Americans are starting to panic-buy guns with sales rocketing across the country and shoppers lining up around the block outside hunting shops amid coronavirus fears.
California, New York and Washington – the states hardest hit by the deadly bug – all saw a massive surge in gun sales.
Some buyers sought to ‘protect their families’ from looters should food and supplies run out due to coronavirus panic.
Others feared that the government’s emergency powers could restrict their right to buy a gun while some Asian-Americans bought weapons to protect themselves from potential racist attacks.
Americans are starting to panic-buy guns with sales rocketing across the country and shoppers lining up around the block outside hunting shops amid coronavirus fears. Pictured: Shoppers line up outside a gun store in Culver City, California
California, New York and Washington – the states hardest hit by the deadly bug – all saw a massive surge in gun sales as panicked shoppers lined up around the block (pictured in Burbank, California)
It comes as thousands of Americans flocked to supermarkets to stockpile essential goods as panic about the coronavirus, which has killed 69 and infected 3,774 in the US alone, takes hold.
Huge lines stretched along the sidewalk outside the Martin B. Retting gun store in Culver City, California.
Another stretch of shoppers was seen outside Gun World in Burbank.
US correspondent for Australian network Nine News Amelia Adams tweeted: ‘Queues to buy guns in LA. Buyers tell me they’re scared of what will happen if people run out of food and supplies, and they need to protect their families.’
Shoppers in Las Vegas, Nevada, lined up to buy guns and ammunition as coronavirus panic takes hold
Some buyers fear that the government’s emergency powers could restrict their right to buy a gun. Pictured: Shoppers stretched along the sidewalk outside the Martin B. Retting gun store in Culver City
Some Asian-Americans are buying weapons to protect themselves from potential racist attacks. Pictured: Lines outside a gun shop in Culver City
People lined up outside a gun shop in Culver City as shoppers panic buy guns due to the coronavirus crisis
John Gore, 39, who lined up outside the Martin B. Retting store on Saturday, told the LA Times: ‘Politicians and anti-gun people have been telling us for the longest time that we don’t need guns.
‘But right now, a lot of people are truly scared, and they can make that decision themselves.’
Anna – who had never bought a gun before – said: ‘It’s not like an active panic, more a preoccupation with making sure everyone is adequately prepared, myself and family and friends.
Shoppers inside a store in Arcadia, California, wait to make their purchases as panic about the coronavirus takes hold
Shoppers wearing masks and gloves line up outside a shop in Burbank, California, as they wait to make their purchases
A line of people wait outside a gun store in Culver City, California, as panic about the coronavirus takes hold
‘Better to be prepared and not need it than need it and not have it.’
Ralph Charette, 71, spent $1,500 at a store in Germantown, Wisconsin and told USA Today: ‘There’s so much uncertainty and paranoia but you’ve got to protect your own.’
Gun sales also soared in San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, as Asian-Americans feared they could be victims of racist attacks due to coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China.
Arcadia Firearm & Safety David Liu told CBSN that many are fearing for their safety should people in their local area catch the bug.
John Gore, 39, who queued up outside the Martin B. Retting store (pictured) on Saturday told the LA Times: ‘Politicians and anti-gun people have been telling us for the longest time that we don’t need guns. But right now, a lot of people are truly scared, and they can make that decision themselves’
Online ammunition store Ammo.com said there has been a 68 per cent increase in sales from February 23 – when Italy’s major outbreak was first reported.
Donald Trump urged Americans not to stockpile food and told citizens to ‘take it easy’ on Sunday.
Vice President Mike Pence also insisted that food stores will stay open indefinitely.
Trump also insisted the outbreak is under ‘tremendous control’.
The president said the federal, state and local governments are all working with these retail leaders, including Walmart, Costco, Target, Whole Foods, Publix and several more, to ensure there are no shortages of goods and food.