Gun Sales Soar as Crime Waves Hit LA

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.—A gun store owner in Beverly Hills is seeing a growing number of customers lately—from celebrities to university students—who are terrified by the increase of crime in the area. Elias Chalhub, owner of Bear Arms Defense, said his shop stays busy from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. “It’s been a steady increase since the summer,” Chalhub told The Epoch Times. “There’s a palpable fear of violent crime … people are in the store every day, all day, looking for home defense weapons and business defense weapons.” Locals are “absolutely terrified” by the uptick in robberies targeting wealthy and celebrity residents, according to Chalhub. The city was also shaken after the December shooting death of philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, wife of famed music executive Clarence Avant, who was killed during a home invasion robbery. Criminals have also targeted shops in the area with “smash-and-grab” burglaries. “I’ve lived in …

Originally appeared on The Epoch Times

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