Nervous Nevadans rush to buy guns after San Bernardino attack

Sharman Snodgrass, 65, owns her own business, nicknamed the "Grandparent Trap," selling novelty clothes and toys for children.

Last week, she decided to buy a gun.

Southern Nevadans — many first-timers like Snodgrass — are flocking to gun stores throughout the valley in the wake of last week's mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. She said she's been thinking of getting a gun for some time, but that tragedy and other recent events tipped the scales on that decision.

Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and Tashfeen Malik, 27, killed 14 people and wounded 21 others at the Inland Regional Center social services agency on Dec. 2. Both terrorists died later in a shootout with police.

Snodgrass spoke to the Review-Journal during the Cowboy Christmas gift show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition to Snodgrass' T-shirts and baby clothes, the expo features plenty of booths where firearms and accessories such as holsters and concealed carry vests can be purchased.

"I didn't used to be this outspoken, but I don't feel safe," said Snodgrass, who was eyeing a concealable semi-automatic pistol. "It's just getting scary."

Snodgrass isn't alone. In just the first week of December, Nevada gun dealers processed 3,067 background checks for firearm purchases, according to the Nevada Division of Public Safety. Over the past 15 years, background checks in December averaged 10,167. If the current pace of gun purchases continues, this December would top 13,580.

December is always a busy month for gun sellers, but there's something different this year, explained Mike Johnson, who manages Peacemakers Firearms, 5355 S Decatur Blvd.

"I think it's the traditional season of buying combined with what happened last week," he said. "We've seen a marked increase in the number of customers."

Johnson said there were a handful of people waiting for him to open the store Tuesday morning, and that's unusual. Since last week's attack, Johnson said he's seen more women and senior citizens coming in for guns and ammunition. He's not used to that either.

"The most important thing is they want to protect themselves and their family," he said.

Industry insiders say a crucial first step for first-time buyers is to know exactly what kind of gun they need. Like cars, firearms are purpose driven, and a gun for hunting is different from one for sport shooting or protection. The next step should be training.

Tactical West owner Kevin McNair said his phone has been ringing off the hook since the attack in San Bernardino. McNair is a nationally recognized firearms instructor, and he said his business has doubled.

People are telling him that they're feeling anxious about going out, about protecting themselves. He's been adding more and more lessons to his schedule to accommodate as many people as possible, he said.

"I can tell you they're afraid and don't want to feel defenseless," he said. "But you can't just go buy a firearm. You have to know how to use it properly."

McNair said he's used to seeing interest in firearms spike after high-profile events, but he hasn't seen this level of reaction before.

"When you attach the word terrorist to it, people get concerned. They're worried about going out and having an attack happen," he said.

Contact Wesley Juhl at wjuhl@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0391. Find him on Twitter: @WesJuhl