From what I've been hearing via a LGS or two, it seems the rush on guns is largely due to first time owners panic buying. I find that concerning.
I suppose my main concern is the mentality of these people. I got the feeling they aren't terribly pro gun individuals, and are just really scared someone is going to try and steal their groceries. Which makes me wonder how much (or rather how little) they know about the guns they're buying, the legalities involved, or how dangerous they may be with a new firearm and a whole bucket of ignorance.
I'm all for people - who previously haven't owned guns - taking their personal safety upon their own shoulders. But I do find the motives and speed with which people are procuring weapons a little unsettling. I feel like becoming a gun owner is not something that should be rushed. The thought process of "I just bought a gun and some ammo. I'm good to go!" is concerning to me.
How do you feel about it?
nearly every morning, i go to the local CVS store, to get my morning newspaper. many times, there is an electric company lineman coming off his shift at 5 AM when i am there. he is a gun collector, and works on them, and is very knowledgeable.
well it was way back in September of 2019, when we talked about me getting the "blue card", which in my state, allows us to buy handguns, legally.
now, it was not until February of THIS year, that i finally read the book all the way thru, passed the test, and got that coveted "Blue card" so here it was, at least 6 months gone by, since talking about it, till i did it.
i went to the range, and qualified in both the shooting test and written test.
then for about 2 weeks, i rented several guns to get the feel for them, and make a decision to what i liked.
i chose both the Glock 17 (4th gen) over the 5th gen...and a CZ 75B
i am FULLY enjoying my days at the range, i go 2 days a week, and if i can get in a third or 4th day, i go. (the wife really doesn't mind, as she knows i ain't cheating on her...lol)
now i have also ordered up my 3rd semi-automatic, a Canik TP9 sf
in all frankness, i got into this sport/hobby before all this virus nonsense and panic in the streets. as far back as September of 2019 by just talking to that electric company lineman, who is WAAAY younger than me, and at MY age of 70+, i RESPECT him..!!
i cannot speak about the huge uptick in gun sales (but each time i go and get my cartridges), i SEE a whole lot of people filling out the forms to buy arms.(so yes, most likely panic buying)
even the gun range shop the manager there told me Monday, that this past weekend, they had MORE orders for handguns then they ever had in months. (and i had seen this coming) days ago.
what scares me now, is my state maybe clamping down on the gun sales laws to say ONE handgun per year, rather than as often as you want. also a possible limit to mag capacities.
i am glad i got into the sport/hobby when i did, and that i will soon be picking up my 3rd gun, before any changes in the state laws, (if any changes are coming down the road) all thanks to the panic buying.