Why do Americans buy weapons and ammunition during the coronavirus pandemic?

Ralph Charette, 71, said he bought Saturday a rifle and ammunition to protect himself and his family, as a wave of panic over the coronavirus spreads throughout the country, writes USA Today.

Photo: Shutterstock

Charett, a war veteran, spent $ 1500 at a gun store in Germantown, Wisconsin, after running into aggressive shoppers and empty shelves at local grocery stores.

Now, if the robbers knock on his door, he will be ready, the man is sure.

“There’s so much uncertainty and paranoia everywhere, but you have to protect yourself,” Charette said.

Charette is one of a growing number of Americans who are heading to retailers, pawn shops and online retailers to stockpile guns and ammunition amid panic over the 2019-nCoV coronavirus pandemic.

The hysteria associated with the rapid spread of the disease causes some to stock up on food and toilet paper in case they are quarantined. It also causes many to worry about a shortage of arms supplies, which leads to increased demand and leads to long lines at suppliers.

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On the morning of March 15, long lines appeared before the opening of the Martin Retting Guns weapons store in Culver City, California. People said that on the eve the line was very long and continued around the block, so they decided to return and try again.

Many said that they were looking for additional protection, primarily ammunition, in case a pandemic would lead to the closure of most enterprises.

The trend continued at Turner's Outdoorsman store in Torrance, California, until the opening.

“People are scared,” said Drew Plotkin of Los Angeles. “There is a lot of panic in the world, and people want to be protected for the worst case scenario.”

In New Castle, Delaware, 22-year-old Emily Ken bought ammunition for her 9mm pistol before the "getting ready for the end of the world" can buy up all supplies, she said.

“It’s better to be prepared than not,” Ken said. - I've already stocked up on food. Ammo was just the next step.”

While large-scale stocks were sold out in specialized stores, in recent weeks more and more people have accessed the Internet to order weapons online. The Ammo.com ammunition online store has seen rapid sales growth since the end of February, which the company attributes to public concern over the coronavirus pandemic.

“We know that certain things affect ammunition sales, mainly political events or economic instability where people feel their rights may be violated, but this is our first experience with a virus leading to such an increase in sales,” said the manager Marketing Alex Horsman.

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The site reported a 68% surge in sales between mid-February and early March. Online orders were at their peak in North Carolina and Georgia. Ammunition purchases have also increased in Florida, where over 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported, and in New York, where over 700 cases have been reported.

Retailers also limit the amount of ammunition that people can buy in short supply.

Greg Reinders, 62, bought 250 rounds of ammunition, the largest stock allowed in St. Louis due to growing demand. He also bought a 9mm pistol to protect himself in case someone tries to steal his products in case of a possible shortage.

“Right now, local stores have small supplies of toilet paper and water and things like that,” Reinders said. “But if they don't restock as quickly as people want, my main concern is if someone comes up to me and tries to take what I bought.”

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