Gun owners don’t need to panic after all.
Last week, the Trump Administration added firearms dealers to the critical infrastructure list. This is a federal mandate deemed by the Department of Homeland Security that includes not only firearms manufacturers, but also retail stores that sell firearms, gear, and ammunition.
This is great news in a time when many people are feeling uncertainty in many areas of their lives. Being able to protect yourself and your home shouldn’t be up for debate.
Shooting Ranges Included
Shooting ranges are also part of this critical infrastructure system that also includes things like transportation, grocery stores, and emergency services. The list is fairly extensive that you can see in its entirety on the CISA.gov website. It was updated on March 28th to include firearms and ammunition dealers under this all important heading of essential businesses that need to stay operational during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The reason shooting ranges were included as part of this deal is that people need to feel like they can practice and keep up their skills during this stressful time. It also allows new gun owners, who may have just purchased their first firearm to protect their home, in getting the training they need to feel competent and secure with their purchase.
The workers at each of these businesses are also considered essential employees, and are allowed to continue working even in states with “stay-at-home” orders.
Gun Organizations Worked Hard to Get This Passed
Gun rights and Second Amendment organizations, like the NRA and the Gun Owners of America, helped pressure the White House to make this move. It was a vital issue they felt couldn’t wait. The National Shooting Sports Foundation was also key to getting this issue looked at and decided on quickly.
Much of this initiative by the NRA was in response to some states with “stay-at-home” orders in place shutting down gun shops and ammunition stores. This was just unacceptable at a time when health and safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
Luckily, President Trump and his administration stepped up and did what was right for America. People can go to bed at night feeling like their Second Amendment rights aren’t being compromised in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when so much of our daily lives are different from how they were just a month ago.
The NRA is keeping an updated list on everything they are doing for emergency gun rights on their website in regard to this pandemic. This also includes monitoring how each individual state is responding, and calling on citizens to report in their areas if gun shops are being ordered to close.
