stand out or more dangerous than any other type of gun, McCaa said, "You tell me, I don't know."

Although he did offer one explanation: the black military-style rifles are iconic and portrayed in media like movies and video games.

President Obama also wants to renew the 10-round ammunition limit in magazines sold with guns.

"I don't think it affects the function of that gun or make them any safer or our streets safer because you or I can't find a magazine that holds ten rounds," said McCaa.

McCaa points out that higher capacity gun clips that use to be sold only to law enforcement are already in the market and can easily be purchased legally.

He credits improving economic confidence among consumers for his increase in business, the best sales season since 2008.

The gun control debate is still at an early stage of discussion, we'll keep our eye out for any changes.