I called it
I predicted an uptick in gun sales six days ago. Guess what:
Gun sales across the South boomed after the first reports surfaced of armed looters roaming the streets of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. And images of shots being fired at relief workers only elevated fears in some communities.
Now, as hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes are being resettled, gun store owners say they’re being flooded by a demand for guns–particularly in Southern states and others where many of the hurricane victims are being relocated.
Mostly, they say, the demand is being fueled by “good people” wanting to protect their families and property. That includes some who might not otherwise purchase such weapons, they add.
Wow. More:
Frank Pirie says his Baton Rouge store, Bowie Outfitters, is being inundated by people seeking handguns and shotguns in the storm’s aftermath. “It’s probably as many as we’d sell in almost a year,” he said.
On Wednesday morning he sold handguns to three nurses who were working in downtown New Orleans. Pirie also gave them shooting lessons, he said.
The nurses told Pirie they were “going back into a war zone,” he said. “They weren’t going back without protection.”
And quote of the day:
The FBI, which conducts criminal background checks on those wanting to buy guns, says it’s too early to tell whether a surge in gun sales is taking place in Louisiana or anyplace else. In any case, there is no shortage of homeowners putting up signs that read “Looters will be shot on sight.”
On shop in Alabama says sales are up 30%.
September 8th, 2005 at 9:47 pm
It’s sad that nurses have to arm themselves.
September 8th, 2005 at 10:02 pm
You find it sad that nurses have to arm themselves and in some respects I agree; but I’m overjoyed that they are prevented from doing so.
September 8th, 2005 at 10:03 pm
Arghhh. NOT prevented from doing so.
September 8th, 2005 at 11:37 pm
“It’s sad that nurses have to arm themselves.”
What’s sad is that animals do things that make it sensible for nurses to go armed.
September 9th, 2005 at 6:34 am
Guns! Guns! Guns!
Not only are more people buying them, but the gun grabbers are having trouble gaining support….
September 9th, 2005 at 7:22 am
Now let’s see if those bringing guns into NOLA, like the nurses will be allowed to keep them.
See:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/08/national/nationalspecial/08cnd-storm.html?ex=1283832000&en=1aa360b408b7bd56&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
NYTimes reporting that individuals are having firearms siezed.
September 9th, 2005 at 8:57 am
Quite to the contrary – I’m glad that nurses are finally realizing they need to provide for their own protection.
I’ve spent many nights in ER and most female nurses have their last names covered by a piece of tape. When we inquired, we learned that it was because they have quite a few drug addicts that come in for treatment. When they don’t get the drugs they want, things get ugly. At least four of the ones we talked with had been stalked by men who had recently been at the ER.
Also, I find it odd that the FBI wouldn’t have data available. They get info on each handgun within minutes of the application for sale. I am certain they know within 1% of how gun sales are going…
September 9th, 2005 at 10:23 am
Oh, surely they know exactly what the sales numbers are. But telling us there is a “surge” might encourage others to get guns, and that wouldn’t mesh with their agenda.