Dealers say they can’t keep guns on the shelves amid COVID-19 pandemic

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — While many stores have seen sales dry up, gun dealers can't keep guns in stock.

A quick check with the FBI shows a record number of people applied for their gun background checks in March — 3.7 million.

Nearly 3 million more had a background check just last month to buy a gun.

Channel 2 Cobb County bureau chief Chris Jose stopped by Governors Gun Club on Thursday where the store’s owner said guns are going out as quickly as they get them in.

Uncertainty fueled by the coronavirus pandemic has brought people in.

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“March, there was a ramp up. By April and May, the market was completely crazy,” store owner Bert Brown said.

“How tough is it to get a gun right now?" Jose asked Brown.

“It’s not difficult to get a gun; it’s just the selection is limited,” Brown said. “It’s taking a little bit of time for the manufacturers to catch up and get the shelves full again.”

According to the latest numbers from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, first quarter gun sales are up 41%.

The organization said 4.8 million guns were sold in the first quarter compared to 3.4 million in the same time last year. In March alone, sales were up 80%.

Brown told Jose he has seen a surge of first time gun buyers.

“The semi-automatic pistol is probably the most difficult to find out there,” Brown said, showing Jose the empty spots in the store’s showroom.

And it’s not just guns. Self-defense ammunition is low, too.

“.45, .40, you just don’t have any self-defense ammo available,” Brown said.

While there is a backlog, Brown said the Governor’s Gun Club will continue to meet demand.

“You’re starting to see that the supply chain is picking up. But full recovery may take through the end of the year,” Brown said.

Brown also owns Talon, a gun manufacturer in Cobb County. He said some parts are tough to get right now and it has slowed down production.

Much like the food industry, the gun industry has seen supply chain disruptions too.

Parts of the Battery Atlanta will reopen Thursday Safety is top of mind, so you will notice some changes.

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