POCATELLO — Edward Smith, owner and operator of Smitty’s Gun Shop in Clearfield, Utah, said he didn’t vote for Barack Obama, but he said the 44th President of the United States is a heck of gun salesman.

    “Everyone is scared that Obama is going to take our guns away,” Smith said. “I don’t believe he has the power to do that.”

    That said, Smith was one of dozens of vendors who showed up for the Lewis Clark Trader Gun Show in the ballroom at Pond’s Student Union on the Idaho State University campus this weekend to meet the demand. He sold a variety of handguns and rifles Saturday and said that he conducted background checks on each and every sale.

    Gun sales, not only in Southeast Idaho and Utah, but nationwide have skyrocketed since Obama’s nomination last August, Smith said.

    Possible gun control legislation led to record turnout at the semiannual gun show.

    Smith said currently 28 sheriff’s departments in Utah have issued statements regarding federal gun control regulations in the state.

    “They have said that they will not support federal law that is in conflict with the U.S. Constitution,” he said.

    Current Idaho legislation would make it a crime for any law enforcement agency to enforce firearm restrictions.

    The Idaho Sheriffs Association has supported the national group and opposed any federal regulation that is in conflict with the Constitution, said Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen.

    “No sheriff has the authority to enforce federal law,” Nielsen said. “I am an agent of the state.”

    As well as a boon in the sale of guns and ammunition, Nielsen said the number of requests for concealed weapons permits has increased tenfold in Bannock County.

    Organizer Steve Snieder said the Lewis Clark Traders Gun Show has been a regular event at ISU for more than three decades and the huge turnout for the two-day show is a result of current political pressure for control legislation.

    “When Obama was elected, gun and ammo sales shot up statewide,” Snieder said.

    While licensed gun dealers at the show conducted background checks, Snieder said it was not mandatory for the private sale of weapons and he said he does not believe background checks should be required at the shows.

    “It would be costly and hard to implement,” Snieder said.

    Paul Plowman of Idaho Falls came to show to sell his 105-year old 30-30 rifle and he agreed.

    “It doesn’t seem to me that the background checks have had a big impact on crime,” Plowman said.

    In January, Obama said citizens should have to show that they are not felons or legally prohibited from buying a weapon before purchasing a firearm.

    Tony Zhaog of Pocatello purchased a handgun at Saturday’s show from Sam’s Gun Shop in Pocatello and waited patiently while the background check was completed.

    Zhaog paid $800 for the weapon and said it was a good deal.

    Chuck Aldrich said despite rising costs, Sam’s has not increased their prices and he said gun and ammo sales are booming. The booth sold weapons ranging from semiautomatic shotguns to sporting rifles.

    An automatic weapon fires rounds in succession when the trigger is activated, a semiautomatic weapon fires one shot each time the trigger is pulled, Aldrich said.

    To possess an automatic weapon, gun owners must secure a federal permit.

    Bruce Dial of Pocatello came to the show to sell .22-caliber ammunition — 500 rounds sold for $100 — about half the current price in sports shops.

    Tom Darland, owner of Big Butte Arms in Arco, sold ammunition reloading equipment at the show and said ammo shortages across the state have increased the number of people loading their own.     

    Josh Hill, police officer in training at ISU, inspected weapons and applied trigger locks in the lobby of Pond’s Student Union on Saturday.

    Hill said about 600 people turned out for the first day of the show.

    Chuck Arnold and his family came to the show to sell six weapons, which he expected to bring top dollar.

    “Today the $200 throw away has become the $800 desirable,” Arnold said.

    Arnold, who lives in north of St. Anthony in Chester, believes that gun show should conduct background checks, but he said instead of stiffer gun laws he would like to see more funding for mental health programs.

    Codi Jo Arnold, 10, has been shooting since she was two years old and her father said gun ownership is about responsibility, not regulation.

    The South Idaho Rangers raffled off a 1911 Ruger during the show and the Port-Nuef Muzzle Loaders were also present Saturday.

    Tony Domingo said the group has about 30 active members.

    The group hosts the Port-Neuf Rendezvous in McCammon May 31 through June 2.

    For more information about that event, go to PortNeufMuzzleloaders.com.