Just after 10 a.m. Tuesday more than 100 people were either inside or lining up outside Perry’s Gun Shop in Wendell, the store’s owner said.

Nearly half were in the store, where owner Barry Perry said he was trying to enforce social distancing.

“I am trying to limit the number of people in the store to recognize the six-foot safety limit,” he said.

The gun store, which is selling hundreds of firearms a day, is one of many across the Triangle and the nation seeing business surge as new and existing gun owners clear shelves of guns and ammunition amid the uncertainty of the novel coronavirus’ impact on the community and supply chains.

“Everybody has a different reason,” Perry said. “I think overall, they just don’t feel comfortable at home.”

Permit applications up

Store owners contacted Tuesday said they were too busy to calculate just how much sales have increased, but Triangle sheriff’s departments say they have seen handgun-related permit applications jump in recent weeks.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office experienced a nearly 500% increase in pistol purchase permits last week compared to the same time in 2018.

In North Carolina, a concealed carry or pistol purchase permit is required in order to a buy a handgun. Those permits are obtained through residents’ sheriffs’ offices.

Rifles and shotguns can be purchased at a federally licensed firearms dealer with a state I.D. background check conducted through the FBU.

Demand was so great at the Wake County Sheriff’s Office that officials last week reduced the Pistol Purchase Permits Office hours among concerns about adequate social distancing in a line that snaked outside the door, said Eric Curry, a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

“We have seen a record number of applications due to the COVID-19 situation,” Curry said.

On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office suspended accepting new pistol permit purchase applications until April 30. due to concerns about the long lines and the safety of staff and residents.

New concealed carry permit applications aren’t being processed, but renewal applications are still being accepted, Curry said.

Legislative critics called the sheriff’s action reckless and illegal.

Warren Daniel, a Burke County Republican, and Danny Britt, a Robeson County Republican, called on Baker to cancel “his illegal decision” and threatened to call on fellow lawmakers to force him to do so in a statement.

Durham and Orange county sheriffs’ offices said they are still accepting pistol purchase applications.

Birmingham area clinical psychologist Joshua Klapow told Alabama publication Al.com that people look for security during a crisis, and for some that means self-defense.

“It is protective, it is hard wired, and it is what allows us to survive.,” he told the publication. “We are living in uncertain times right now. We are certain that this virus will run its course and we are certain we will be OK at some point.’’

From March 12 to March 19, an average of 290 people per day sought a gun-related permit from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Curry said. The office issued 1,250 pistol purchase permits.

During that same time in 2018, there were about 93 people per day sough permits, and 213 total pistol purchase permits issued, Curry said.

Sheriff’s officials in Durham, Orange and Alamance counties also described pistol purchase permit applications doubling and tripling compared to previous weeks and months.

“It has been ridiculous,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood, who estimated his office has seen a 300% increase in pistol purchase permit applications.

Blackwood said people are buying up guns and ammunition for the same reason they are buying up toilet paper.

“They are scared and don’t know what is going on,” Blackwood said.

Record sales

While gun stores shelves across the nation are being depleted, people are also going online.

Internet seller ammo.com reported a 222% jump in transactions in February, ABC News reported.

Larry Hyatt, the owner of Hyatt Guns in Charlotte, estimated that sales have been ten times greater than what is typically expected in March, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Rifles, shotguns and handguns that are flying off the shelves., he said.

“It’s about self-protection,” Hyatt said. “What can I do to protect my family? What can I do if I”m in a fight at the grocery? A firearm makes the weak strong.”

Perry’s store is seeing record sales, Perry said, as his vendors allow him to keep up with the demand. Others stores haven’t been as successful as they are selling out some guns and ammunition, according to interviews.

Four stores

Brian Collins, a Burlington resident who owns guns, bought a shotgun and ammunition last week and then more ammunition this week, he said.

He had to go to four stores last week before he found what he needed.

Assault rifles, related ammunition and “defense” ammunition were items that were often sold out, he said.

“I just wanted to be more adequately prepared,” Collins said.

In the past, surges in gun and ammo demands have followed mass shootings as elected leaders discussed gun restrictions.

Collins linked this surge to some concern about future supply but also about protecting himself and his family as other supplies appear to be dwindling.

As grocery stores sell out of food and people lose their jobs, Collins said he and others are concerned that people will try to take their supplies when their families get hungry.

People loading up on guns and ammo “are just properly preparing themselves in case they do have looters and muggers coming for their food and supplies,” Collins said.

‘Get training’

Charlie Brown, a sales consultant at TAC Firearms in Clayton, said they are taking measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus such as providing hand sanitizer, cleaning surfaces and door handles repeatedly. Still, showing guns and checking people out doesn’t always allow him to stay six feet away from people.

Brown said people have told him at the counter that they are buying guns because they are scared that the fights over supplies in stores will escalate and threaten them at their home front in the future.

Brown, however, pointed out an important caveat for folks who are new to guns.

“I think the most important caveat that I’d offer is that folks that aren’t experienced with firearms should not consider this some magical talisman,” he said.

“Responsible use and care of firearms is something that requires training and experience and just going into a gun store and buying a gun doesn’t make you a competent gun owner. You’ve got to get training.”

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 3:06 PM.