Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

First-Time Buyers Explain Why Coronavirus Drove Them to Gun Stores in Record Numbers
The Washington Free Beacon ^ | 19 April 20 | Stephen Gutowski

Posted on 04/19/2020 8:40:35 AM PDT by Bruiser 10

Aaron Eaton learned how to shoot in the Army back in 2006 but holstered a pistol for the last time when he left in 2009 and took a job as a technician for a sewer company. That all changed on March 26 when the father of four walked out of an Alabama gun store with a Beretta 92FS, the same gun he handled as a military policeman at the height of the Iraq war.

"Simply put: I wanted peace of mind when it comes to the safety of my family," Eaton said.

Eaton's pistol was one of 2.3 million firearms to fly off the shelves in March, the single busiest month for gun sales ever. The Washington Free Beacon spoke to half a dozen new gun owners who purchased a total of six handguns and two shotguns. All of the new gun owners provided proof of purchase, though some asked not to have their last names published because of potential career backlash.

"To me, it's all about protecting my family, and if a gun makes that easier, so be it," Scott, a California tech worker with a wife and daughter, said.

Many of the new gun owners cited concerns about personal protection as states began emptying jail cells and police departments announced they would no longer enforce certain laws. Jake Wilhelm, a Virginia-based environmental consultant and lacrosse coach, purchased a Sig Sauer P226 after seeing Italy enact a nationwide lockdown on March 9.

(Excerpt) Read more at freebeacon.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: banglist; coronavirus; panic
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last

1 posted on 04/19/2020 8:40:35 AM PDT by Bruiser 10
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

And...the thousands of criminals being released from prisons...


2 posted on 04/19/2020 8:42:57 AM PDT by Daniel Ramsey (Thank YOU President Trump, finally we can do what America does best, to be the best)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

How are these new gun owners going to be trained and get range time? Ranges should be declared essential businesses!


3 posted on 04/19/2020 8:45:48 AM PDT by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Build the Wall Faster! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

“And you can see it. You saw fear. You saw desperation.”

Those interviewed in the article seem to be showing a rational response to fear, not desperation. They’re addressing a change in the risk profile to their families and themselves.


4 posted on 04/19/2020 8:48:16 AM PDT by rightwingcrazy (;-,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

Because the government especially several state governors and a few locals are getting extremely dangerous and threatening. That’s why and that’s the chief reason our Founding Fathers provided that our right to keep and bear arms Shall Not Be Infringed. (They’d lived under a tyranny far less severe then the one we are dealing with today / tomorrow )!


5 posted on 04/19/2020 8:48:29 AM PDT by faithhopecharity ("Politicians are not born, they are excreted." Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 to 43 BCE))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

I’m going to say the average FReeper looked at the gun safe, and the firearms and ammo stored therein, and said “Yeah, I’m good, no need to pay a premium and get into the mob scene at the gun store.”


6 posted on 04/19/2020 8:50:37 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

Would have been helpful if PDJT would mention this motivation (prisons being emptied. Cops told to stand down and being thinned by illness)

When he repeatedly talked about “taking our guns”


7 posted on 04/19/2020 8:52:07 AM PDT by Strident (< null >)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

2nd Amendment bump for later.....


8 posted on 04/19/2020 8:54:38 AM PDT by indthkr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10
Don't trust yo' soul to no Democrat politician!

9 posted on 04/19/2020 9:00:44 AM PDT by Savage Beast (A President praying for GodÂ’s guidance, donating his salary to charity is on the Side of the Angels)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

One more example of Law Of Unintended Consequences that will bite the asses of the libs who hyped the WuFlu to take down Trump.

Besides creating more heavily armed patriots, the patriots’ kids will be home schooled and out of indoctrinating public schools. (Take that, teachers unions.)

That’s the beauty of libs. They’re so stupid they never think about the big picture and what could happen beyond their current actions.

(And the hype most likely won’t take down Trump.)


10 posted on 04/19/2020 9:05:17 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam ( For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a SOUND MIND.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

I hope April’s numbers match March’s numbers. More Americans owning guns is a good thing. It makes it just that much harder for the gun grabbers to sow fear and ignorance to further infringe on our constitutional right to keep and bear arms.


11 posted on 04/19/2020 9:13:56 AM PDT by FLT-bird
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

Watch the pawn shops begining in about six months for some great deals.


12 posted on 04/19/2020 9:14:54 AM PDT by exnavy (american by birth and choice, I love this country!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MayflowerMadam
Besides creating more heavily armed patriots

Never underestimate the ability of a lifelong liberal to do one thing when they perceive a danger to themselves, and then vote the opposite way on election day. Their political acts are driven by elitism and guilt, not logic.

13 posted on 04/19/2020 9:15:14 AM PDT by Campion (What part of "shall not be infringed" don't they understand?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: JimRed

On the job training. Some of them will get it, others won’t. You make do in times like this.


14 posted on 04/19/2020 9:15:37 AM PDT by Cboldt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: MayflowerMadam
Besides creating more heavily armed patriots...

I would not count on that.

They want guns for themselves.

They still don't want guns for you.

15 posted on 04/19/2020 9:20:36 AM PDT by flamberge (The wheels keep turning)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

Many prospective ‘first-time’ gun owners, have owned/used guns in the past. A good suggestion for that person would be to buy the type of firearm you used before and are familiar with.


16 posted on 04/19/2020 9:31:00 AM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

Expensive pistol.


17 posted on 04/19/2020 9:33:00 AM PDT by onona
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JimRed

“How are these new gun owners going to be trained and get range time? Ranges should be declared essential businesses!”

Mine is still open, just not to the public.


18 posted on 04/19/2020 9:41:07 AM PDT by dljordan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Bruiser 10

“Oh, you mean you have to buy bullets, too?”


19 posted on 04/19/2020 9:42:29 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FreedomPoster

“I’m going to say the average FReeper looked at the gun safe, and the firearms and ammo stored therein, and said “Yeah, I’m good, no need to pay a premium and get into the mob scene at the gun store.”

Went through the closet next to the front door the other day and found three old shotguns I’d forgotten about.


20 posted on 04/19/2020 9:42:33 AM PDT by dljordan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson