Asian Americans Drive Gun Sales Up Over Fear of Coronavirus Hate Crimes

March 12, 2020

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*Asian folks are said to be rushing to out to gun stores to purchase weapons to protect themselves from racist attacks amid the coronavirus pandemic.

David Liu, the owner of Arcadia Firearm & Safety in San Gabriel Valley — which is situated in a large Asian community — claims business has been booming in recent weeks.

“It was crazy,” Liu told Newsweek. “One example is on March 3 and 4, I had 50 plus people come in here to take their firearms safety test and everyone one of them bought a gun. That’s quite unusual for my small shop,” he explained.

“They’re all coming in because the media is telling them that Asians are being targeted, Chinese are being targeted.”

Multiple reports claim several Asian Americans have been targeted in hate crimes in response to the virus, which was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December.

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Everything you need to know about the Chinese coronavirus can be found on one, regularly-updated website: https://t.co/nGCCDVqcqe

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) March 9, 2020

One Arcadia Firearm & Safety customer, Dirk Zhang, told CBSLA that now is “perfect time to get a weapon for ourselves,” noting that his wife was against having a gun in their home but has had a change of heart. “She’s a little afraid of the outbreak of the virus,” he added.

“I’ve checked with my distributor and most of their ammo is gone. It can’t be bought by just the Chinese…Americans are stocking up too,” Lui told Newsweek. “It’s just most Chinese don’t have guns, they just come in and buy them now.”

Other gun stores in California have seen a similar increase in customers as news reports on the numerous cities on lockdown to deal with the outbreak.

“Normally, we’re a pretty busy store, but this made it really, really crazy,” Dennis Lin, owner of Gun Effects and Cloud Nine Fishing in Industry, told KABC.

Lin said the Asian Americans in his community are purchasing weapons over fears of being targeted because of their race.

“Just people discriminating,” said Lin. “We forget, we’re all people. We’re in America, we’re not in China.”

One Gun Effects customer said she purchased a weapon over fear she may be attacked in her hometown of Rancho Cucamonga for being Chinese.

“So I have to protect my family and my son,” April Zhao told LAist.

World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Hygiene advice (via Newsweek):
· Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
· Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before; during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
· Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
· Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
· If you feel unwell (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and call local health authorities in advance.
· Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask usage
· Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
· Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
· Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
· Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
· Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of mask.
· Do not reuse single-use masks.