The_Shootist
Member
Evidence is sort of anecdotal but I was at the range today, doing my best to put a dent in this 9x18 case of ammo for my Bulgy Mak. Rangemaster mentions casually that Tom (one of the local CHL instructors) is running class later with about 6 students this week.
I noted that it sounded like business is good and the rangemaster agreed. That had been the trend since after Christmas - more people in the local CHL classes, more guys coming out to the range.
He basically (and I agreed with him) that the recent crime wave in the Houston-Galveston area has people spooked (courtesy of the Katrina evacuees). He even mentioned that the odd Galveston cop who comes to the range has seen an uptick in gun related stuff and some local Houston cops that practice there have said the same thing - more local gun violence in the area since Sept.
Basically people are spooked about the crime wave and are scurrying to defend themselves. Either they are practicing more (and today WAS kinda crowded in both rifle and pistol sections on an otherwise miserable day).
I know myself I no longer carry my SP 101 on even short hops - its always at least my Mak with 3 mags and I'm thinking pretty soon I'll start carrying my G19 with 3 standard caps. Just seems like locally, the probability of facing 2-3 or more opponents has gone up.
I noted that it sounded like business is good and the rangemaster agreed. That had been the trend since after Christmas - more people in the local CHL classes, more guys coming out to the range.
He basically (and I agreed with him) that the recent crime wave in the Houston-Galveston area has people spooked (courtesy of the Katrina evacuees). He even mentioned that the odd Galveston cop who comes to the range has seen an uptick in gun related stuff and some local Houston cops that practice there have said the same thing - more local gun violence in the area since Sept.
Basically people are spooked about the crime wave and are scurrying to defend themselves. Either they are practicing more (and today WAS kinda crowded in both rifle and pistol sections on an otherwise miserable day).
I know myself I no longer carry my SP 101 on even short hops - its always at least my Mak with 3 mags and I'm thinking pretty soon I'll start carrying my G19 with 3 standard caps. Just seems like locally, the probability of facing 2-3 or more opponents has gone up.