COSTA MESA – President Obama’s tougher stance on gun laws and Congressional Democrats’ latest move to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines brought thousands to the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Orange County Fair & Events Center on Saturday.

Before the gates opened, lines snaked into the parking lot. Ammunition was in high demand and many had to wait three or four hours to get it.

Everyone knew the difference between the pre-Newtown and post-Newtown price, said J.R. Casillas, a salesman with National Surplus, selling gun magazines and accessories at the show.

“We’ve tried to keep the prices reasonable, but it’s hard because of the way the market is right now,” he said. “The demand for these products is extremely high. From what we’ve seen, prices on assault rifle magazines are up by at least 40 percent.”

Click here to hear comments from people attending the gun show.

Jim Wright, a salesman at Surefire Manufacturing, said he sold out of 1,000 rounds of ammunition 10 minutes after doors opened.

“It’s so difficult to keep up with the demand that we’ve started taking orders,” he said. “At this time, it’s challenging to even get the parts to make the bullets. This is like a feeding frenzy.”

Bob Templeton, owner of the Crossroads of the West Gun Shows, said the two largest ammunition dealers at the show unloaded five semi-trailer loads of ammo Saturday morning at the fairgrounds.

“We do see (after the Connecticut shootings) that people are turning up in large numbers to buy ammo that is not available in stores,” he said. “Everyone who comes here should be able to leave with some ammunition.”

As a result, he expects that more than 25,000 people through the weekend, and it could well be the largest show he has ever had, Templeton said. Last weekend, about 19,000 came to the Crossroads of the West Gun Show in Phoenix, he said.

This year, the Orange County show has additional security. It is also patrolled by undercover federal agents, who make sure laws are followed, Templeton said.

“Also, no one walks out of here with a gun,” he said. “You have to go through background checks and a 10-day waiting period before you can buy a gun.”

The gun show does not allow loaded guns inside. Any gun that is to be taken through the gate must be checked and disabled with a plastic tie.

Many at the gun show wore T-shirts to express their feelings on the issue. One man wore a shirt with the word “Obamunism” on it with Obama portrayed as Chairman Mao. One other T-shirt read: Got guns? Yet another man wore a shirt that bore the words: “Tyranny Response Team.”

The volume of the political debate has been turned up, and people are hearing it, said Anthony Cavanna of Long Beach.

“In my opinion, the guns will be in the hands of the wrong people if these laws pass,” he said. “Who’s going to protect the good guys? Taking the guns away from the good guys is not the answer.”

Cavanna said the crowds have increased exponentially in this year’s show because people are scared that their rights and their guns will be taken away from them.

“Last year, I was able to get a ticket and walk in the gate,” he said. “The gun I bought last year for $1,050 is priced today at $3,500.”

In the halls where the products were being sold, there were breaks when all of the fairgoers stopped to say the pledge of allegiance to the flag. People cheered loudly afterward.

Lake Forest resident Merry Axelrod said she believes “everyone should be able to keep and bear arms.”

Congressional Democrats headed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein D-Calif., have unveiled legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines such as those used in the Newtown, Conn., massacre. Feinstein’s legislation comes a week after President Obama unveiled a package of gun-control measures.

Feinstein’s legislation covers rifles, pistols and handguns with one of any military-style features, such as a detachable stock, pistol grips or grenade launchers. It also bans 157 specific firearms, while excluding 2,258 hunting and sporting rifles and shotguns. The legislation also would ban magazines that accept more than 10 rounds.

The previous assault weapons ban that Feinstein authored expired in 2004.

The Orange County Fair Board has not taken a position on gun shows and has never considered not allowing it, said member Nick Berardino.

“The fairgrounds is state property owned by all taxpayers,” he said. “We have not had problems with this show in all these years. My opinion is that the show should continue with the appropriate amount of security.”

Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com