NEWS9 learned Tuesday that a local gun store owner is attributing an increase in assault weapons sales to the approaching election.

Shooters owner Bill Monahan said that many local gun owners are buying more assault weapons because they fear that Sen. Barack Obama will ban them if he wins the White House.

"As soon as Obama looked like he was going to be the presidential candidate, that's when the sales started going up and they've been increasing every month," Monahan said.

With only seven days until decision time, many locals admitted to NEWS9 that they're stocking up on assault weapons out of fear they'll lose the right.

"I used to only buy one at a time, but the last time I bought them I bought seven in one day," David Gwynne said.

Specifically, Monahan told NEWS9 he's seen an increase in assault weapon sales by about 50 percent.

"Lots of people think they'll make money, and they're probably right! They buy the gun today and wait six months, then they stop the manufacture of the gun and it'll double in price overnight," Monahan said.

In comparisons of the candidates on WTOV9.com, Obama is listed as supporting the second amendment but also supporting bans on all forms of semiautomatic weapons. He's also listed as supporting tighter restrictions on firearms.

McCain also supports the second amendment. He opposes bans on assault weapons, and bans on types of ammunition. But also, he supports some gun laws to keep public safety.