A series of violent and highly-publicized crimes in Tulsa may be prompting a surge in gun sales according to one area gun retailer. 

David Stone runs Dong's Guns, Ammo and Reloading: “Several people have come in and said they felt like they had to get protection for their family.  I think gun sales are probably up 30-40 percent over the same period last year.” 

Stone says the gun that has really gained in popularity is the short barrel, pump action shot gun. 

Shot guns are popular because they don't require great aim and the sound a shot gun make when it’s being pumped is seen as a deterrent, Stone said.  He adds, “Women who get revolvers want the ones that have a laser on them.  If you confront somebody and you have a laser on your gun, and you turn that laser on and the person sees a red dot on their chest, they're pretty much going to give up or take off and run." 

Stone tells KRMG it's not just gun sales that are way up:  Ammunition sales at Dong’s are up between 50 and 75 percent.