Forget The IPod, Santa Giving More Guns This Year.

Guns for Christmas Gifts.

Weeks away from Christmas, some Upstate stores say people are searching for that perfect gift: a gun. Frank Allen, owner of Allen Arms in Greenville, says sales have been increasing steadily heading toward the holiday. "A lot of people are in here looking for presents," he says. "I had to open up early for a woman this morning. She wanted a gift certificate." He adds, "It's a busy time of year."

On Black Friday alone, the FBI reported background checks for gun buyers topped 129,000, up 30% from last year. Allen says the increase might be because more customers have crime on their minds. "When seconds count, police are only minutes away. That's not enough," he says. "You need something to protect yourself."

Many of the gifts are hitting a new target: women. Females make up more than 30% of the customer base at Allen's.

That's what brought Cecil Smith to the store. He's looking for a gift for his wife this Christmas. "She's been wanting to get a gun, and I kind of run out of things to get her," he says. "I figured this would be a good present. Might catch her by surprise!"

Allen expects the sales to continue, as Christmas nears. "We'll be open Christmas Eve, and there will be plenty of people here!"

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