China News Service, June 7th. According to the US "World Journal" report, since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, discrimination against Asians has continued to occur in the United States. After the epidemic lasted for a year, although the number of new confirmed cases has been decreasing, Asians The damage and attacks received have increased unabated, and even escalated.
Some Chinese have begun to buy guns or consider buying guns to protect themselves, and actively learn gun knowledge and skills.
Pepper spray and sirens have become necessary for women to go out for self-defense. Under the shadow of hate crime, everyone is "armed" for peace.
A gun shop in Long Island, New York noticed that there are more and more Asian buyers recently.
Li Jie, one of the principals, said that not only Asians, but customers of all ethnicities have expressed their concerns about the current situation.
In particular, there have been frequent violent attacks, discrimination and harassment against Asian Americans recently. Li Jie said that several of the Chinese customers and acquaintances she personally received were victims.
"A boy came to the store for the first time and said that he wanted to buy pepper spray because his girlfriend was in Manhattan and was attacked twice in just one week. He wanted to buy more pepper spray for his girlfriend to defend himself."
It's too late to call the police
Li Jie also has two friends. Their husbands were both attacked when they were taking the subway in Manhattan. "They are only in their 40s. In broad daylight, a few men and women grab their mobile phones and then hit people. They don’t need wallets, they don’t want to steal money, they are just looking for trouble. There is no way to call the police if you fight for the sake of fighting. After all, the attacker ran away early, so you can only buy some tools for self-defense."
According to statistics from the "National Shooting Sports Foundation", a gun industry organization, more than 8.4 million people have bought guns for the first time since the outbreak, and gun sales have soared.
According to data from the FBI, in 2020, there were approximately 39.69 million background checks on gun buyers, a record high for the year.
In less than six months into 2021, the speed of background checks on gun buyers has surpassed that of last year. Many people choose to spend money on guns and ammunition after receiving bailout money, especially ammunition, which is in short supply and is in short supply across the country. There has been a shortage.
Li Jie said that families or people with certain gun knowledge and experience tend to choose home defense guns. Among the long guns, shotguns are the best-selling. On the one hand, they have relatively high lethality and are easy to operate. On the other hand, the shotgun is one of the long guns that is short, small and portable. In case of danger, you can hide with the gun and will not get stuck. It belongs to the most traditional and common home defense at the entry level. firearms.
In addition, many Asians also like to buy the AR-15 rifle (rifle), which has a hand rest, which can hold the shoulder and distribute some of the weight of the gun body.
The best-selling pistol is the Glock 19, which is compact and flexible and easy to carry. However, Li Jie explained that the application for a pistol is more difficult. Each state has different requirements. In particular, New York State has strict laws and regulations. New York City is more cautious and must report to the police. Applying for a gun license, after review and approval, "the whole process takes a long time, and it takes even longer since the epidemic."
Long Island is relatively more relaxed. Take the long gun as an example. As long as you live there, you are a citizen or have a green card status, "the gun shop will do a background check, and you can buy the gun if you pass it."
Asian gun purchases increase in epidemic year
Tim Hensley, manager of gun shops in Ohio and Oregon, said that before the epidemic, the average number of Asian customers who went to buy guns was only two to three people per month. Now there are five to six people every day. The environment is getting more and more unsafe", especially after the Atlanta shootings against Asians, "the sense of insecurity has become stronger." These new customers mostly bought Glock pistols and AR-15 rifles, and they would spend a lot of money. Time to practice hard at the shooting range and get familiar with guns.
In the past year, a gun shop in California, the number of Asian customers who came to the store to buy a gun for self-defense for the first time increased by 20% compared to the previous year.
A gun shop in Washington State also welcomed many Asian customers who bought guns, mostly semi-automatic pistols and rifles.
Sales clerk Huang Jerry said that these new customers saw many stores and properties destroyed due to the epidemic and riots in the past year, so they wanted to buy guns to defend themselves.
David Liu, the owner of another gun shop in California, said that hate crimes against Asians are frequent, and many Asians choose to buy guns as a way of self-protection.
Guns ≠ lethal weapons, learn to use guns correctly
"The Chinese have a blind spot in the knowledge of guns, and even think that guns are murder weapons. This concept needs to be changed. A gun is a piece of iron when it is not loaded with bullets. If the hand does not touch the trigger, it will never sound. The crime is not the gun itself. , But the people who use it." Li Jie said that there were several female friends around her who had never touched a gun. They followed her to shoot a gun. They didn’t know how to use it, but the sound of the gun was particularly noisy. “But I’ve been there a few times. After that, I fell in love with it. It is actually a very good sport."
Li Jie also does not shy away from bringing children into contact with guns. "The fear is because of lack of basic knowledge. If you understand it, you will no longer be afraid."
