Gun Purchases and Personal Protection During COVID-19: On the Winning Side

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shelter-in-place orders in many states have brought a new awareness of the importance of the Second Amendment. Interestingly, even many who have never given firearms much thought have come to the realization that they are responsible for their own safety when things go bad.

Reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation show that 2.37 million NICS background checks were reported in March, the second most ever in a single month. (Incidentally, the highest month ever was in January 2013 after Democrats in Congress began pushing several restrictive gun-control schemes in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting.)

While so-called “mainstream” media outlets like Salon.com run headlines like, “Why are people buying guns? That’s about the last thing we need right now,” Americans—including first-time gun owners—continue to flock to gun stores to purchase firearms and ammunition. A Newsy/Ipsos survey showed that one in 20 households bought a firearm in the latest rush, and that one in 10 households reported considering purchasing a firearm because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Fact is, the pro-gun rights side of the gun debate—our side—is winning the hearts and minds of the large percentage of Americans who have remained neutral. Recent actions by Americans worried about the future prove that point.

Is it because we’ve put more effort into explaining the Second Amendment and the importance of private firearms ownership than those on the other side? That’s not likely, with gun-ban groups and anti-gun politicians dominating “mainstream” news coverage.

Perhaps it’s because we have spent more money trying to get the word out that a gun is the single most effective tool people can use to protect themselves and their families from violent criminals? That’s not likely, either, considering the millions of dollars Michael Bloomberg and other anti-gun billionaires dump into anti-gun causes annually.

I think the reason we’re winning, especially in these uncertain times, is simple logic. While anti-freedom zealots shout about how dangerous guns are, most people find it quite easy to understand that it’s better to have a firearm and not need it, than to need one and not have it.

One can only hope that as these first-time gun owners become more interested in guns, shooting and self-defense, they quickly engage in the battle to save our right to keep and bear arms. If nothing else good comes from the COVID-19 debacle, perhaps more people joining the fight for freedom will be a bright spot.