Gun and ammunition sales soar; permits issued more than double in Western Pa.

In 100 years, the Army Navy & Indoor Pistol Range in Latrobe has seen just about everything, said owner Mark Boerio.

But nothing like coronavirus.

Boerio is not planning to close the store as the virus spreads across Western Pennsylvania. As of Tuesday, Allegheny County reported seven confirmed cases while Beaver County officials confirmed their first case Monday.

With 96 cases in the state, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Gov. Tom Wolf called for nonessential businesses to shut down to help curb the spread. It will be up to individual businesses and organizations to heed the order, according to Wolf.

Some local gun stores are choosing to stay open.

“For protection,” Boerio said on his decision to remain open. “We’re kind of considered an essential business. We try to clean really well, so we definitely want to take care of our customers by all means. We do sell survival stuff, so that’s part of that.”

He added that Army Navy has stayed in business through changes in the stock market and through wars.

Shooters Bench in West Deer has seen a surge in customers, similar to ranges across Western Pennsylvania, said manager Nate Gerheim. He added that the store will remain open as long as the background check system is up and running.

The same goes for A&S Indoor Pistol Range in Youngwood, said owner Todd Edmiston.

“We’ve been prosperous for the last week,” Edmiston said. “A lot of people for self protection, I’ve seen just a lot of purchases for home protection, even some new people who really haven’t had hand guns. Just hunters looking for home protection.”

Citing customers who have come into his store, Boerio said people are more worried about civil unrest than the coronavirus.

“Most people are worried about if anything like that (civil unrest) would happen,” he said. “We’ve been through everything, so we’ll be here now.”

One store, INPAX Gun Range located in McCandless, closed Monday, according to a voicemail message. The range will reopen once Wolf’s mandate is lifted.

Sales up

Some Western Pennsylvania gun shops are reporting sales soaring over the past several days, and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office said it issued twice as many gun permits Monday as it normally does.

Officials in Westmoreland County had not made a decision on whether or not to keep the sheriff’s office open as of Tuesday afternoon. A partial shutdown of the courthouse will begin Wednesday, meaning only “essential” personnel will report to work to maintain government operations.

Allegheny County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus said the firearms permit office, located in the Allegheny County Courthouse, would be closed for at least two weeks beginning Tuesday because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re taking a cautious approach to the virus and the amount of people that are coming to the office,” Kraus said. “We just felt it’s in the best interest of health and safety.”

Even before the closure was announced, nearly 100 people had gotten permits Monday morning. The number had reached 150 by 2 p.m.

Kraus said the office averages 40 to 70 permits a day.

Shortly before 1 p.m., there were more than a dozen people in a line that stretched into the courthouse courtyard.

Dan Budday, of Pleasant Hills, said he let his license lapse years ago.

“It just seemed like a good time with everything that’s going on and everything closing,” he said.

Joe Misczak, owner of Misczak’s Hunting Supplies in East Deer for 18 years, said sales of handguns and long guns have been up 50% in the past four days.

“Everyone wants to protect themselves,” Misczak said.

Bruce Piendl, owner of Allegheny Arms and Guns in Bethel Park, also reported brisk sales at his business. He said sales are typically up this time of year as people look to spend some of their tax refunds on new gun, but he thought the coronavirus pandemic and concerns of businesses such as his temporarily closing were also a factor.

John Burchell, owner of Steel City Guns in North Versailles, reported increased ammunition sales.

“It’s just like the people who were buying toilet paper, they are buying ammunition,” Burchell said.

Staying open

John Anderson, owner of Delmont Sport Shop in Delmont, said he does not plan to close his shop as he views it as essential.

“We’re essential to keep life, liberty and the freedom of happiness,” Anderson said.

The Keystone Shooting Center in Marshall Township posted Monday on Facebook that it was aware of Allegheny County’s request to close all nonessential businesses but it planned to stay open.

“After food and shelter, there is no greater need or necessity than the ability to protect oneself and one’s loved ones,” the Keystone Shooting Center wrote.

The center said it was taking extra precautions such as disinfecting equipment and giving their employees the option to work at home.

Allegheny Arms and Gun Works in Bethel Park is staying open because employees rely on the job to pay their bills and rent, said co-owner Josh Rowe.

“Here’s the thing, and you can ask any small business owner, until Pennsylvania starts paying our rent, paying our employees, providing food and shelter to everyone who works with us … No, we’re not changing at all,” Rowe said. “We can’t afford to.”

He said that closing a business for two weeks is viable for large companies like Target or Macy’s, not small businesses.

Rowe said this time of year normally is busy for the gun range as people have extra money from tax returns. While he would not make a direct correlation to a surge in sales and the coronavirus, he said people are worried they will not be able to complete a firearm transfer or stock up on ammunition due to the quarantine.

He did note, however, that store officials have seen a dip in people who are at a higher risk for contracting the virus.

“I can tell you that the number of cases of elderly customers has reduced,” Rowe said. “I think the majority of those people who know they’re higher risk are really taking a look at it.”

Those who are at the highest risk are people over 60 years old, those with respiratory or heart conditions or diabetes or those who are otherwise immuno-compromised.

“People panic buy everything, not just milk and eggs and toilet paper,” Gerheim said. “They buy ammunition and guns also.”