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Coronavirus fears spark surge in local gun sales

Coronavirus fears spark surge in local gun sales
Posted at 6:07 PM, Apr 08, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-08 19:10:32-04

People are not only concerned abou their health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but many are also concerned about their safety.

Bayou Teche Guns in Arnaudville has seen an increase of guns and ammunition, and they expect the numbers to keep growing.

"In the last couple of weeks, probably in the neighborhood of a couple a hundred, which is not normal for this time of year," said Mike Brazda.

Bayou Teche Guns owner, Mike Brazda says because of the coronavirus pandemic sales are up. His biggest buyers so far have been single women and elderly couples.

"People just want to defend what they have. It's normal you know when there's panics going on, that's how that goes," said Brazda.

According to the FBI, gun stores across the country are reporting strong sales. Of almost four million background checks done in March, 2.5 million were for gun purchases.

"I use my guns for hunting, self-defense, work, everything," said Bayou Teche customer Raphael Segerea.

Segerea is a regular customer at Bayou Teche, and he says with more people buying guns, he feard ammunition could run out.

"I have enough pretty much already. It was just one gun I didn't have any bullets for and I know it's going to get to the point where you can't buy them," said Segerea.

With more customers coming into Bayou Teche Guns, Brazda recommends new gun owners to learn how to use them properly.

"Seek some training out. Get with some people so that Heaven forbid if you need to use it you would be capable of managing the firearm," said Brazda

Brazda believes that when the number of cases decrease in Louisiana, he expects gun sales to decrease also.