The incident has left some women picking up a pistol for the very first time. (Photo: KMBC)
Following an armed robbery last week at a gun store in Shawnee, Kansas, which left one man dead and his wife injured, some area gun shops have seen a spike in gun sales and enrollment in self-defense classes.
Four men attempted to rob the Sheâs a Pistol gun shop Friday, which led to a shootout between the store owner and the suspects. The owner, Jon Beiker, died from his injuries, but not before he returned fire and shot three of the four suspects, all of who are now in custody and charged with Beikerâs death, in addition to attempted robbery.
Beikerâs wife, Becky, who was also assaulted during the robbery, said in a statement that her husband âsaved her life because he had a firearm,â and now the incident has others, especially women, rethinking their own safety.
âThey know itâs there,â Jean Basore, co-owner of Centerfire Shooting Sports in nearby Olathe, told KMBC. âThey know the crime and the violence exists, but when it hits in your back yard, itâs a little bit of a wake-up call.â
Basore said late into the week the shop posted an advertisement for an upcoming womenâs gun training class, and within just a couple of days, the class was completely filled. Likewise, the shopâs concealed carry classes are already booked up through February.
Basore added, âAll thatâs going on, not only in Kansas City, but globally, has really made people think about their personal safety and so I think that theyâre concerned.â
And Blasore also pointed out that while people used to be worried about crime primarily around big cities or at night, thatâs not so much the case anymore.
âThis was in the middle of Shawnee, in the middle of the day, next to City Hall,â Basore said. âWho would think?â
Furthermore, others question the reasoning behind robbing a gun store.
âI just donât think they knew what they were doing,â Fred Maness said. âHow do you think you are going to go in there and rob a gun store when you know everyone is packing in there? Theyâve all got a license, you know?â
Basmore agreed.
âIt probably wouldnât be a very bright idea to come in and think you can overpower someone with a gun when thereâs a lot of people around them with guns as well,â she said.
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