According to a story in the Coeur d'Alene Press, some gun dealers in north Idaho say a spike in sales this year mirrors 2008--a presidential election year. In addition, applications this year for carrying a concealed weapon already outnumber permits granted in all of 2011.

Dealers speculate that the possible re-election of Barack Obama might have some folks fearing a spike in gun control legislation. They say the trend began before the fatal shootings at a theater in Colorado.