Gun sales spike amid pandemic, weeks of protests
Summary
It’s not a local phenomenon: Americans are purchasing guns at record high numbers, with 7.8 million background checks reported nationwide from March through June. “Nobody has ever seen a pandemic like this.” Gun sales often spike during times of political or social upheaval, which makes 2020 the perfect storm: The presidency is on the November ballot, the pandemic has killed hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and sent U.S. jobless rates soaring, and the Minneapolis killing of George Floyd by police sparked mass protests across the country. In light of current events, he fears for the safety of his wife and children and plans to buy a gun as a means of self protection. Taylor Mixon, a 30-year-old “shooting enthusiast” and firearms collector from Winter Haven, said all retailers in his area and online stores are selling out as soon as they receive stock. Edwin Benton, a political science professor at the University of South Florida, said he isn’t surprised to see gun sales spiking.