Getty ImagesTopline: Gun shops nationwide are reporting an increase of sales —particularly from first-time gun buyers— as Americans brace for the worst amid the coronavirus pandemic. Key background: Economic and political instability tends to kick off periods of increased gun sales, Alex Horsman, Ammo.com marketing manager told USA Today. Gun sales tend to see surges in presidential election years, as buyers watch the inevitable debate of Second Amendment rights. Tangent: As U.S. schools close down and firearm sales increase, gun control advocates warn against leaving children unsupervised in homes with unsecured guns. “A lot of body armor and body armor materials are manufactured in China, and we are already seeing shortages [and] extended lead times for many of the products we sell,” Lim told Buzzfeed News.

Source: Forbes March 16, 2020 20:32 UTC