By Dave Workman | Senior Editor
An effort to support small business in Massachusetts during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak excludes gun stores, along with “adult entertainment” and marijuana shops, leading Bay State gun rights advocates calling foul.
The announcement came from Gov. Charlie Baker, who said the program will “provide financial relief to Massachusetts businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.” There are some exceptions and among them are gun stores. Also come the pot shops, companies involved in real estate investment and multi-level marketing.
Jim Wallace, executive director of the Massachusetts Gun Owners Action League (GOAL), told TGM that “a lot of cities and towns have suspended processing firearm licenses.”
Apparently this is because it’s a very close one-on-one process, he suggested.
Elsewhere around the country, some stores have closed their doors for the duration, which could continue for a few weeks.
Gov. Baker contended the support effort is being conducted to help small businesses during the current crisis.
Under the provisions of the assistance program, which is called the Small Business Recovery Loan Fund, $10 million has been set aside to “provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits.”
But that doesn’t include gun stores, which immediately raised alarms with Wallace and GOAL.Wallace said he has contacted the governor’s office for an explanation.
“Of all the weird things to weed out,” he said.
Like the rest of the country, there’s been a rush on firearms and ammunition in Massachusetts during the current coronavirus scare. As a result, some gun stores have sold out of inventory as alarmed citizens have been hoarding ammunition, as they did a couple of years ago.
