by Tanya Metaksa
President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has included the firearm and ammunition industry as essential critical services that should remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic, lunching a national debate whether gun shops are “essential” businesses.
On March 28, 2020 DHS announced their Advisory Memorandum of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers. That listed the firearms industry–retailers, distributors, manufacturing and ranges—as essential services. This single act has kept the firearms industry open and running as many states have referenced the federal guidelines in their documents regarding “essential services”.
New Items as of April 2, 2020 9 am EDT
Florida: On April 1, 2020 Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a statewide order to combat Covid-19 that specifically references the Department of Homeland Security’s CiSA guideline, which includes “workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges.” The Executive Order begins on April 3, 2020.
Maine: April 1, 2020 Gov. Janet Mills has updated her statewide order to combat Covid-19 and it now references the Department of Homeland Security’s CiSA guideline, which includes “workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges.”
Massachusetts: After Gov. Charlie Baker updated the list of Covid-19 “essential services” to include “workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges,” he changed his mind and closed federally licensed firearm dealers in the state. His reason for re-closing them was “to keep as may people home as possible.”
Mississippi: On April 1, 2020Gov. Tate Reeves has issued a statewide shelter-in-place order to combat Covid-19 that references his previous Executive Order No. 1463 places firearms and ammunition suppliers and retailers under the category of Essential businesses.
Dems Delay Convention Until August
Democrats won’t be gathering in July, after all, according to breaking news Thursday.
Their 2020 convention, still scheduled in Milwaukee, Wis., will now begin on Aug. 17, according to the Washington Times.
The Democratic National Committee has cited concerns over the Coronavirus outbreak, and whether it will be lingering into the summer months.
According to Axios, “the sudden change in plans reflects the severity of this public health crisis.”
The convention had originally been scheduled July 13-16 but the re-scheduling puts it just one week ahead of the Republican National Convention, Aug. 24-27
