After nearly 20 years of working in and owning gun shops in Austin, Russ Friesz decided to look homeward for his next business venture.

Friesz moved to Cedar Park in 1998 and watched as the city grew gradually—then rapidly—around him.

“I saw a need here in Cedar Park,” he said.

Guns Warehouse opened for business on July 7, 2015, in The Railyard at 601 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 712, and recently marked its fifth anniversary.

Friesz said the move to Cedar Park was a smart one.

“We love being here. We just love Cedar Park,” he said.

On a recent Friday afternoon, the feeling seemed mutual. There were consistently six to eight customers in the store. Everyone, including Friesz and his employees, were wearing masks and observing social distancing.

Friesz said the first six months of 2020 was the busiest period in his experience as a gun shop owner.

“We’re always busy, but this is the busiest we’ve ever been,” Friesz said. “There’s been a huge uptick in home defense. There’s a huge first-time gun owner crowd, due mostly to recent events.”

Some might be surprised at who’s buying guns, according to Friesz.

“This year in particular, there are more female buyers now than in the history of firearms,” he said.

To complete a purchase, gun buyers must first pass a background check run through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, which is performed at the time of purchase and, for 80% of customers, usually takes less than 15 minutes, Friesz said.

It may take longer, up to three business days, for those with common names, he said.

Restrictions due to coronavirus concerns have created shortages in guns and ammunition, according to Friesz. However, he said Guns Warehouse has plenty of inventory for both products.

Friesz said the shop has hundreds of firearms in stock, from discreet, concealable pistols to rifles and shotguns for hunting big game.

He said pistols—for personal and home protection—are by far the biggest seller, and law enforcement make up a big portion of his clientele.