Gun sales in Middle Georgia on the rise

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Gun sales have seen an uptick across the nation. According to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, over 31,000 Georgians received a license to carry permit last month alone. Stores in Middle Georgia have seen the trend grow firsthand.

Owner of Eagle Gun Range in Macon, Hamp Dowling, says his store started to see a rise in gun sales before November.

“We’re selling more guns than we’ve ever sold before,” Dowling said.

The staff at Eagle Gun attributes the boost in sales to the election.

“I think it’s just people in a panic,” Dowling explained. “They’re hearing this may happen soon or that might happen… People seem kind of afraid of what might go on.”

Eagle Gun has recently seen a lot of new customers and first-time gun owners. Safety instructor, Mike Cahill, says a lack of training or knowledge can create serious trouble.

“We have people carrying guns around that don’t know how to load them or unload them, and it’s scary,” Cahill stated.

The gun range offers training and safety courses to anyone wanting to understand safe use. Cahill says new user sessions can last from an hour to a few weeks.

“It’s not something you can just have somebody show you in a couple of minutes,” Cahill explained. “We have different types of training. We have one-on-one training that’s about an hour-long, and that’s usually enough time to get somebody safely firing a handgun.”

The staff at Eagle Gun Range stressed safety as the most important part of owning a gun.

“If you plan on purchasing a firearm make sure you get some training first, and that you get proper training from someone that knows how to teach. Not just Bubba who’s going to take you out back and let you shoot.”

Dowling says new gun owners in Georgia must get a license to carry before they purchase a gun.

Eagle Gun Range has no more room in their training classes until February. If you’re interested in taking a class right now, call ahead and ask about any possible availability.