In many films and TV dramas or news reports, children have shot themselves to death with guns. "If adults know how to store guns correctly, this kind of thing is impossible. Guns have magazines, and magazines need to be combined with guns. If there are no bullets in the gun, the child doesn’t know how to load the bullet.” Everyone felt that the gun was too dangerous when they heard similar news. Some family husbands wanted to buy a gun, but the wife would not let it. I don't know how to use it.
This is like putting a child in the driving position of a moving car. “The crash is never the child’s fault, but because the car is moving.” Parents must not let the child touch the loaded gun, but if the gun is empty Yes, the child doesn't know how to fill in the bullets. Besides, many guns need to be pulled to fire one shot. No matter how empty guns are touched, they will not be dangerous.
In addition, the most natural reaction of ordinary people after they get a gun is to touch the trigger, "Actually, the finger should be straight. Put it outside the trigger to see if a person can use the gun. It is enough to see if the finger is straight." , Don’t touch the trigger until you want to shoot, and as long as you don’t touch the trigger, you won’t get out of the fire.
In addition, the muzzle must be kept facing the ground and never pointed at people. "These are actually basic knowledge, but unless the family has the conditions or understanding of the environment, few people know this knowledge."
"Although it may be difficult to encounter a danger that requires a real shot to be resolved in a lifetime, having a gun will indeed enhance the psychological security. And the greatest significance of a gun is not shooting, but deterring. In the face of danger, the gun is usually used. The moment you take it out and lift it up, you have realized the value of the gun.” Gun enthusiast Chen Lei started to get in touch with guns four or five years ago. Through friends who joined the army and later opened gun shops, he gradually learned about guns. In addition, boys are generally interested in guns, and a U.S. citizen or green card is entitled to legally buy guns and guns, so he applied for a gun license. Not only did he purchase long guns and pistols, he was also more rarely approved by the New York City Police Department recently. Hidden and carried the pistol to the limit.
Self-preservation tools are more important than shooting
Chen Lei said, “Many Chinese feel that guns are dangerous, mainly because they don’t understand guns. Guns are actually a very good tool for self-protection. As long as they are operated reasonably, they are safer than knives.” Most of the shootings in the market. They all happen because of illegal holding of a gun. In fact, the relevant laws and regulations for applying for holding a gun are very strict. There are more requirements for applying to carry a pistol, and it takes longer.
Long before the outbreak of the epidemic, incidents of Chinese being bullied often occurred. After the epidemic, violent attacks, discrimination and harassment against Chinese people have continued unabated.
Chen Lei said that after experiencing the epidemic, in the past year, many friends around him asked him how to buy a gun and hold a gun. "The world is chaotic, and having a gun can better protect life and property."
For example, because he is in the catering industry, he especially applied for a certificate that can carry a pistol with him. "The industry in this industry is eligible to apply for this type of gun certificate, but many colleagues do not pay attention or know it."
Chen Lei believes that the vast majority of Chinese do not understand guns. Since the United States allows guns to be owned and used, the Chinese should try more, "Don’t give up the right to protect yourself, and after you understand guns, you will know that they are just tools. There is no need to avoid taboos, let alone fear."
As long as they are properly stored, the guns are separated, and the principles and proper use of guns are learned through professional training, there will be no accidents.
"The significance of gun deterrence is also far greater than the meaning of shooting. If there is a real danger, even if the gun is not loaded, it may have resolved half of the danger when it is taken out and raised, and the gun has realized its value."
Overcoming fear, women also learn to use guns
Lin Larry, president of the Long Island Shooting Association, said that in the United States, each state has its own laws and regulations on how to own and use guns, which need to be carefully understood and strictly followed.
In the past year, various factors such as the epidemic, "the life of blacks are also fate", and the change of political parties have affected all ethnic groups, including the Chinese, and the number of people buying guns has increased significantly.
He is very happy to see that more and more Chinese, especially women, have a significant increase in their interest in understanding and practicing gun use. “Among them, there are many mothers and mothers with children. Everyone supports each other and overcomes the fear of guns. Increase confidence in self-protection and become more fulfilled.” The Long Island Shooting Association is currently vigorously helping the two groups of women and youth to strengthen the learning and understanding of guns.
Some people have a lot of misunderstandings about guns, "For example, they think that the bigger the gun, the better, and the more expensive the better. In fact, it’s not necessarily true. It mainly depends on the function, like home defense guns. The best is the small and medium caliber, suitable for self-protection "Some people also like to use guns as a tool to show off. "The result of showing off is to attract attention and be targeted by others." Guns are not for showing off. "True mature and intelligent users will not use guns to attract attention from others." , As long as it can be used for oneself correctly and effectively".
Lin Larry also reminded, “In some cases, guns are better than anything else, but in some cases, they may not be the best choice or the only way to solve problems.” Chinese, especially new immigrants, enjoy the right to own guns while at the same time. , And also actively learn English, interact with friends, colleagues and neighbors around him, "Good interpersonal relationships and installing alarms at home can also help protect the lives and property of oneself and their loved ones."
