Recession-stoked fears of rising crime and tougher gun laws under a Democratic government are sending US gun sales sky high, and big crowds at the Chantilly Gun Show this weekend proved it once again.

"Do you see the line all around the building and in the back," asked Annette Elliott, co-organizer of one of the top gun shows in Virginia, a conservative state with rather liberal gun laws.

Several hundred people thronged the gun show in the Washington suburb of Chantilly, where some 260 retailers have set up stalls hung with ready-to-fire Smith and Wessons, Glocks, Walthers, Colts and Berettas.

Huge increase in sales

"We've had a huge increase in sales since last October," 2008 just before President Barack Obama was elected. "Well over 200 percent. It's coming back," said Jerry Cochran, owner of his eponymous major gun retailing firm in the state.

He hopes to sell 500 weapons at the gun show this weekend.

Elliott expects as many as 12 000 people will turn up at the three-day gun fair.

In a state where you can wear a loaded weapon on your belt as long as it's in full sight, or a concealed one with a permit, handguns and semi-automatic assault rifles are openly sold to residents after a customary spot check for criminal records.

A questionnaire must also be filled out asking whether the prospective buyer has been convicted of any crime, is an illegal immigrant or is "subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking... an intimate partner."

Worries that Obama Democrats will toughen gun ownership laws, an increase in hunting and fears of recession-driven crime have sent gun sales soaring 30 percent in the first three months of the year, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) gun permit statistics.

In September, gun sales rose 12.4 percent, or more than 100 000 new firearms per month. In 2009, gun sales are expected to reach 13.5 million, compared to 12.7 million in the preceding year, FBI monthly estimates said.

Perfect storm

"Basically we have a perfect storm in the firearm industry," said Elliott. "We have the most anti-gun president ever in the United States, Obama. And we have a recession going on right now. During economic crises, you know crime goes up."

"We've got a lot, a lot of new buyers. Especially women," said Cochran.

Firearms are sold in every shape and size, to satisfy every taste, including ultra-light titanium handguns with pink or pearl white grips.

"People want fashionable guns, different colors, different types of grips, you know we have guns with pink grips, that is a new market," said the gun seller.

Melinda Day came to the gun show to purchase the first weapon in her life. She feels unsafe in her neighborhood and decided she needed a means of self-defense.

"That was it!"

"Two weeks ago, my daughter was threatened by someone with a gun. That was it! And it was very close to our house," she said.

She settled on a .38 caliber Sig Sauer, "light, precise, easy to load," for $579.

The Taser, an electroshock weapon that stuns people into submission, is a hot item at the show. Women can choose a Taser model that looks like a flashlight covered in faux leopard skin or some flashy color.

With 50 000 volts, Tasers are as powerful as police stun guns and are sold freely, without a permit, for around $350, everywhere except some northeastern states including New York and the US capital, Washington.

Guns, wear 'em like underwear

"Some people buy cars, some people buy guns," said Donte, a 25-year-old security guard who refused to give his last name and who keeps half a dozen weapons at home, one of which was hanging from his belt.

"You got underwear on every day, I got this every day... you know," he said pointing to his gun.

Donte said he looks forward to getting his class 3 weapons license which will let him own a fully automatic weapon.

Meanwhile, 30 000 people a year are killed by gunfire in the United States.