In response to the events of Sept. 11, an increasing number of Americans are exercising their right to bear arms, raising firearm sales nationally and locally.
The Virginia State Police Department has reported a 32 percent increase in the number of background checks for the sale of firearms since Sept. 11. Because all firearm buyers in Virginia must undergo a check regarding their criminal history, the rising number of background checks indicates that firearm sales generally have increased.
Nationally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation states that the number of applications for firearm ownership increased by 15 percent in the two days following the terrorist attacks alone. Many of these buyers are purchasing firearms for the first time.
Steve Clark, co-owner of the Warrenton firearm retailer Clark Brothers Guns, reports that sales at his store have increased by 15 to 20 percent since Sept. 11. His store also has sold more handguns and home defense shotguns recently. Additionally, Clark has observed an increase in customers applying for concealed weapon permits from the state of Virginia.
In Charlottesville, Stephen Almand, manager of Mountain River Outdoors, has observed a substantial increase in gun sales recently. Almand claims this increase probably is because of a combination of the start of the hunting season and people's reactions to the terrorist attacks.
"The terrorist attacks are making people think about their own vulnerability, and some people are acting on that by purchasing a firearm because its an easy way to protect oneself," he said.
There are several firearm retailers in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area that sell a variety of guns, including pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles. In addition, people interested in purchasing a firearm can use the classified section of Charlottesville's Daily Progress to purchase a used gun directly from its owner.
Lastly, firearm purchasers can turn to an Internet retailer. Web sites such as gunindex.com lists hundreds of online dealers and retailers selling a broad range of firearms, which has made gun purchases even more accessible.
There are over 200 million legally owned firearms in the United States. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has found criminal usage of firearms to be only 2.5 percent of the 2 million yearly instances of firearm usage for defensive purposes.
Though gun sales have been increasing, there has not been a noticeable increase in memberships among local firearm-related associations.
The Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club, a 900-member Charlottesville club that owns a shooting range five miles south of the city, has had no unusual change in membership, said Board of Directors member Paul Benneche.
There also has been no change in membership in the state branch of the National Rifle Association, also known as the Virginia Shooting Sports Association.
Usually there are about 20 to 30 new members per month, adding to the membership of over 4,200.
"Most members of this association strongly support the ability to own firearms for self-defense," Executive Director J. Lucien Sharrett said. "While I would not discourage anyone from purchasing firearms, I think it's important for people to take proper training courses on the use of firearms, which a lot of these first-time buyers may not be getting."
At the University, students have mixed opinions on whether buying a gun for self-defense is a wise choice.
Third-year College student Adam Nash, who grew up with firearms and learned to shoot a gun at the age of six, now believes guns should not be purchased for self-defense.
"Lots of people panic and get hurt because they aren't educated about the use of guns and don't understand the effects of guns on their family," he said. "We don't need guns for self-defense because we have a strong militia to protect us, which is what the Second Amendment intended."
Some University students have a different opinion, though.
"Those bumper stickers that say 'Where I come from, gun control is using both hands' are pretty extreme," said second-year college student Virginia Ridenour. "I know I would want to own a gun if I were living alone. I'd probably keep it unloaded because of gun risks"
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