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MIDLOTHIAN, Va. (WRIC) -- A local gun shop has been extremely busy and is experiencing more sales since the terrorism attack in San Bernardino, California.

Dave Hancock has been selling guns at Bob's Sport Shop on Hull Street in Midlothian for nearly four decades. He says the recent terrorism is why more people are shopping for guns.

"It has been very hectic, people were lined up faster than we could get to the paper work," he said. "It's really been trouble trying to find a parking spot a lot of days. Friday and Saturday were particular busy, unbelievably busy."

Since the attack in California, Virginia State Police tell 8News the agency has conducted 13,199 background checks during the week of December 2-7. Last year during that same week authorities conducted 8,803 checks.

Hancock said criminals or terrorists rarely want to attack an area where people are armed, and he supports Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr., who stated students should legally arm themselves to defend themselves and others against terrorists.

"That's the primary reason; it's for their own defense and Liberty University said it: We want all of our students carrying guns. Why? Because nobody's going to be dumb enough to go to Liberty University and try anything now because they know the kids are carrying guns the legal ones," Hancock said.

An elderly woman and another customer who were in the store during 8News' interview blurted out a loud "Amen." The woman said she agrees with Hancock, "because I believe in that, read the Bible! The Bible will tell you we ought to protect ourselves. I do believe in that absolutely do!"

Carolyn Smith was also in the shop with her husband purchasing her first shotgun.

"We have handguns, but we feel like we need to take care of more than one person at a time," she said. "That is definitely why we're here. Because of all the terrorism and we just never know what's going to come up. I hope I never have to use it, but it's an insurance policy for us."