CLERMONT - Chris and Clint Frame have turned their love for guns into a career.
The Brownsburg-based brothers opened C & C Midwest Firearms in May here. The shop is at 9235 Crawfordsville Road, Suite Three.
"We talked about it for years," Clint said of the two opening their own gun store. "Last year was when we started to get serious."
Both have been around and used firearms all of their lives. Older brother Chris served in the U.S. Air Force and was deployed in Operation Desert Storm. Clint was also in the U.S. Air Force and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also was a federal officer in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
"We grew up shooting guns and hunting," Clint said. "Our dad was into those things."
The Frames looked all over the area for a location for C & C Midwest Firearms before choosing this space in Clermont.
"It's a good spot, being along (U.S.) 136," Clint said. "There's a lot of traffic."
Sales have been brisk for them so far, a trend that appears to be a national level too. The National Shooting Sports Foundation reported there were about 11 million firearms sold last year in the United States, which is a record. The organization adds that gun sales have been strong since 2008, despite a weak economy.
"They've been all up for us because we've just started," Chris said.
As far as guns, "We offer a little bit of everything," Clint said. That includes tactical rifles for target shooting and pistols for self-defense and conceal carry.
"Those are our markets," Clint said.
Their inventory comes from all the leading manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson, Colt, and Bushmaster. C & C also sells knives, ammunition, and accessories such as holsters.
Recommendations vary on what type of firearm to sell to a specific person, particularly when it comes to self-defense. Factors include where the customer wants to store or carry a gun. Many conceal carry pistols are now made with a lightweight polymer body and are small enough to fit in a pocket. They even come in different colors. C & C has a pink revolver on display.
"We'll help people who've never even shot a gun before," Clint said.
He's among those who believe people should arm themselves for protection.
"You do have to go about it the legal way, though," Clint said. "But yeah, absolutely."
C & C Midwest Firearms is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and closed Sunday. For more information, call 757-6543 or visit the website at ccmidwestfirearms.com.
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
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