Terrorism in the crosshairs

  • Todd C. Frankel and Marcie Miller / Herald Writers
  • Saturday, September 22, 2001 9:00pm
  • Local NewsLocal news

By Todd C. Frankel and Marcie Miller

Herald Writers

At Sam’s Gun Shop in Everett, customers prompted by the terrorist attacks have "basically run us out of guns," said co-owner Sam Brown.

At Puget Sound Security in Marysville, the buyers of shotguns are not hunters but people interested in self-defense. And there’s been a 40 percent jump in firearm and ammunition sales at Gun Town in Lynnwood.

"My impression," said Gun Town owner Bob Wydro, "is they’re worried additional terrorist attacks may cause chaos."

First, it was American flags that sold quickly in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and America’s movement toward military conflict in the Middle East. Now, it’s guns. And it’s happening across the country.

Wal-Mart reported last week that gun sales spiked 70 percent in the hours after the attacks, before tapering off. Kmart instituted a temporary halt to its gun sales after the attack.

Another popular buy: gas masks. They can be found at some military surplus stores, or on Internet auction sites, where new Israeli gas masks are going for at least $50 each.

"People are feeling unrest, nervousness, not knowing what tomorrow might bring," explained Keith Bunn at Puget Sound Security.

Bunn said he’s seen mostly new customers come through the door. The first gun Bunn sold after the terrorist attacks was to a male schoolteacher. More women have been into his store than usual, too. Then there are the men who have held off buying until now.

"Some wanted to for a long time, but their wives were against it. They’re not anymore," Bunn said.

But not everyone is looking to arm themselves against terrorists. Some of the upswing in sales can be attributed to the start of hunting season. That’s why Rick Deatherage of Everett was browsing the rifles at Sam’s Gun Shop with his twin 15-year-old sons Allen and Brian.

The connection between gun sales and terrorist acts thousands of miles away may appear tenuous. It’s not clear what a short-barreled 12-gauge shotgun tucked away at home will do to prevent a hijacking or bombing.

But Wydro said the purchases are more emotional than practical. People are motivated by the same emotions that follow a home burglary. People feel violated by the hijacking of four planes and subsequent crashes into the World Trade Center towers and Pentagon, he said.

"That’s the attitude now," Wydro said. "People feel their home, their nation was violated."

You can call Herald Writer Todd C. Frankel at 425-339-3429

or send e-mail to frankel@heraldnet.com.

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