COVID-19 and Gun Sales

Fear is sweeping the nation as cases of COVID-19 rise at an alarming rate in the US. At the same time, gun and ammo sales are rising. One store, Dong's Guns, Ammo and Reloading, has seen ammo sales rise by 400/500% and gun sales up 20%. This major increase in sales has lead to suppliers running out of guns and ammo, and thus many stores are running out as well. Most of these guns are being sold to first-time owners. Background checks in are the highest they have ever been at 3.7 million in March alone, according to the FBI.

These statistics are alarming, and even made my family, which has never owned a gun or even considered it, wonder if we should get one too. Most people are buying guns right now due to the idea that if there is a panic and people begin to steal and riot, they will be protected. They feel that they have to protect themselves as the government and police will be stretched too thin to do so.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/pandemic-pushes-u-s-gun-sales-all-time-high-n1176451
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/20/817369503/some-stock-up-on-guns-and-ammunition-during-coronavirus-crisis