LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Ammunition sales at one Las Vegas business continue to boom amid the pandemic and an uncertain election outcome.
Extreme Reloading owner Jerry Threet says sales for ammunition is up anywhere between 300% to 500%, driven largely by the pandemic and civil unrest.
"Riots were breaking out and they were talking about going into neighborhoods and stuff like that and it comes down to personal protection, you have a lot of people that were anti-gun, they are literally going out and buying guns because they're fearing for their lives," said Threet.
In a typical election year, ammunition sales spike, especially if there are concerns about tighter gun restrictions.
"Prior to the election, you are going to have that spike, because there is uncertainty not knowing which direction it's going to go, what regulations may start coming down after the election," explained Threet.
2020 has been unlike any normal year, driving demand to levels not seen before and Threet remains back-ordered.
The pandemic, civil unrest, and the election have one Las Vegas business boarding up their windows.
RELATED: Business boards up; LVMPD steps up patrol ahead of Election Day
GRRRL, a clothing apparel shop on Main Street in Las Vegas is preparing for riots, looting, or vandalism after the election.
"I have a sneaking suspicion, regardless of which way the election goes, we are going to see some definite backlash," said business owner Kortney Olson.
Other people are back to panic buying.
Photos from Costco taken over the weekend show items such as paper towels, toilet paper, and other household staples are out of stock.
Inmar Intelligence, a data research company, said a recent survey showed 57% of shoppers are considering replenishing their stockpiles.
Panic buying leads to widespread shortages of household items, namely toilet paper, in the first half of 2020.
"It's been quite chaotic," said Threet.
Back at Extreme Reloading, Threet is filling orders as fast as he can but he predicts the ammunition buying frenzy will not slow down until the first quarter of 2021 at the earliest.
13 Investigates visited the North and South Premium Outlet Malls in Las Vegas, Town Square and Downtown Summerlin and there were no businesses visibly boarded up.
