Chong is seeing lots of first-time gun buyers, most saying coronavirus hysteria is the reason for their purchase.
“Ninety percent of our customers — hundreds of guns — are going to people who have not owned guns before,” Chong said. “(They) haven’t felt they needed a gun before. Now they say, ‘Wow, this is the only way I’ll be able to personally protect myself from other people.'”
Chong’s shop has been so busy lately that people are forced to line up outside and wait.
Ammunition is also in short supply right now. Soon Chong and other gun store owners may find themselves scrambling for inventory.
Meantime, the store is taking precautions to limit potential exposure to the coronavirus. Only six people are allowed inside at one time. Waiting customers can sit outside in chairs that are spaced apart for social distancing.
A spokesman from political action committee San Diego County Gun Owners, who represents many in the local gun industry, said many firearm stores across the county are also seeing a large uptick in sales.
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