It's not just canned goods and toilet paper that people are stocking up on as cases of COVID-19, commonly known as the Wuhan virus or Chinese coronavirus, are on the rise in the United States. People are also rushing to buy firearms and ammunition.
On social media, people posted their shock at how long the lines were in California, particularly the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which prompted snarky and frightened responses from people.
"What the?!? Your gun ain't going to save you!" a mutual friend wrote on a Facebook post with a picture of a long line outside of one gun store in Burbank, California.
"Omg is this real, now I'm scared," wrote another.
"I've seen a few posts like this now. This is scary," another person said.
I want to add there are lines out the door for gun shops?! Excuse me??? pic.twitter.com/MRago1EVHQ
— Jessica Michel (@micheljessica_) March 14, 2020
If you thought the lines at the grocery store are long... good morning from Los Angeles ?? pic.twitter.com/NudGqwW4I2
— CJ Johnson (@cjjohnsonjr) March 14, 2020
Crowded gun store in Culver City today... shopper there was told demand/traffic is being driven by #Coronavirus concerns pic.twitter.com/ZMavhczSSv
— Lauren Lyster (@LaurenLyster) March 14, 2020
People also made snide comments on how the "dumb" gun owners are going to try to shoot the virus.
But here's the thing, people are buying firearms to protect themselves in case the situation within the country devolves into something similar to Italy and China.
Panicked shoppers in the United States are lining the streets to purchase guns as an overwhelming sense of fear sweeps the country. @AmeliaAdams9 #9News pic.twitter.com/0kqRj16ClE
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) March 15, 2020
The people of Los Angeles remember when civil unrest reached a fever pitch during the Rodney King riots in 1992 and police were nowhere to be found. The Asian-American community famously took the safety of themselves and businesses into their own hands and posted up on rooftops with firearms to ward off would-be looters.
While hopefully, the country does not reach that point, it's better to be safe than sorry. It's disturbing to see how there are many people who would mock others who are thinking about defending themselves from those who did not prepare or those who are willing to take advantage of others.
It is just as unfortunate for those who are buying firearms now and having to jump through the many hoops the state has put in front of them. Hopefully, it will open their eyes and push them to vote to change the strict gun laws in the future.
Stay strapped or get clapped.