CHARLOTTE — Everyone in Hyatt Gun Shop will be required to wear a mask starting at 5 p.m. Friday as part of Gov. Roy Cooper’s mandate.
It’s a rule some gun owners have been wary of.
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The Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office wrote a post on Facebook after speaking with its attorney and said. “There is no statute prohibiting you from wearing a mask for your protection against a virus while legally carrying concealed.”
The confusion stems from a state statute that says it's a crime for someone to wear a mask or conceal their identity in public.
“A few come in with a mask and gun six months ago,” said Larry Hyatt, owner of Hyatt Gun Shop. “We would have really been looking at you but now it’s commonplace. Starting tomorrow, it’s going to be everybody.”
Hyatt said the mask mandate comes as more people are becoming gun owners for the first time.
He said sales for shotguns and rifles are up.
The gun shop owner said more people are signing up for classes partly due to COVID-19, recent protests and talk of police reform nationwide.
“People want self-protection,” Hyatt said. “They want classes. They want knowledge on the proper gun. It really taxes staff, because there’s a lot of teaching going on.”
Hyatt has a message for the public.
“Be aware that if you’re wearing a mask and carrying a gun,” Hyatt said. “Be aware you can scare people. Be aware if you’re wearing a gun and a mask what you might look like.”
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