Gun shops see boom in business due in part to robberies - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

Local pawn and gun shops are seeing a boom in business thanks in part to a string of recent robberies.

"Just ten minutes ago I had a customer come in and say she's looking for a shotgun for home protection for her family," said John Green, an employee at JC's Gun and Tackle Shop. "A year ago that would have been rare."

JC's Gun and Tackle Shop in Huntsville sells firearms and recent reports of robberies and break ins resulted in more people wanting personal protection.

"How many more people are coming in because of these stories? I'd say 20 or 30 percent more," said Green.

Green said rifles were hard to keep in stock months ago, but now that trend has switched to hand guns.

Green said many people have stories when they come in to buy a gun and nothing surprises him anymore, especially the recent Atlantis Corner robbery where the clerk shot and killed the offender.

"If you're faced with deadly force you have the right to use deadly force whether you're a citizen, clerk, or police officer," said Green. "It's either you or them. […] It's unfortunate but that's the way the economy is and that's what a lot of people are resorting to is crime."

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