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In times of disaster, looting, and anarchy society falls back on firearms PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jeff Garvas   
Thursday, 08 September 2005

We've seen it before when there were riots and looting in LA. Store keepers would take up arms and defend their property against looters.

How? By buying, trading, or taking any firearms they can get their hands on.

The E-Z Pawn store on Airline Drive in northern Baton Rouge is doing a brisk trade in guns post-Hurricane Katrina.

A story in The Financial Times reveals just how desperate citizens are becoming in response to Hurricane Katrina.

From the story:
    “I’ve got people like you wouldn’t believe, lots of people, coming in and buying handguns,” said Briley Reed, 34, assistant manager. “I’ve even had soldiers coming in here buying guns.”

    Before the hurricane, the store sold one or two guns on a typical day, according to Mr Reed. During the last week, they have sold 10 to 15 a day. The model of choice is a 9mm Highpoint that sells for $200 (£108.50).

    The activity at E-Z Pawn is a testament to Louisiana’s liberal gun laws. More than that, it is a barometer of the anxiety coursing through Baton Rouge as the city copes with thousands of refugees – the vast majority poor and black – streaming in from New Orleans.

    Many of the customers are local residents, including at least one doctor, concerned about the influx of desperate strangers who have become synonymous with looting, rape and the lawlessness that overwhelmed New Orleans last week.
Even people who don't own firearms quickly learn in a disaster they want -- and quite frankly may need -- to have a firearm for personal self-defense.

Sadly, in times of peace and calm, residents are mislead to believe that the police will be there to protect them and personal safety is not their individual obligation and responsibility.