The debate surrounding the Second Amendment is making a comeback as Election Day nears and voters at McBride's Guns in Austin were passionate about their guns.
Store managers said sales at McBride's Guns have shot up over the last six months thanks to the person who would have least wished it to happen.
Voter Roger Mendelson said the increased gun sales recently has more to do with who is likely to take charge of the White House and gun owners are planning ahead.
"Mr. Obama voted for a severe handgun regulation in the state of Illinois," Mendelson said.
Gun enthusiasts say they're afraid that's an indication what's to come in an Obama presidency. So they're stocking up before Election Day.
Douglas Caroselli said he's simply more confident with McCain in office when it comes to gun ownership.
"Mr. McCain has been out there and seen the world and knows why we have the Second Amendment. I don't have that confidence whatsoever with Obama," he said.
Caroselli said everyone has a right to protect themselves and others. A few years ago he had an eye-opening experience.
"I pulled up to a gas station one day and there were two men beating another with clubs," he said.
He then approached the men in his car and honked his horn. Caroselli chased away the men without ever having to pull out his gun. But he says knowing he had a gun was what mattered.
"Our law enforcement is there to serve. But normally they're there at the crime scene after it's occurred, not while it's occurring," Caroselli said.
For Mendelson, owning a gun is not so much about protection but for sport.
"I'm a sportsman. I enjoy being outside with my dog and my son, and we hunt, and we fish, and we hike, and we have a good time outside," Mendelson said. "Handguns and shotguns and rifles are part of our fun."
Mendelson said gun control may not be as big an issue as the economy but he still wouldn't support a president who compromises the constitution.
"I think people ought to have the right to bear arms," he said.
It's a controversy coming into greater focus as the candidates aim for the White House.
Obama said he believes in the constitutional right to bear arms but he endorsed a handgun ban in Illinois, later saying he supported it because it would take illegal guns off the streets.
 |  |
 | |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Voters' Voices: Firing line
 The debate surrounding the Second Amendment is making a comeback as Election Day nears.



|  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
|
While McCain has said in the past he does not own a gun, he has voted against various gun bans including opposition to restrictions on assault rifles and on ammunition.