"It's quite difficult to sell guns. It's dangerous, but the moment you adapt to it and get rid of the fears, things will go easy and you get to enjoy the perks of the business," says Shooters Guns and Ammo Corporation - Bacolod Branch Officer-in-Charge Lea Apuya.
"I feel great and popular meeting prominent people from the rich to politicians," the 23-year-old Apuya said.
Being in the gun business, Apuya said that one could enjoy the privilege of traveling to other provinces, all expenses paid by the company.
"The dangers however in handling firearms are always there but as long as standard operating procedures are strictly observed and followed, your safety is assured," Apuya said.
What is more challenging, according to Apuya, is how you convince buyers to choose and patronized your products.
"Total familiarization of each firearm, from tip to handle down to its parts, is very important. You have to engage in research for updates of the latest gun inventions, racing ahead of competitors, striking a product edge and earn the distinction of a market leader," she said.
Also, Shooters-Bacolod Area Supervisor Imelda Quiñones said, "gun trade is not the usual business where you can easily strike a deal and close the transaction in one sitting."
"Developing a sound convincing power is the best quality that one needs in order to be effective in this business," she said.
Shooters Guns and Ammo Corp. (SGAC) is an affiliate of Shooters Arms Manufacturing, Incorporation makers of good quality firearms in the country which is being exported to the US, Europe and the Middle East.
SGAC (formerly E. De Leon Gunstore) was founded by the late Romulo B. de Leon, Sr. and his spouse Elizabeth T. de Leon. in 1958.
Later, it was acquired by their son Romulo T. de Leon III, the present chief executive officer (CEO) of SGAC who was responsible in expanding the business to a chain of new stores eventually becoming the Philippines' largest gun retail business with over 43 outlets nationwide.
