Driven by fears of new gun-control legislation in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, local firearms enthusiasts have engaged in what one gun shop employee called “panic buying.” Stucker, who co-owns Asheville's On Target shooting range and retail gun store, says she has resorted to calling her distributors on their personal cellphones at 6 a.m. to keep her shelves stocked.
The line at On Target's register stretched to shop's door on Friday, Dec. 21. Stucker said that while the hottest items were those that may be targeted by a new weapons ban, shoppers are buying up even common items that were not used in last week's shooting.
“There's no .22 ammo in the country,” she said. “Normally I could call all day, any day and get a hundred [boxes]. Now there's not a single round.”
Stucker said she has never seen such a run on guns, magazines and ammunition in On Target's 24-year history. Her sales staff has decided to ration certain items. Magazines — while they were in stock— were limited to five per customer.
All of On Target's AR-15 rifles — the same type used in the Newtown shooting and the supposed target of upcoming legislation — were sold out Friday afternoon, Dec. 21, except for a Smith and Wesson model. That rifle had been ordered for a customer who then failed to pass a federal background check administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The customer was not allowed to purchase the rifle.
“The ATF said, 'Tell the guy to get out of your store,'” said Stucker's husband, also an owner. “So we have one left.”
“And this one will be gone by the end of the day,” Dawn Stucker added.
The scene was similar at the sporting goods counter at the Walmart's on Bleachery Blvd., where impatient customers waited for service among bare shelves. At Enka's Guns n' Gear shop, an employee who asked not to be identified said they had also begun rationing purchases of ammunition and magazines. By 5 p.m. Friday, only a few boxes of most popular calibers were left.
“We're just trying to be fair,” said the employee. “There might be a kid out there who got his first .22 rifle for Christmas, and we don't want him to wake up Christmas day and not be able to shoot it because this happened.”
Dawn Stucker said she believed the run on guns and ammunition is ironic, given the intent of the legislation.
“They're trying to disarm America,” she said. “But now, we're armed to the hilt.”
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“They're trying to disarm America,” she said. “But now, we're armed to the hilt.” - That is the scariest sentence I've heard in my life.
By Jason
12/22/2012
This is an emotionally charged topic for a number of reasons, so Xpress asks that all who wish to comment make an extra effort to remain respectful and civil.
By Margaret Williams
12/22/2012
I sent this to the people on the Board of the ATP:
“Hello to y’all,
I am writing to voice my support for the request to hold off your raffle as families are still grappling with their child being riddled with bullets. I understand at least one of you feels it is your right to continue and not stop your right to bear arms in some form. I am not here to address that issue. There are political, social, and spiritual dimensions to that point, but, this is beyond that.
I have always been impressed with people in NC, especially, my conservative friends..and, many conservative Christians. For those whom are religious, I would ask you to consider that cliche’d question, “what would Jesus do?” The Jesus I know and love would have compassion for the hurting and broken lives he encountered. It seem like such a gesture of postponing the raffle would be a simple one. We cannot erase those deaths, but, we can share our support, as some of us did…releasing balloons with the peoples’ names on them, a candle lighting service tonight, and, others folks may do to help wrap their mind around this horrendous tragedy.
One can argue that tragedies happen daily, and this is correct. A friend of mine sat watching her father dying this past week. Am I to tell her it’s no big deal, because we all die? Anyone knowing me could easily tell you I think about life and death issues almost daily. I find myself in tears when moments like this happen. It breaks my heart until I am not sure how it can heal again. My faith in God has shown me that He can…just as when ******* died in the South Tower on 9/11. It worries me that folks seem not to be able to set aside their own agendas when there is such pain, until it hits us personally, then, we grieve and grapple with reasons and resolution.
I wonder if it is possible to not have the raffle winner chosen until January. It may not seem like much, but, for folks deeply pained, it means much. Even the NRA showed a gesture of support. I doubt anyone believes this will lead to a nationwide ban on gun ownership. Any thinking person can see that would not happen, for there are so many that support responsible ownership.
I would hope if your lives were touched by tragedy, those surrounding you would find meaningful ways to be supportive. As for myself, I do not feel I can use my “rights” as a citizen or Christian to overlook others. If I would want others to respect my rights and beliefs, I must offer the same, even if I do not agree with it. It does not mean I am compromising my beliefs, just an acknowledgment that many do not share my beliefs. I can share them without hesitation, but, I am also mindful that God never pushed his way into the “door” of my heart. He loved me and drew me close.
Let us all draw folks around us near, share that love, and be the light to the nations I think we can be, when we hold each other with the same esteem that God does. I think Jesus would rather us be busy about his business of comforting the hurting, and reaching out to those in need. We are told that a “pure religion” is defined by the service we do and how we reach out with God’s love.
Please give an example of this love to the nation. I think this will bring more respect from other people for your steadfast values, rather, than saying it is “your right” to not do so. This is correct, but, with those rights, come a great responsibility (I’m not talking about Spider-Man).
I hope you will respond with a thoughtful answer, and, seek God’s wisdom, rather than political agendas. Even if others do so, please be the leadership material you could be if you set a different standard than “they” do. Let this become a “we” moment, much like after 9/11, and earthquakes I experienced when I lived in Ca.
Let this not become an “oh, how sad” moment…rather, a place to start meaningful discussions that come from the heart of God, and from the hearts and minds of those who are capable of showing great compassion.
Thank you in advance for reading this.
Deep respect,
TJ Amos, MA
***********
As a therapist, I have worked with grieving families. My experience showed me that the biggest factor of the healing process was the person having connections with folks they felt could understand their pain. Let us offer this today, and, not walk away, simply because our “neighbor” is in another state.”
Sent from my iPhone
“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.”
-Albert Einstein
Wow! I just realized the ad says a “donation” of 10.00 to enter? 10.00 will allow someone to own a gun? And the package value?
I wonder how that translates into the cost of human lives impacted??
:::sigh:::
By TJ
12/22/2012
Yes, thank you Margaret. Now is though on all of us. We have the right to defend ourselves and defend our rights. The lines to obtain permits, weapons and ammo speak for themselves, Chad Nitwitt et.al giving away an "AR" and "preppers" being a significant source of interest in WNC, we all have much to be concerned about. I will spend the Taxpayers' money to place a sworn law enforcement officer in every public school. I will, in no way, endorse the NRA or the RNC. I expect to see all ya'll at the polls or the next gun show. Which ever comes first....
By mtndow
12/23/2012
“They're trying to disarm America,” she said. “But now, we're armed to the hilt.”
Yes, it is true that America is "armed to the hilt" The only change in the gun ownership situation that has occurred under this administration is to make it easier to carry firearms in national parks.
However, America has in a way already become "disarmed." In light of the stunning display of lunacy on the part of characers like gun industry lackey Wayne LaPierre and other extremists in the wake of the school massacre, it's pretty clear that America is fast on its way to being disarmed of common sense and social responsibility.
By Dionysis
12/23/2012