Why Are Gun Sales Through the Roof Right Now?

[NipperDog]

Everything is closed up tighter than a drum around here, except for the gun stores that is. Those places have lines around the block. At first I thought, OK, they're out of work and are selling their guns to put food on the table. I wish that were the case but none of the ones I've seen are carrying anything into the stores.

People are acting as if the zombie apocalypse is a real thing and it's just around the corner. Do you think there's a reason to be nervous about this trend? Should I be jumping into line behind them?

[donquixote99]

If the 'essential workers' in the food supply chain all start getting sick and the system starts breaking down, should you

1. Stay out of the way and support efforts by state and local authorities to maintain order and organize relief?

or

2. Arm up and join paramilitary vigilante efforts to hoard supplies and keep 'those people' away?

My own view is that if things get really violent and crazy, citizens with guns won't be the cure, they'll be the cause.

[ebacon]

Originally Posted by NipperDog

Everything is closed up tighter than a drum around here, except for the gun stores that is. Those places have lines around the block. At first I thought, OK, they're out of work and are selling their guns to put food on the table. I wish that were the case but none of the ones I've seen are carrying anything into the stores.

People are acting as if the zombie apocalypse is a real thing and it's just around the corner. Do you think there's a reason to be nervous about this trend? Should I be jumping into line behind them?

What state are you in? Michigan gun stores are closed.

[icenine]

For some reason the Camp Pendleton MCX is still open...I expect a lot of military bases will get hit hard with Covid-19. The weapon section however was closed because either the store quit selling firearms or, more likely, they were all sold out.

I am pretty anti-gun but with the way things have been going have thought about getting a Barretta 9MM since that was the weapon I carried in Iraq and I fairly familiar about how to put it together, oil it and understand about how in Condition 1 the chamber always has a round in it. I would have loved the idea of a smart gun where you need a pin to operate it but the gun lobby freaked out about those and blocked them.

[NipperDog]

Originally Posted by ebacon

What state are you in? Michigan gun stores are closed.

I'm in California and non-essential businesses are supposed to be closed but the gun shops are doing a booming business.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

If the 'essential workers' in the food supply chain all start getting sick and the system starts breaking down, should you

1. Stay out of the way and support efforts by state and local authorities to maintain order and organize relief?

or

2. Arm up and join paramilitary vigilante efforts to hoard supplies and keep 'those people' away?

My own view is that if things get really violent and crazy, citizens with guns won't be the cure, they'll be the cause.

And a citizen's home?

I believe people are trying to ensure that they are not entirely defenseless in their homes.

[NipperDog]

Just to clarify, I'm a gun owner myself and I do enjoy target practice but I'd still like to know what these people think is on the horizon.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by NipperDog

Just to clarify, I'm a gun owner myself and I do enjoy target practice but I'd still like to know what these people think is on the horizon.

I think it's emotional logic. Men seek power in a frightening situation they have no actual ability to control. The guns will be useless against the virus, of course.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

And a citizen's home?

I believe people are trying to ensure that they are not entirely defenseless in their homes.

What is actually threatening their homes cannot be turned away with guns.

[mpholland]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

What is actually threatening their homes cannot be turned away with guns.

It could if they looked down the barrel when they fired.