By:Jacky Gerzema
Guns and gas masks are hot commodities these days as people as people scramble to make sense of terrorist attacks at home.
About 500 gas masks have already been sold since the World Trade Center attack, said Andrew, a manager of Jay's Military store in Hempstead, who asked that his last name not be used.
"There has absolutely been an increase in sales of gas masks," Andrew said. "People have also been buying basic items such as flashlights, knives and other survival gear." He added that most customers have been civilians, not military personnel.
Ron Riederich, owner of American Liberty Arms on Grand
Avenue in Baldwin, has seen an increased interest in gun ownership since the Sept. 11. Riederich sells handguns, pistols, shotguns and other types of arms to licensed and eligible individuals.
"Guns are not the solution to problems," Riederich said. "Guns should only be used in self defense. Or in recreational activities such as target shooting."
Riederich does not have an open door business. His number is listed in the yellow pages, but he doesn't advertise. Riederich said the majority of his customers are law enforcement personnel, firefighters, jewelers and people in the military. He does provide licensing assistance and handgun instruction civilians.
"I try to limit my customers," Riederich said. "Weapons are serious. I don't want a walk-in business. Business has increased significantly in the past two months though, with these events."
Riederich served in the Navy Submarine Service for four years and the Coast Guard Reserve, working in search and rescue and weapon instruction in the intelligence division. He has given firearm training to many firefighters and policemen, he said.
While many people are opposed to gun ownership, Riederich believes attitudes will change if terrorism threats increase.
"I saw ground zero, and let me tell you, anyone who sees that up close will have their lives changed forever," Riederich said. "I think the situation will progressively get worse. I think people realize the reality of guns. People need to be prepared to defend their family in case of a catastrophe."
Riederich offered a hypothetical example of when a gun might be needed.
"For example, we depend on a lot of systems," Riederich said. "If a system such as food distribution was upset and food was not available, people might come into your house looking for food and then you have to be prepared."
Riederich said shotgun sales will probably increase the most as people purchase weapons for self-defense. "When people hear that loud 'click-click' sound of the shotgun, they freeze," he said. "You can hear a pin drop after that sound. Who's going to move after hearing that? Then in a self-defense situation, you can tell your assailant to leave."
Not everyone should own a gun, cautioned Riederich. He usually imposes a waiting period for first-time clients.
"I sometimes don't call them [people who want guns/licensing] back," Riederich said. "I give them a few days to really think about why they want a gun and why they need it. If they're really serious about it, they'll call me back. You have to be serious in instruction. My own instruction was precise, very well-rounded. And it took time."
People should forget what they see on television about guns, Riederich said. The first thing one should do is try to escape or
avoid the situation before ever picking up a weapon.
"Many guys watch cowboys and Indians and get the wrong ideas about guns," Riederich said. "The best student I had in gun instruction was a woman. She didn't have any preconceived notions about guns. Someone who doesn't fill their head with the wrong ideas will have a better experience with learning to fire a gun. A lot of times I have to detrain these cowboys for instruction."
