LAS VEGAS -- The growing recession has people concerned about the safety of their property, and Valley firearm retailers are seeing a spike in sales because of it.

"Sales are up 30, 35 percent from last year," said Bob Irwin, owner of The Gun Store. "We'll have an increase in sales after a civilian defends himself and injures the bad guy."

On Sunday night, a homeowner shot an killed an intruder near Las Vegas and Lamb boulevards during an apparent home invasion, Metro police said.

Irwin said this homeowner is not the first to protect his home, and sales at his store have been climbing for months now, but not necessarily in response to crime.

"Generally, gun owners fear the Obama Administration will pass laws that prevent them from owning certain guns," he said.

Neighbors of the homeowner from Sunday's shooting said they don't blame him for grabbing his gun.

"That's what you get -- you don't go breaking into houses," neighbor Frank Brick said. "Times are tough on everybody. That's doesn't justify breaking into somebody's house."

Irwin said that if you find yourself in a situation where your finger is on the trigger, remember to give a warning.

"Yell, 'Get out of my house or I'll shoot you,'" he said. "Ninety percent of time, you don't have to worry about the fallout of criminal charges and lawsuits."

The spike in gun sales is not unusual: Irwin said that when the economy takes a dive, sales start creeping up.