A 10-year-old ban on assault weapons expired across the United States today with a political firefight but no apparent rush to rearm by gun enthusiasts.
At The Shooters Shop in West Allis near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, salesman Peter Kinkead said that by noon he had received more than 20 phone calls in addition to walk-in inquiries.
"People are using us as a resource, asking what the law covers. Now that the ban expired I think we'll see more security guards who will come in and be able to purchase a proper (ammunition) magazine for their work," Mr Kinkead said.
At Badger Outdoors in West Milwaukee owner Mr Wally Allan said he had not heard a lot of talk among customers.
"I think it hasn't really sunk in but we might hear from people once it does. I still have the same guns I had before; mostly handguns and shotguns for hunting. We don't see a big demand for the kind of guns that were affected by the ban," he said.
With the expiration of the ban, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sent out a letter to weapons importers clarifying the post-ban rules.
"There is no longer a federal prohibition on the manufacture, transfer and possession of SAWs (semiautomatic assault weapons)," the bureau said.
In Tennessee, at Nashville's Gun City USA, firearms instructor Mr Robert Schlafly said there had been no surge in orders or interest, adding it may be too early to tell what will happen.
In the long run, he predicted the end of the ban will drive down prices since new inventories will appear on the market.
"To me the ban was just a way for (former President Bill) Clinton to get more votes," Mr Schlafly said. "It's all politics. It didn't hurt the firearms industry but people were mad."