Part 2/15:
The episode begins with an observation on how the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased firearm purchases in the United States, especially in California. The gunsmith recounts how March 2020 set records for background checks, with nearly 200 people waiting outside the store just to get in—an unprecedented event. This surge was driven largely by first-time buyers, many of whom had never owned a firearm before but felt compelled to acquire one for self-defense amid fears of societal unrest and civil chaos.