Government

---

Americans in dealing with the fast-spreading coronavirus more weapons bought in the last month, than at any other point since The Fbi began collecting data more than 20 years. Why?

With the Death Toll climbing Every Day and most of the country under some form of lockdown, many Americans seem to turn to weapons as a part of your answer.

And it's not just about fears of social unrest, experts say.

What do the figures show?

The Fbi 3. 7m background checks in March 2020, the highest total since the instant background check program began in 1998.

The figure represents an increase of 1. 1m through March 2019.

On the 21. In March alone, over 210,000 tests were carried out, the largest one-day record ever recorded.

According to US media, the show FBI data, more than two million guns were purchased in March alone.

Illinois led with almost half a million in sales, followed by Texas, Kentucky, Florida and California.

Gun shops across the country report that they re able to to-stock to cope with the shelves quickly enough to the onslaught.

The latest image also tops the previous high of 3. 3 million, in December 2015, according to the Obama administration, the possibility of the restriction raised the storm rifle in The Wake of a mass shooting in San Bernardino , California.

Why are the sales by leaps and bounds?

According to the Georgia State University law school professor Timothy Lytton, an expert on the US gun industry, the majority of new gun sales motivated by two factors spurred on by the coronavirus crisis.

The First is the concern that the civil Society - Fire service, police and health services could be severely "eroded" One Day , leading to a collapse of law and order. In such a case, a gun can be seen as a "self-help" survival tool," he says.

The Second reason is The concern about the so-called Big Government infringing on American freedoms, such as weapons possession, written in the US Constitution.

"Many of the Public Health measures, such as protection-in-place, restriction of people's movements, the limit of what you can buy," Mr. Litton says, "raises fears in many groups, the potential for Government takeover and tyranny. "

In some ways, these two reasons are in contradiction to each other, he told Bbc News .

"Some People are concerned about the fact that the Government is falling apart and will not protect you and Other People are worried that the Government is Too Strong and go to the restriction of their freedom. "

Why I bought my first gun

A new gun owner, told Bbc News that he made the decision to buy, the announced its first two firearms on March 12, a day after the NBA that the stopping of all the games.

The Man , who asked that his name not be used, he says, with a view to its decision about an extension of the leadership, he had seen emergency officials have told the American to check whether you a few days supply of food and water in case of interruptions in the supply chain.

"I think it is hard to discount the very small chance it is temporary and unrest go where I can't rely on The Police .

"And a gun is cheap insurance against", says The Man who grew up in Berkeley, California, and now lives in Chicago.

It's all well and good, a stock of food and supplies, but there is no use with All That without a means of defense, he argues.

What has been the reaction?

admitted to Some States, gun to operate in business, as "essential" company in spite of mandatory lockdown orders around 90% of US.

New York , Massachusetts and New Mexico forced to close stores, but they have allowed to continue the online sale. To close Washington state ordered stores, but also to operate several more, in spite of the ban.

Gun Control advocacy groups have praised the closures.

"There is no constitutional right to instantly buy or sell weapons. And certainly there is no law on spread of coronavirus in the purchase or sale of weapons," Kris Brown , President of the anti-gun violence Brady Campaign , told Nbc News .

Shannon Watts, the Moms Demand Action, said she has been caring for the Families of the new gun owners, she says, are adding danger to an already tense situation.

Amy Hunter , a spokeswoman for The National Rifle Association (NRA), said in a statement to Bbc News that "headlines about prisoners furloughs and law enforcement responded selectively to calls have made many recognize the seriousness of self-defense in these unprecedented times.

"in addition, efforts by some anti-gun politician shutter-gun-Shops have been deeply concerned about law-abiding Americans. That is why the NRA makes no apology for our efforts to ensure the gun stores remain open, so that law-abiding people can exercise their right to defend themselves and their Families . "

What is the influence of arms sales can?

US domestic politics often influence the sale of weapons, as the Democratic candidates are viewed as more likely to Crack Down on gun rights than Republicans like President Trump.

Gun sales Spike to defeat after President Obama's two election victories and increased in 2016, Hillary Clinton rose in the presidential polls and was widely expected, Mr Trump. The revenue was then, after Mr Trump's victory.

Mass shootings that solve the fears of gun advocates a RAID on private property, also lead to go to the sale of weapons and ammunition.

"on It tends to go up and down, depending on what people's anxiety levels," says Mr Lytton.

Normally, adds to the concern about access to weapons, he.

"Or in this case, it's anxiety over the deterioration of the Government or the growth of Government . "

coronavirus pandemic, united states, us gun laws

Source of news: bbc.com