Pepper spray is a good choice for self-defense
In view of the fact that most people may not encounter conflicts that need to be resolved with guns in their lives, some are indeed difficult to overcome the fear of guns, worry about safety hazards caused by incorrect operation, and will not cause life or death. Other self-defense tools have also become popular recently. Product.
Li Jie introduced that the most common protective equipment that is easy to carry around includes pepper spray, which can spray mist, water column, gel, foam and other forms. Each has its own advantages, such as mist and good diffusion. , The colloidal shooting range is longer, and it is less likely to hurt itself due to changes in wind direction.
These self-defense tools are becoming more and more diverse in appearance and design. Some are like lipsticks, some can be clipped to a belt or wristband, and some can be tied to a key chain. They are all compact and portable.
But no matter what it looks like, what kind of form it is sprayed out, you should focus on spraying it on the opponent's eyes when using it, and then take the opportunity to quickly escape and ask for help.
In addition to pepper spray, the stun gun is also a self-defense tool, usually with the function of a flashlight, "it looks like a flashlight, but it is a powerful self-defense tool, suitable for ultra-close range use", which can make people a short time Incapacitated.
Furthermore, there is a siren that can emit a high-decibel noise and will not emit anything, but the siren is loud enough to scare away the opponent, attract attention, and increase the chance of being rescued and escaped.
Chen Ying, who lives in Queens and works in Manhattan, has always carried a sirens to commute since she resumed work. She said that after the outbreak, she had heard too many incidents of Chinese and Asian harassment and attacks on the subway and on the streets. It didn't come to her, but she was still very worried and scared." Relatives and friends in Taiwan are also worried about her personal safety in New York.
Chen Ying said that because she has to take the subway to and from get off work, she now keeps a considerable distance from the platform when she waits for the subway to prevent someone from pushing her from behind.
"Leaving the office, before entering the subway station, the alarm will be transferred from the bag to the pocket of the jacket, and put your hand in the pocket, holding the alarm." Before, I would wear headphones to listen to music on the way to and from get off work, "I still do. I was wearing headphones, but I didn’t actually play any music. I tried to create a calm and calm surface, but I was so nervous that I was always observing and paying attention to the surrounding environment."
Not only Chen Ying herself, but many of her female colleagues and female friends are equipped with alarms or pepper sprays. Everyone often communicates with each other and recommends useful self-defense tools. The Internet and social media on how to buy and use such equipment There are more and more discussions.
"I often see people want to buy, but I heard that pepper spray can't be mailed." Fortunately, gun shops also sell such supplies, and you can buy them directly in the store.
Avoid breaking the law, pay attention to state regulations
Li Jie reminded that, as to how to buy self-defense tools and when to use them, each state's regulations are indeed different. It is recommended that you check relevant information before buying, or consult merchants and professionals, so as not to protect yourself, but But inadvertently violated the law.
After you buy it, you should also read the instructions carefully. If you can only buy it and will not use it, no matter how good the performance is, it will be futile, and the wrong use will not only fail to work, but it may also harm yourself or the people around you, but give it to the other party. Opportunity.
Self-defense safety expert Zhang Yong said that protective equipment such as pepper spray is best placed in a place that is convenient for use, rather than stuffed into a corner of the bag or buried under debris. "If you leave it randomly, you will encounter an emergency. Time is wasted rummaging.” In addition, you must have a sense of safety. Once you enter a space that you think is more dangerous, such as no one’s corner, blind spot, dark street, etc., you can hold it in your hand in advance and prepare Use it at any time.
Even in crowded public spaces, such as subways, parks, and squares, if you feel dangerous, you should prepare in advance.
Zhang Yong believes that you don't need to take out the pepper spray before you are ready. Instead, when the danger is approaching, you should unexpectedly counterattack the opponent so that the opponent has no time to deal with it, so as to buy time for yourself to escape.
But also keep a safe distance from the other party, "You can spray him, but it's harder for him to touch you."
At the same time, screaming loudly, especially for girls, is not an exaggeration. This will not only divert the attention of the other person, but also have the opportunity to let people around you hear and come to help.
"Some people worry that they are also affected by the spray, and they subconsciously close their eyes when using the spray. This is wrong." Zhang Yong said, while spraying at the other party, you should also look at the other party to confirm the effect of the spray, as long as you choose a good one that suits you. You don’t need to worry about hurting yourself if you use self-defense tools and know how to operate them correctly. "But this also highlights the importance of choosing protective equipment carefully. The best for you is the best."
After spraying the opponent, you should leave quickly, but the route to leave is also particular. If conditions permit, you can change the direction of separation, "Try to turn and run instead of running straight, otherwise, after the opponent's vision is restored, you may still run forward and catch up with you." When you can confirm 100% After being out of danger, you should choose a safe place to report to the police, and law enforcement personnel will help you deal with it. (Liu Daqi)