With encouragements to get carry-conceal permits coming from police and even a university president, Americans are flooding into gun stores to buy concealable pistols.
“Small, concealable semi-auto handguns are flying off the shelves. Business has been super brisk and we expect it to continue,” Justin Anderson, director of marketing for Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, N.C.
Guns are flying off the shelves of stores like Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, N.C.
“There is definitely a run on concealed carry guns,” added Anderson, whose popular store advertises itself as “America’s Largest Gun Store.”
The sales binge hit a high on Black Friday when the federal background check system recorded its most-ever applications, 185,000, and county clerks from around the country reported a massive wave of applications for carry-conceal permits.
It follows the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, and encouragements from police agencies that Americans change their mindset and prepare to fight back when facing an “active shooter.”
Smith & Wesson, one of the nation’s top sellers of firearms, told financial analysts this week that business has become so good that it is raising its forecasts for 2016.
“The consumer is out there shopping for firearms perhaps a bit more strongly than we anticipated,” said Smith & Wesson President P. James Debney.
During the call with analysts, the company reported that second quarter sales were up 32 percent over last year.
Smith & Wesson’s newest handgun, the ported M&P Shield, is selling out.
Their newest concealable handgun, the ported M&P Shield, is so popular that some gun stores in the Washington area have waiting lists.
John R. Lott Jr., founder of the Crime Prevention Research Center, advocates for people to get the carry-conceal permit and arm themselves. He said that a shift in policy in Israel in the 1970s resulted in an end of terrorist gun attacks.
“When seconds count, people are going to arm themselves. It’s good advice,” he said.
Hyatt Guns’ Anderson said that his store has seen evidence of that beyond gun sales. He said that the store’s concealed carry course is selling out.
“It appears to me that people are coming into the store in droves to get guns to protect themselves. In addition, they’re getting trained, which is even more important. While no one likes the circumstances, it’s really heartwarming to see people finally taking responsibility for their own safety,” he told Secrets.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
