Arms Dealers across the country are noting an increase in the number of sales coming from Asian-Americans, this comes off the back of a rise in hate crimes against Asian-Americans.
Jimmy Gong, the owner of Jimmy’s Sport Shop in New York, spoke with Forbes Magazine about the recent uptick in sales to the Asain-American community. From Forbes.com:
“There are more Asians being introduced to firearms,” said Jimmy Gong, the owner of Jimmy’s Sport Shop in Mineola, New York. “Before, there was never gun culture in the Asian community. But after the pandemic and all the hate crime going on, there are more Asians buying guns to defend themselves.”
Gong said that his gun sales have doubled during the pandemic, and about half of his business comes from Asian-Americans, who also buy lots of pepper spray.
A mass shooting in the Atlanta area has placed a grisly spotlight on anti-Asian violence. Eight people, including six women of Asian descent, were shot to death in a rampage at three spas on Tuesday. Robert Aaron Long, who’s been charged with the murders, said he was motivated by sex addiction and that it wasn’t about racial targeting, according to police. But the fact that most of his victims were Asian wasn’t lost on anybody.
Hate crimes against Asian-Americans surged 149% in 2020, while overall hate crimes fell 7%, according to a study based on police statistics by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. The researchers found that hate crimes spiked in March and April 2020 “amidst a rise in Covid cases and negative stereotyping of Asians relating to the pandemic.”
It is always good to see more first-time gun buyers regardless of race, color, or creed. This increase means that more Americans will be able to understand gun laws and have a better understanding of the legislation that is going through Congress.
Among the most popular choices of firearms are the Glock-18 and AR-15, two solid options for those new to firearms.
