Local gun barn, range business remains strong

TEXARKANA, Texas - Business is staying strong for some in the area.

The Texarkana Gun Barn and Range is doing good business despite the coronavirus pandemic. Steve Shatto is the owner of the barn and range located at 1601 County Road 1214.

"I would say business is a bit better than it was this time last year," Shatto said. "We see an uptake of people purchasing, not just firearms, but accessories for firearms. They are purchasing range bags, glasses and hearing protection. There are times that we see big influxes.

"We have plenty of guns and a modest supply of ammunition. The issue we see is that our ability to purchase ammunition from our suppliers has diminished. Just like toilet paper, people made a rush on ammunition, so a lot of business are having a problem with their distribution centers in repurchasing it. There is about a 3-4 day shipping delay from the time that I order ammunition. For me, it is interesting that these (ammunition and toilet paper) are some of the things that drive people."

Internet ammunition seller ammo.com put out some sales numbers that showed from Feb. 23 to March 4, ammunition sales increased 68 percent compared with the 11 days leading up to Feb. 23.

"We went through an ammunition shortage a few years back," Shatto said. "The reason behind that was that people were afraid that they would lose the right to own firearms. This time around, I am not sure what exactly is driving the ammunition sales."

Some people may feel like they may have to hunt their own food if the state of current affairs reaches to the point of lower supplies of meat protein. Shatto gave his thoughts about this potential problem.

"Going back to the depression in the 1930s, people hunted, but they hunted the land barren," Shatto said. "There was hardly even a jack rabbit or anything available to hunt. So that way of getting food would only last so long. At that point it would come down to the skill of hunter versus people forging for something."

Other people may feel like they would have to defend their home or their cache of food and supplies.

"It is possible that people who are hunkered down feel like there may be marauders," Shatto said. "I am an instructor and I train a lot of people. I am not sure that many people are prepared to defend themselves and their homesteads. I think the uncertainty drives certain desires and fears in people."

Texarkana Gun Barn and Range has taken a few extra precautions in regards to sanitation. Not much has changed though for the normal operations of the business.

"It is a very fluid time," Shatto said. "We wipe surfaces more often and we make sure to have proper hygiene. I tell people to wash their hands. As far as our hours of operation and personnel, we have not made any changes. We will continue to serve our customers. The governor does not want gatherings of more than 10 people. People are smart and can make their own decisions based upon recommendations from our heath care providers and government.

"We have not had a need to make many adjustments. If this continues for a long time and we have less firearms or ammunition, then things might change. We are firearms sales, firearms training and we have an indoor range for people to shoot. What do people do for fun? We have seen an uptick on families in doing something that they haven't experienced before in shooting at the range. Our range business and our classes are up. We will continue to keep our doors open. Life goes on, and we are going to keep working."

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