Across every major news channel, COVID-19 headlines have occupied a majority of the reporting cycle. Of all of the varying head lines I have seen, one in particular really stood out to me was “As the coronavirus pandemic grows, gun sales are surging in many states.”
Consider for a moment the motivations underlying these actions. Starting first with the typical gun control debate. The argument “against”, for lack of a better term, the second amendment is an appeal to safety. Owning a firearm is a right traditionally interpreted as a way for the people to protect themselves against a potentially tyrannical government. The argument against this is an appeal to safety, making the claim that the availability of lethal weapons to most people puts other citizens at risk. This has spurred the freedom vs safety debate which has raged on since the constitution was written.
This current head line indicates that the purchase of firearms has increased because of COVID-19, a situation which is not increasing the presence or the possibility of a tyrannical government. The logic would follow that people are actually buying guns in an attempt to increase their perception of personal safety, a unique inversion from the typical train of thought.
Consider for a moment what they are trying to feel safe from. It is reasonable to consider that some people fear the outbreak will lead to a societal collapse, a very drastic viewpoint but non the less conceivable. In this situation practicing one’s right to purchase a firearm would be a reaction to the fear of other people rioting and pillaging. A seemingly ridiculous outcome to the situation but a possibility. A similar stream of logic could lead an individual to fear a mass food shortage where they would need a firearm to hunt in the case that the nation’s consumer infrastructure breaks down. Although these seem very improbable they provide the same tangible need for a firearm that is suggested in most scholarly arguments for the second amendment. The idea that accessibility to firearms in the face of a physical threat or necessity validates the amendment.
What if the recent increase in gun sales is not actually driven by one of the motivations that political philosophers and constitution scholars would loftily argue exist for the second amendment. What if, despite lacking a practical application for a firearm, purchasing one just to put it in their closet simply makes people feel safer. This would imply that in a time of such uncertainty and social disruption people are willing to open themselves up to impractical motivations for the allusion of security leading them to buy a gun ~ interestingly enough the same core motivation against the second amendment.
Hmmm I never thought the amount of firearms being bought would increase because of this pandemic –it makes sense? But it was interesting to hear your thoughts on it!
I think the irony you point out is interesting- that safety motivates both sides of the argument. I also didn’t know that people were buying more guns due to coronavirus. However, I agree that- though we don’t want to think about it- there is the possibility that we are headed toward dystopia and people are actually going to need weapons for defending their house. Hopefully, COVID-19 doesn’t lead us that way.
Out of curiosity, what if the ‘armed militia’ could refer to any group that needed to defend themselves from an external threat–including the government. For instance, if society did collapse, the government would have no power, however their could be rogue agents that manipulate the remaining military forces. Would these guns fall under the second amendment then?
Its interesting to read the psychology that you presented in the last paragraph about how simply owning a gun makes some people feel safer even in a pandemic outbreak. This gets into interesting territory seeing how some people’s rationality will go out the window even at the slightest sign of trouble.
COVID-19 has led people to panic buying of all sorts! When I saw how people were even panic buying ammunition, I was honestly confused. Though, this take on why people may be buying guns and ammunition seems very logical. Especially due to recent rumors of the National Guard visiting
I think a lot of people do buy guns for personal safety that is why conceal carry exists. A gun is a pretty good way to defend yourself and your home. I think a lot of people are worried that the crime rate will skyrocket if the unemployment rate spikes.
This is such an interesting and thought-provoking post. I think that many people don’t realize that this pandemic has in fact, caused for some usual patterns such as this. I wonder if as the pandemic settles down, if gun-purchasing rates will diminish as well. It is interesting to analyze the motivations underneath why people are doing this. Is it simply that they “feel” more safe?