Local gun vendors are seeing a trend in handgun sales: seniors slinging pistols.
Assistant manager of Second Amendment Sports, Justyn Vest, says he's seen an increase in sales to older clients for personal safety. Often, gun ownership and shooting is a hobby popular in the retirement community. Vest says it's because it can be a time consuming hobby, which retirees often enjoy.
The NRA has seen a 400% increase in those 60 years of age or older training with firearms.
Local gun owner Steve, who didn't want to provide his last name, is nearing 70 years old and says the increase in interest doesn't surprise him. "We don not have the same vigor and strength that we once had so we feel maybe a little bit more vulnerable," said Steve.
He owns guns for personal safety and as a hobby.
He visits the range about once a month to polish his skills, stressing that practice and gun safety awareness is the most important factor in responsible ownership.
As for critics of older citizens owning guns, Vest say's that's quite the contrary. "In my experience, they train the most. They have the most time," said Vest.
