TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — It's an election year, and gun shop owners say that means a lot of people are looking to purchase guns.
"Our phone is constantly ringing," said Crissy Will, owner of The Gun Locker in Tonawanda.
Will says her shop has seen a sharp increase in people looking to purchase protection, especially in the last few months.
"We've seen people come in even before all the protesting. The virus alone set off sales for us."
Will says with riots, protests, calls to defund the police, and this being an election year, uncertainty among customers is at an all-time high. She says people are seeking handguns after receiving a pistol permit.
Last month, we told you that pistol permit applications are up more than 30% in Erie County this year. In perspective, in all of 2019, a little over 2,700 people applied for a pistol permit. In July of this year, 1,000 people applied, in September another 984 applied and so far in October, 800 more people applied.
Will says at her shop, more and more people are seeking long guns for home protection. You do not need a permit for a shotgun, you just have to be over 21 and pass a background check.
