CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On a Tuesday morning in the summer, Hyatt Gun Shop would typically be quiet. But since Friday's shooting in Colorado, Larry Hyatt said that business has tripled.
"July is generally the slowest month of the year and it's been busy, so busy that Saturday we almost had to lock the door," Hyatt said.
He said that what unfolded in Colorado has people thinking about their safety.
"They've basically been saying, 'Gosh, we may need to carry a gun everywhere we go now,'" Hyatt said.
Hyatt said the concern isn't just about immediate safety. He said some people are afraid time is running out.
"People know when this type of thing happens, you're going to get a lot of laws proposed. It's a highly emotional time," he said.
"Anti-gun people use this as a weapon and it shouldn't be," said Larry Crandall, from the company The Armed Citizen.
He sells guns and ammunition online. He also teaches classes. Since Friday, he has seen up to a 20 percent increase in calls.
"They are wanting to know what they can do to protect themselves," Crandall said.
He has had people specifically ask about carrying in movie theatres and other public places. Both men say that in North Carolina, you can't bring a concealed weapon anywhere you have to pay to get in.
Hyatt has seen an increase in business after mass shootings before. He said it will slow down but with an election coming up, that may not happen soon.
"Gun control has been left out of this election almost totally. Now it's back," Hyatt said.
WSOC
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
