Texas Gun Store Owner Reports Surge in Firearm Sales by Women Amid Border Crisis
A Texas gun store owner has reported a significant rise in gun purchases in Del Rio, Texas, due to the ongoing border crisis, particularly among women seeking firearms for self-defense.
Gary Humphreys, owner of Humphreys’ Gun Shop in Del Rio for over 50 years, spoke to Fox News about how the surge of migrants crossing the southern border has affected his store’s sales.
“Since this border opened up, we’re getting new people that never owned guns coming in and buying them,” Humphreys said.
“Getting a lot of women that never owned a gun before coming in and buying them,” he added, noting that many of these female customers are purchasing firearms for personal safety and self-defense purposes.
Humphreys emphasized that those not living on the border might not fully grasp the severity of the ongoing crisis. He also criticized the current administration, stating that the situation has worsened under its policies.
Gun ownership in the US has been on the rise in recent years, coinciding with a decrease in crime rates. According to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), June 2023 marked a record-breaking 47 consecutive months of over 1 million gun purchases. During this period, FBI data indicated a 6 percent decline in violent crime and a 14 percent drop in murder rates from 2022 to 2023.
The spike in gun sales amid the migrant crisis also reflects broader public sentiment. A recent TPUSA poll revealed that a significant majority of Americans are concerned about border security. When asked, “Do you think the border is secure enough?” an overwhelming 98 percent of respondents said no. Additionally, 87 percent of respondents answered yes to the question, “Should the US deport all illegal immigrants?” Of those who supported deportation, 29 percent reside in a border state with Mexico.
