More Asian-Americans Are Buying Guns For Protection From Hate Crimes

Asian-Americans are buying guns to protect themselves amid a spike in anti-Asian hate crimes fueled by the coronavirus pandemic, firearms merchants say.

“There are more Asians being introduced to firearms,” said Jimmy Gong, the owner of Jimmy’s Sport Shop in Mineola, New York. “Before, there was never gun culture in the Asian community. But after the pandemic and all the hate crime going on, there are more Asians buying guns to defend themselves.”

Gong said that his gun sales have doubled during the pandemic, and about half of his business comes from Asian-Americans, who also buy lots of pepper spray.

Other gun stores around the country are seeing more Asian-American buyers. Danielle Jaymes, general manager of Poway Weapons & Gear in Poway, California, said there’s been a 20% increase in Asian-American first-time customers to her store over the last year, compared to the year before. She said they’re buying guns for self-protection.