Paris store owners arm themselves following recent civil unrest and looting

Following significant civil unrest and looting that occurred last weekend in Paris, local business owners are increasingly arming themselves in anticipation of further demonstrations scheduled for this coming Saturday. Yves Gollet, a local gun store owner, reported a tenfold increase in sales, noting that his inventory of rubber-ball launchers—which can be legally purchased by adults without a permit—has completely sold out. Shopkeepers expressed deep concerns for their safety, with some reporting that they had previously been trapped inside their stores by looters.

In addition to firearms-related equipment, businesses are taking further defensive measures. Near the Gare de l'Est station, individuals such as a local optical shop owner identified by the pseudonym Mikel have resorted to purchasing pepper spray to protect against potential future break-ins. Meanwhile, along Magenta Boulevard, which saw violent activity last weekend, workers have begun securing shop windows with plywood panels. While some merchants are fortifying their premises, others are reportedly considering closing their businesses permanently or leaving the city altogether as the threat of continued vandalism persists.