Americans' Security Fears Stoke Gun Sales: Analysts

Worries about personal safety and possible regulatory restrictions are sending gun sales and firearm manufacturers' stock prices up. Analysts say events like the terrorist attacks in Paris and last week's shootings in San Bernardino are prompting Americans — including a growing number of women — to buy more guns, NBC News reported.

Shares of Smith & Wesson, who manufactured one of the guns used in Wednesday's attack, are up nearly 6.5 percent today and over $2 in the past week. Shares of firearms manufacturer Sturm, Ruger Company are up 6.7 percent and up nearly $8 since the Paris terror attacks. This is even as Wall Street suffers a poor day overall, down nearly 1 percent.

"The recent spate of shootings has increased consumer fears of gun regulations, which typically results in people buying more firearms before such regulations come into force," IBISWorld defense sector senior analyst Maksim Soshkin said via email.

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