Gun sales up in California

As we look back on 2015, guns have been a big talker this year. In California, gun sales are on the rise despite tough restrictions, and many say they’re not surprised.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the number of handguns sold in California doubled between 2010 and 2014.

The Central Coast is no stranger to this upward trend. Inside Del Valle Gunsmithing in Marina, business is booming. The owner, Ray Parga, said gun sales are up 50 percent this month compared to last year.

“Mainly smaller, 9 millimeters, .40 calibers, primarily for self defense,” Parga said.

Parga said the San Bernardino massacre is driving sales.

“People are scared,” Parga said. “So people that never wanted a gun before, or never thought they’d own a gun, now they’re just nervous. So they’re wanting to buy a gun before they can’t, which is usually the case after mass shootings and the president talking about wanting more legislation.”

With more guns in the Golden State, long-time gun owner Denver Dale said he’s not worried.

“No, not at all,” Dale said. “The vast majority of gun owners are responsible. I know that the requirements for gun ownership have gone up significantly since I bought my first gun.”

The Zalan family feels otherwise.

“The more guns available, the more potential for violence there is,” Steve Zalan said.

“It’s a very frightening prospect that there’s camps that say… well we combat gun violence by arming more people,” Beverly Zalan said. “Eventually, you just get this escalation of the amount of firepower that’s on the street.”

When it comes to regulating guns, politicians are challenged with all kinds of viewpoints, constitutional rights, and of course, safety.

Over the past few years, California has established some of the toughest gun laws in the country — banning the sale of large-capacity magazines, banning assault weapons, and requiring universal background checks.

Pending legislation pushed by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom could further the restrictions. Newsom wants background checks for ammunition purchases and he wants to ban the possession of large-capacity magazines.

But the Zalans say something is still not working, and they believe it’s not a state issue, but a national one.

“What’s very frustrating to us is that we’re living in a country where everyone agrees there’s a problem, yet we disagree on the solution,” Steve Zalan said.