Watch CBS News

Long lines at San Bernardino gun stores

Gun stores and shooting ranges in the San Bernardino area have seen an uptick in business after last week's shooting
San Bernardino gun stores see long lines after shooting 02:12

SAN BERNARDINO -- There was a custody hearing on Tuesday for the 6-month-old daughter of Tashfeen Malik -- a Pakistani in the U.S. on a Visa -- and her American husband, Syed Farook, who murdered 14 people at a holiday party in California.

Farook's sister wants to adopt the baby from state custody. CBS News learned on Tuesday that Farook took out a $28,000 loan before the massacre.

San Bernardino shooters practiced shooting before attack 01:24

CBS News has found that the shooting last Wednesday is sending many in San Bernardino to the gun store.

At a gun shop less than two miles from the scene of the massacre, more than two dozen people were lined up outside when it opened on Tuesday morning.

It's a similar story at the gun range where Farook did some target practice two days before he killed 14 coworkers.

Business at the range is up 60 percent since the attack.

Desiree Pagliuso is a single mother of three. She didn't have a gun in the house before, but after the shooting, she does.

"The reason it's changed now is because it's in our neighborhood," she said. "I've had you know multiple conversations with women that have never even shot guns that are looking into buying guns to be able to protect themselves."

Nerves are frayed throughout the community. On Sunday night, there was panic when reports of gunfire at a nearby shopping mall led to more than 300 law enforcement officers circling the property. It turned out to be a robbery where people mistook the sound of smashing glass for gunshots.

"People are on edge, and people are a little extra cautious," said San Bernardino Chief Jarrod Burguan. "That's good that's what we are asking people to do."

For Pagliuso, being extra cautious now means owning a gun.

"911 is not that quick a response and in 2.5 seconds they are not going to be there," said Pagliuso.

Gun and ammunition manufacturing is at $13.5 billion industry in the United States. According to FBI data, the number of requests for background checks to buy guns spikes after high profile mass shootings like San Bernardino.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.