Local gun, ammo sales surge as virus crisis looms

Amid the uncertainty, it appears Flathead Valley residents are buying more guns and ammunition to prepare for any possible outcome as a cloudy future looms with the threat of COVID-19.

With the virus spreading throughout the United States, firearm sales at many sporting goods and gun stores throughout the country are soaring, and shops in the Flathead Valley are experiencing a similar surge. Snappy Sport Senter General Manager David Toelke explained sales in their gun department are considerably higher than usual.

“I really can’t give you a numbers comparison or percentage, but the word ‘significant’ would describe it. A significant increase in both guns and ammo sales,” Toelke said.

As people’s fear over this pandemic increased over the last month, displayed by clearing the grocery shelves of food and paper goods, the desire to stock up on weapons also increased. Entering gun departments of local stores, it is clear that crowds have been picking through the merchandise.

Although the shelves are not completely bare, ammunition is currently a high-demand commodity. Some supply stores, such as Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply in Kalispell, are limiting ammo purchases to only two boxes of the same caliber for each customer. And at Sportsman & Ski Haus, Store Manager Kyle Joos said many popular types of ammunition, such as .223 and 5.56 caliber rounds, are gone from the shelves.

“People are stocking up on handgun ammo, self-defense ammo, even a lot of normal hunting rifle ammo that doesn’t sell in big quantities until hunting season, it is also selling out,” Joos said.

And in regard to actual firearms, the biggest sellers across the valley as of late are handguns, shotguns and semi-automatic rifles.

Guns are selling almost as fast as the toilet paper and canned goods in the grocery stores, and apparently is a correlation between these sales and the nationwide shutdowns due to coronavirus.

“I think right now people are feeling unsafe in their gut and want some safety in a firearm,” Joos said. “A lot of firearm sales that are happening over this last week are people who have never purchased one before. And they are coming in because they are scared and they want some protection.”

COVID-19 is causing more than just a widespread, highly contagious illness. It is generating a panic because people are uncertain over how many events will be canceled and how long social gathering spots will be closed. In the Flathead especially, many residents are dealing with losing their jobs, canceling trips and altering their normally social lifestyle. Joos believes all of these issues and changes could lead to people wanting to buy more firearms, especially of the self-defense sort.

“It all is in harmony with the coronavirus for the many, many reasons that people’s lives are changing because of it,” Joos said. “Whether it’s unemployment, grocery store hysteria, people becoming rogue… the nervousness of supply in the future creates a situation where people want to buy ammunition before it becomes unavailable due to supply issues or high-demand issues.”

Even local Kalispell pawn shops are feeling customers’ increased need for guns and ammunition. At First National Pawn in Kalispell, Manager Kenny Nelson agreed there is a surge in gun sales with many people looking to be prepared for the unknown circumstances of the future.

“It seems like more people are coming in lately for pistols or shotguns, like a home defense type of thing or personal defense,” Nelson said. “Sort of panicking, so to speak, with the [coronavirus] going on, is my opinion.”

Nelson reiterated that of others’ opinions, that the only explanation for it is the worry surrounding the current state of the world and simply wanting to be prepared for anything.

“They don’t know what’s going to happen so they’re kind of scared because there’s not much out there for direction if something were to happen,” Nelson said.

However, at Snappy’s, Toelke said gun sales were already up because it is common to have an increase during an election year anyway. Therefore, both the virus panic and political changes in the air are leading to an even higher number of customers looking for protection.

“In fact we were seeing [sales] increase after the first of the year before the pandemic hit, and now with those two things going on at the same time we’re certainly seeing an increase,” he added.

In Montana, residents own firearms for several different reasons. There are many recreational opportunities involving guns, and there are also desires of personal protection for some. People’s rationale to own different guns at various points in their lives can change depending on their circumstances, and Joos said protection is rocketing to the top priority right now.

“Certainly home protection and personal protection currently is probably the top of the list. But at different times in our lives and different times of the year it’s at the bottom of the list,” Joos said.

COVID-19 infections became real for Flathead County on Friday when the first two positive cases were reported.

“Right now people are buying lots of guns and ammo for their own self preservation, to feel safe,” Joos said.

Reporter Whitney England may be reached at 758-4419 or wengland@dailyinterlake.com