U.S. gun shops report spike in sales

A customer shops for a pistol at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill. According to CBS affiliate KOIN-TV, gun sales have surged recently with people buy guns for personal protection following the mass shooting in Connecticut and gun enthusiasts buying guns because they fear a reinstatement of the assault weapons ban.

AR-15 style rifles are offered for sale at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

A customer purchases an AK-47 style rifle for about $1200 at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

A customer shops for a pistol at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

Cindy Sparr fills out the required paperwork after selling a customer an AK-47 style rifle at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

Pistols are offered for sale at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

An AR-15 style rifle sits on the counter by Craig Marshall as he assists a customer at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

Jason Zielinski shows a customer an AR-15 style rifle at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

Cindy Sparr boxes a AK-47 style rifle purchased by a customer at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

A customer shops for a pistol at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

Pistols are offered for sale at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

A federal form at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store shows questions a customer must answer before purchasing a gunon Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

Cindy Sparr boxes up an AK-47 style rifle after selling it at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

Cindy Sparr shows a customer an AK-47 style rifle at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.

Jason Zielinski shows a customer a selection of AR-15 style rifles being offered for sale at Freddie Bear Sports sporting goods store on Dec. 17, 2012, in Tinley Park, Ill.