One business has been booming in this tough economy. Gun sales.
The Illinois State Police conducted more than 24,000 background checks for gun purchases last month. That's up almost 39 percent from the same month the previous year.
Advocates say the increase can be partly attributed to fear that President-elect Barack Obama will take some of them away.
Illinois State Rifle Association head Richard Pearson says semiautomatic rifles and pistols are selling fast because people fear a Democratic president and Congress will reinstate a ban on such weapons.
One Springfield gun shop said its business doubled in November.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
