Gun Industry Gets Essential Designation, to Remain Open During Coronavirus Shutdowns

March 30, 2020, 12:25 p.m. ·

1_3.png

The Department of Homeland Security has listed gun retailers, distributors and shooting ranges as essential during the coronavirus crisis. The designation will allow them to remain open during shutdowns.


Latest news & resources: netNebraska.org/coronavirus

Mark Oliva is the Director of Public Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation and his group lobbied DHS to add the gun industry to the list.

“As this emergency was starting to rise, we as the industry's trade association, reached out to the White House and to the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that firearms manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and ranges would be included on their critical infrastructure list that these are essential services,” Oliva said.

Oliva says it was essential for these places to stay open to ensure the 2nd amendment right of all Americans. He says it’s important for gun ranges to be included in the list as it’s a good place for new gun owners to take their firearms to practice.

“That face-to-face interaction, that discussion, that instruction on how to safely store a firearm and how to hold it, how to manipulate it, and how to engage the safety mechanism is critical,” Oliva said.

Oliva says it’s also essential for these businesses to stay open because domestic firearms manufactures make the weapons and bullets used by the American military.

Latest news & resources: netNebraska.org/coronavirus