by Tanya Metaksa | Contributing editor
With more and more state governments enacting State Emergency Orders to enforce “social distancing” we have put together a listing of how states are dealing with firearms dealers and/or retailers that deal in firearms and ammunition.
As of midnight March 24, this is how the state governments have responded to the COVID-19 emergency.
California has a law that forbids “the seizure or confiscation of any firearms or ammunition from any individual who is lawfully carrying or possessing the firearms or ammunition, or authorize any order to that effect.”
However, firearms dealers and ranges have not been listed as Essential critical infrastructure workers in the Executive Order N-33-20 from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Therefore, the localities have the discretion to keep these businesses open or close them. For all California gun owners please check out this link.
In Delaware the state has published a list of essential and non-essential business. Sporting goods are in the non-essential category, while hunting and fishing is allowed.
While there is a 2007 law prohibiting the state from imposing “additional restrictions as to the lawful possession, transfer, sale, carrying, storage, display or use of firearms, ammunition or components” during a state of emergency, the Nevada governor has explicitly closed “sporting goods and hobby shops.”
In New Jersey gun shops and gun ranges have been deemed non-essential and have been asked to close. As a result, the Second Amendment Foundation and New Jersey Second Amendment Society have filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Phil Murphy and State Police Supt. Patrick Callahan.
The following states are using a federal government list of essential services which include products needed for the defense industry: Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and New York. But in New York federally licensed dealers are NOT deemed essential.
The following state governors have instituted Executive Orders to close certain business but have no explicit ban on the operation of firearms manufacturers or retailers: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has instituted a two-week “stay home” order, but essential services will be exempted. Firearms dealers are not on the initial list.
In the following states firearms dealers have either been asked to remain open or are considered essential services: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Ohio.
While Mayor LaToya Cantrell (D) of New Orleans, LA issued emergency orders that prohibited the transportation of firearms, Gov. Edwards (D) in his Proclamation Number 33 JBE 2020, has “deemed essential” firearm and ammunition suppliers.
The following states have laws that prohibit limiting the selling or transporting firearms: Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The remaining 25 states have not issued any emergency proclamations regarding the coved-19 crisis.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation has provided a chart covering all 50 states with information.
