Amid the coronavirus pandemic, US citizens stock up on weapons and ammunition.
Larry Hyatt runs nearly 47 employees at the store his father founded six decades ago in Charlotte, North Carolina.
At the age of 72, he says he never saw how sales of his establishment quadrupled in a short time, as it happened in the midst of a coronavirus pandemic.
Since 1959, the Hyatt family has been selling weapons and ammunition. In addition to non-perishable food, water and toilet paper, US citizens begin to stock semi-automatic rifles and bulletproof vestson the grounds that they are preparing to live in an end of the world scenario. "We have had many reports from people concerned about the country in total quarantine. If that happens, they fear they will come and steal their homes," says Nick Groat, president of Safe Life Defense, one of the Hyatt officials.
"Stocking up on bulletproof vests, weapons, ammunition and tactical equipment helps to defend their families, supplies and properties."
With headquarters in Las Vegas and branches in 12 other American states, Safe Life Defense has seen a 44% increase in sales since March 11, when President Donald Trump enacted the national emergency. Groat explains that the demand has grown as a whole, but he highlights the the growths of demand for tactical belts and bulletproof vests, which are sold on the store's website in models from US$ 130 to US$ 1,700.
The owner of the Hyatt Guns, in turn, declares that the products that the products that leader sales are automatic and semi-automatic weapons, such as the AR-15 rifle, often used by a first-time buyer.
"I don't see any demand for a hunting weapon, it's self-defense. People who have a gun, but didn't have ammunition, come to buy ammunition. Those who don't have a gun come to buy one."
People line up to buy weapons at the store in Culver, Calif., Amid the coronavirus pandemic - Mario Tama / Getty Images / AFP