Police layoffs drive gun sale surge

Before 75 Toledo police officers were cut May 1, Joe Conley, the co-owner of JJ's Guns and Things in Walbridge, said many Toledoans were already concerned about their safety.

Conley doesn't blame them, but he wants his customers to be properly educated before they walk out of his store with a new gun permit.

"What are you going to do with your firearm? Why are you buying it?" Conley asks most of his customers.

The Walbridge businessman is surprised to see an increase of people rushing to buy a firearm after the presidential election, and followed by Toledo releasing a portion of its police officers from duty due to an ever-growing budget deficit.

"They warned the guys I work with that this is probably going to happen," Conley said.

Some Americans fear President Barack Obama might enact stricter gun laws. Since the November general election, Conley has seen his customer base quadruple. Many are driving to Walbridge from Toledo, with usually one thing on their mind.

"With all these police not being there, I'm going to protect me."

It's not that easy, though. Conley wants to make sure his customers know how to operate the firearm they consider investing. Each firearm is different, from Smith & Wesson, Glocks, and Berettas.

"I think it would be immoral and not responsible of me to just hand a person a gun who knows nothing about it. We go through and take time and make sure the gun is proper for their application."

Conley recommends prospective gun owners to take a class to prevent a tragic accident from happening. Most area gun shops offer basic firearms training, including JJ's Guns and Things.

Toledo Police Chief Michael Navarre believes owning a gun is a personal choice. He said firearms are more likely to kill loved ones, especially children, than intruders.

As for the Glass City being concerned for their safety, Chief Navarre said Toledo is well under control and he hopes to re-hire recently sacked officers very soon.