Pacific gun store owner asks for patience on inventory
Michael Callahan said people began rushing to his firearms store – AX2 Sporting Arms at 115 W. St. Louis St. in Pacific – in March, after precautionary measures were put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19.
“I did a year’s worth of business in eight weeks,” said Callahan, who opened his store in April 2018. “We did a record number of background checks in March, April, May and June.”
The increase in customers has led to some difficulty keeping up with the demand for some products, Callahan said.
“With those new people came all the stuff that came with owning a gun – holsters, ammunition and everything. Now, it is starting to become a problem,” he said.
Callahan said the main problem is getting ammunition to sell to the new gun owners.
Because ammunition manufacturing has stopped or slowed, it has become increasingly difficult to stock ammunition, he said.
“We are doing the best we can,” Callahan said. “The nice thing is the accessories are keeping me afloat right now.”
He said it is not known when ammunition will become more readily available.
“I hear there is no ammunition coming down the pike anytime soon, which is unfortunate. I have guns to sell, but I don’t have ammunition to sell for them.”
Callahan asks customers to bear with him during what should be a temporary situation.
“Hopefully, we will see some relief in the next couple of months,” he said. “Everyone just needs to be a little patient. It is not our fault. It is an unfortunate byproduct of a difficult situation, but we will make it through.”
In the meantime, Callahan said the upcoming deer season also will help sustain his business as he offers gun cleaning, scope mounting and other services to hunters.
