Senior Citizens are taking control of their own personal safety with demand for gun sales and firearm training increasing in record numbers. It is apparent that seniors are concerned about their safety and are looking to protect themselves after seeing home invasions and robberies targeting the elderly on the rise.
According to a recent article on Breitbart.com, the National Rifle Association (NRA) indicates the demand for firearm training is up a staggering 400 percent since 2010 and that senior citizens have emerged as the driving force behind the statistics.
Even though these numbers are national, one local company, Sensably Armed in Saint Lawrence, PA, witnessed the surge in gun sales to senior citizens first hand over the last 3 years. Store manager, Ryan Perry said, “A firearm is the only thing that can put a 95-year-old widow, that hasn't left the house in 20 years on the exact same playing field as a 22- year-old boxing heavyweight world champion.”
In an article published in townhall, Matt Vespa pointed out the industry is having to hustle to keep up with the demand, and the Gun industry created over 20,000 jobs just last year. Bren Brown, President of Frontier Gun Sales said, “We try and get people comfortable using a gun in their home, so they can easily operate it in an emergency situation.” According to Vespa, experts say more senior citizens are likely buying guns as a result of crimes targeting them.
In a report on the Tampa Bay ABC Action News, Nicole Grigg shows the NRA registered 22,739 people over 65 who took basic courses from certified instructors in 2015, four times the number five years ago. Bruce Kitzis, general manager at Shooters World in the Tampa Bay area said they even offer courses for senior citizens past retirement age. It appears that the elderly is getting very serious about their safety and are taking important steps to calm their heightened fears. Kitziz said, “ It gives them a sense of safety and independence.”
Seventy-nine-year-old Jack Kirse told Fox 32 in Chicago, “I’ve seen it on television, I’ve seen it in magazines, and you know, if it should happen, I just want to be ready.”
If you are thinking about learning to shoot a gun, it is always important to practice prudent safety measures. has 10 excellent tips for safe gun handling:
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
- Firearms should be unloaded when not in use
- Don't rely on your guns safety
- Be sure of your target and what's beyond it
- Use correct ammunition
- When gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle it with care
- Always wear eye protection
- Be sure the barrel is free from obstruction before shooting
- Service gun regularly
- Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the gun you are using