Coronavirus: Horry County gun stores report increased ammo sales since last week
Horry County residents are stocking up on ammo as the spread of coronavirus prompts closures and restrictions.
Rob Battista, owner of 707 Gun Shop, said distributors he works with are reporting limited or depleted supplies of 9 mm bullets and 12 gauge shotgun shells.
“It’s honestly been pretty crazy,” Battista said. “I have had people who never thought they would need a gun come in and buy their first firearm.”
In Conway, The Gun Store owner David Floyd said he has seen a similar uptick in sales, especially ammunition. Customers have been calling in advance to see what is in stock and there have been people in the shop all day.
There has been more interest in concealed-carry programs, getting in range practice and making sure they have enough ammo to last for a while.
“When you see people buying all the damn toilet paper, there is also going to be people who buy all the ammo,” Floyd said.
For Battista’s shop, there isn’t really a huge bump in sales ahead of a hurricane. He thinks people know what to expect from storms as compared to the uncertainty happening now.
He also worries that government orders to close businesses or whole regions is making people nervous about civil unrest.
“You have the government telling private businesses how to operate. That’s scary,” Battista said.
Both Floyd and Battista reported heavy store traffic since the weekend with customers coming in to stock up. Floyd said a lot of people are just gun enthusiasts who want to have ammunition for recreational reasons during isolation.
While business is good right now, if Floyd is not able to resupply or is told he can’t operate, his small business will struggle. He said he always tells his employees he has their backs, but if he can’t open for weeks, he won’t have money for anyone to be paid.
“I think we are a business that if people are going to go out to get something, they’ll stop by a gun store,” Floyd said. “On the other hand, I’ve got a ton of bills needing paying.”
