Bill’s Gun Shop owner John Monson says demand has been so high for hand guns, manufacturers can’t keep up, and he’s having trouble keeping popular weapons in stock. Ammunition is also in short supply.
“We’re probably still doing twice the volume we did the prior year,” said Monson.
That’s in line with a big increase in permits to carry. Many are first time buyers.
“Because of the huge influx of all these new first time gun buyers, we had a high demand for people to learn how to shoot and get some practice,” said Monson. “We’re still trying to catch up with all those first time buyers, getting them back in to get basic classes and getting them the skills they need to get them to properly get them to that conceal-carry class.”
In Anoka County, permits to carry more than doubled from 2538 in 2019, to 6279 permits in 2020. Monson points to fears caused by civil unrest, uncertainty about the pandemic, and national politics that could change gun control laws.
“People were coming in and saying ‘that’s happening in my neighborhood. That’s right down the street from one of my businesses.’ People couldn’t come to work for days. It had a real effect on people, real time.”
Sheriff James Stuart says people are reacting to a fear of the unknown.
“People are nervous about what the future holds and they hear about the defund movement and crime rates going up and Minneapolis literally being across the street from Anoka County, and seeing the crime rates spike as well as defund and dismantle the police department rhetoric,” said Stuart. “People are afraid if law enforcement can’t protect them, that they’re going to need to protect themselves.”
As long as someone is properly trained and permitted, Sheriff Stuart says he’s not concerned about the numbers.
“I personally don’t have a large concern with our permit holders. They tend to be the law abiding individuals,” said Stuart.
Both men say the trend is continuing this year.
“So far for 2021 our numbers are scheduled to surpass 2020,” said Stuart.
