Local firearm store owners predict gun, ammunition and magazine sales likely won’t spike in Central Ohio following this weekend's mass shooting in Dayton.
WOSU called 15 gun stores in Central Ohio and spoke with three owners.
L.E.P.D. Firearms, Range and Training Facility owner Eric Delbert says people aren’t buying more firearms or accessories, because they don’t believe gun restrictions will tighten. He says that could change, however, if politicians move to restrict gun purchases.
“If people perceive that part of that plan either nationwide or here in Ohio means taking away something, then you will start to see an increase in the sale of some of these items," Delbert said.
But Delbert does say that people who sell firearms should be included in conversations about preventing future shootings.
"We're very well versed in firearms, in the process of purchasing them, in training, in law enforcement, and we need to have people such as ourselves brought into the mix to help solve the problem of gun violence," he says.
Two other local gun shop owners, Claire Marvin at AimHi and Mat Johnson at Powder Room Firearms, agree that sales will likely remain flat. Marvin said the pro-gun climate has actually caused AimHi’s worst year for business in two decades.
Other sellers say it’s too early to tell how this weekend’s event will impact business.
Nine people were killed at 26 people injured early Sunday when a gunman opened fire outside a store in Dayton's Oregon District. He was killed by police within a minute of beginning to shoot.
The man, identified as 24-year-old Connor Betts, wore a mask, a bulletproof vest and hearing protection. He used a .223-caliber high capacity rifle with 100-round drum magazines, which law enforcement say he purchased legally online. He also had a shotgun that was purchased in Ohio.
