Daily Journal file photo
Robert Heaton, center, coaches students on proper stance and grip as they complete the shooting proficiency exam to obtain their concealed carry handgun permits in 2019.
Local experts attribute trend to social unrest
ROCKINGHAM — The amount of gun permits Richmond County Sheriff’s Office issued in from April to June was 261.8% more than the amount issued over that same period in 2019, a trend that local weapons instructors say is partially due a growing feeling of unease stemming from social unrest.
In April, May and June 2019, the sheriff’s office issued 88, 75 and 57 gun permits, respectively. In April 2020, the sheriff’s office issued 127, a 144.3% increase from a year prior. In May 2020 they issued 149, a 198.7% increase, and in June 2020 they issued 300, a 526.1% increase, according to Chief Deputy Mark Gulledge. Even with this increase, Gulledge said the wait time for a permit is two to four days. He added that the sheriff’s office has been able to process them without “major delays.”
These trends track with larger trends nationally. An analysis by the Brookings Institution showed that there have been 3 million more guns sold since March than what would be considered normal for that time frame. This spike is also significantly higher than the rushes to buy guns in anticipation for gun control legislation following the Sandy Hook, San Bernardino, and Parkland shootings, according to Brookings.
Brian Berry, co-owner of Aberdeen-based Spartan Defensive Concepts, which offers weapons training courses, said he’s likely seen a 300% increase in interest from this time last year. Spartan typically stops offering courses from June 1 to Sept. 1 due to heat, and normally does one class a month when they are operating. But now, they’re doing classes almost every weekend.
These classes are smaller to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, but Berry said there is “definitely a higher number of people taking the classes.”
“For just about every other instructor I know it’s the same way,” Berry said. “It’s pretty self-explanatory with what’s going on in the world today … I can’t say it’s 100% because of COVID or because of protesting but I could say that people don’t feel as safe as they did a year ago.”
Robert Heaton teaches a N.C. Concealed Carry and Defensive Tactics’ course locally. While he hasn’t been holding classes since February, he will hold them this coming weekend.
“There is no doubt that the interest is high,” Heaton said. “I have sold out classes at a record pace,” which he added is likely due to the virus and mass protests across the country.
“I also think that the desire for (concealed carry handgun) permits coincides with the gun market,” he continued. “There has been a massive increase in sales of guns and ammunition.”
Heaton, a S.W.A.T. team commander with 20 years of experience in law enforcement and a slew of weapons instructor certifications, monitors the prices and stocks of guns online frequently. He said he’s seen many ammunition calibers double in price, become hard to find, or be out of stock or back-ordered.
Berry, who has 40-plus years of shooting experience, with more than 27 years in the army — 20 of which were spent in the special forces — said that Spartan advocates for those interested in buying guns to always buy from a federal firearm licensee. He said this ensures that the gun has been inspected, that you know what you’re getting, and that the seller can give trustworthy advice on which gun is right for you based on your experience level.
“Our biggest thing is we want gun owners to be responsible, to have an understanding of the laws and be safe with your gun,” Berry said.
