More people buying guns

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Attacks boost interest in gunsBy Leon Fooksman, Vicky Agnew And Nancy L. Oth?n Staff Writers Posted September 29 2001 For years, Lee Einhorn and his wife had been thinking about buying a gun for protection. But they never acted on the idea - not until the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.Last week, the Boynton Beach man inquired about taking a safety class to prepare him for owning a gun."This re-sparked my interest," said Einhorn, 66. "I'm getting it for security reasons. And secondly, I feel like I've got two strikes against me. I'm American. And I'm Jewish."Einhorn is among hundreds of South Floridians who have rushed out to take gun safety classes, sign up for shooting practice, or buy guns and rifles to ease a sense of vulnerability and fear in the aftermath of the nation's worst terrorist assault.Gun shop owners have seen a dramatic increase in gun and ammunition purchases, particularly among women, senior citizens and first-time gun owners. One shooting gallery operator said he has hired an extra instructor for classes that are booked a month in advance.State law enforcement officials have reported a spike in background checks on people seeking to buy guns.The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it made 6,773 checks during six days after Sept. 11, compared with 4,519 checks in the eight days preceding the assault. Officials said the rise probably was in reaction to the incidents, but it's also the time of year for gun shows and it's close to hunting season, which begins in November.Similarly, nervousness over biological and chemical weapons is fueling a demand for gas masks, chemical suits and survival gear."There's a lot of fears left over from Y2K," said Andy Molchan, director of Fort Lauderdale-based Professional Gun Retailers Association, many of whose 4,000 gun store members have seen increased in sales. "People feel threatened and apprehensive, and they don't know what the future will bring."Bob McCane, a gun appraiser who works at Revere Gun Range, a shooting range and gun shop in Pompano Beach, said his store received a shipment of five to seven guns on Tuesday. They were sold out the next day."Compared to what it used to be, this week is like somebody kicked an ant hill," McCane said. "Compared to last year, [business] is up about 90 percent. They're wanting basic handguns for protection, and they're also looking for basic instruction."Mike Caruso, owner of the Delray Shooting Center in Delray Beach, said gun sales increased 50 percent to 75 percent since Sept. 11, especially to women and seniors. His store's shooting range has been packed, with a 30-minute wait at times on the weekends, he said.First-time gun buyers spend an average of $700, including accessories and instruction, he said. The most popular items have been 9 mm and .40-caliber handguns, though Caruso is also selling .223-caliber rifles and 12-gauge shotguns. For the first time, he's taking orders for gas masks.A hot commodity is an 8-by-10-inch target with a photo of Osama bin Laden, Caruso said. Selling for $1 each, all 200 or so were gone within a day of the attack.The rush to buy a gun, while a natural reaction to fear, it isn't the smartest decision, said Stuart Vyse, a professor of psychology at Connecticut College. People buying guns to protect their families against burglars often end up shooting someone in their homes by accident, he said."More people carrying guns won't help us," Vyse said. "Your fears can be worsened by avoiding certain situations. People shouldn't be afraid. At a time like this, it's extremely important to go about your normal life."The surge in gun-buying is disturbing to Ira Jaffe of Boca Raton, who went to the Delray Shooting Center on Friday to practice."A lot of people are on edge," said Jaffe, who has been a gun owner for a couple of years. "It's a knee-jerk reaction to go out and buy a gun. I don't think it's a good idea."If you're going to own a gun, you should have some training. Not everyone is responsible enough to get a gun."Many gun buyers said they fear two things: foreign soldiers invading the United States or criminals taking advantage of a crisis."A lot of [customers] are worried about the same type of lawlessness that happened during Hurricane Andrew," Caruso said, referring to the looting that went on in the aftermath of the 1992 hurricane.Those fears prompted Denise Thomas, 45, to put $300 down on her first gun - .38-caliber Smith & Wesson - at Big Al's on Hallandale Beach Boulevard. The store sells all types of guns, offers classes in gun use and safety, and operates an on-site firing range.She went to the shop with her son, Scott Thomas, 23, who owned a gun before the attacks. He's bought three more handguns since Sept. 11.Denise Thomas said she is buying the gun on layaway and plans to keep it in her nightstand. A lifelong opponent of guns, she said safety fears prompted a change of heart."I hate guns - they could turn on you. They're dangerous and accidents happen," she said. "This is a major step for me. You don't know if it's going to be nuclear or whatever.people just go nuts and start invading your territory."Robert Trokey, who owns Firearms Plus in Fort Lauderdale, said he sells everything from pepper spray to assault rifles. All are selling faster than usual.Trokey said he thinks owning guns and gas masks, which he doesn't sell, gives people a false sense of security. This is spam. He added that he regretted his business has increased because of a tragedy.Dan Olson of Boynton Beach went to the Delray Shooting Center on Friday to fix the trigger on one of his handguns.He said that since the attack, he's loaded all of his guns. He won't say how many."I thought there would be chaos in the streets," Olson said.Richard D'Onofrio, Big Al's owner, said he thinks such fears are reasonable. He said people who buy guns in a time of crisis are "rugged individualists" who want to help themselves."Would you feel better in the time of crisis with an AK-47 in the closet?" he said. "I know I would."Leon Fooksman can be reached at lfooksman@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6647. Gun Sales Increase (Sun-Sentinel/Cindy Jones-Hulfachor)Sep 29, 2001 MORE HEADLINES http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-pguns930.story