>> reporter: desiree is a single mother of three. >> i've had multiple conversations with women who have never shot guns who are looking at buying one to protect themselves. throughout this 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. the police chief. >> people are on edge and extra cautious, which is good. that's what we're asking people to do. >> reporter: being extra cautious now means owning a gun for this woman. >> 9-1-1 is not that quick of a response, and in 2.5 seconds they're not going to be there. >> reporter: gun and ammunition manufacturing is a $13.5 billion a year business in the u.s. according to fbi data, the number of requests for applications for background checks to buy guns spikes after high profile mass shootings like this one. >> carter evans at the site...