Trump declares gun shops and ranges as "essential"!!

[Trey Veston]

Just saw this on another forum...

https://www.thegunwriter.com/25025/...anufacturers-and-ranges-essential-businesses/

Lee’s note: This just in — the Department of Homeland Security has classified firearms manufacturers, ranges and retail stores as “essential businesses,” which cannot be closed during the coronavirus emergency.

This just in from the National Shooting Sports Foundation:

NSSF Thanks Trump Administration for Industry’s Critical Infrastructure Designation
Department of Homeland Security includes firearm manufacturing, distribution, retail and ranges as essential critical services.
NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearm and ammunition industry, is grateful for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) inclusion of the firearm industry’s manufacturing, distribution, retail and range businesses as essential critical services that should remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. NSSF has been working closely with the Trump Administration and DHS to convey the important role the firearm and ammunition industry performs for national security, public safety, and the ability for continued exercise of individual constitutional liberties and self-protection.

“We are deeply appreciative to the Trump Administration and Department of Homeland Security for recognizing the vital role our industry fulfills in our nation,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for NSSF. “We have seen over the past week hundreds of thousands, even millions of Americans choosing to exercise their right to keep and bear arms to ensure their safety and the safety of loved ones during these uncertain times. Americans must not be denied the ability to exercise that right to lawfully purchase and acquire firearms during times of emergency. This guidance from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is crucial to governors and local officials as they craft the orders to preserve public health.”

The firearm industry continues to provide small arms to the U.S. military, even during times of crisis. The national security mission remains and U.S. Armed Forces, with rare exception, rely upon domestically manufactured small arms. Most law enforcement departments rely on local firearm retailers to supply them with their firearms to perform the critical duty of providing for community safety. Law-abiding individuals also rely on these retailers for the ability to purchase their firearms and ammunition. It is also where retailers are able to explain the responsibilities of safe firearm ownership and storage and new gun owners are able to access ranges to learn to safely handle their firearms.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

 

[Trey Veston]

Guaranteed WA Governor Jay Inslee and his evil henchman, Attorney General Bob Ferguson will sue the Trump Administration over this, like nearly everything else.

Great news for gun owners in states where politicians are using this as an excuse to target firearms owners.

 

[herrwalther]

I wonder which areas will actually go along with this? It is going to be a very interesting week.

 

[GEM]

Let's read this: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) executes the Secretary of Homeland Security’s authorities to secure critical infrastructure. Consistent with these authorities, CISA has developed, in collaboration with other federal agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector, an “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” advisory list. This list is intended to help State, local, tribal and territorial officials as they work to protect their communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security. Decisions informed by this list should also take into consideration additional public health considerations based on the specific COVID-19-related concerns of particular jurisdictions.

This list is advisory in nature. It is not, nor should it be considered, a federal directive or standard. Additionally, this advisory list is not intended to be the exclusive list of critical infrastructure sectors, workers, and functions that should continue during the COVID-19 response across all jurisdictions. Individual jurisdictions should add or subtract essential workforce categories based on their own requirements and discretion.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS

• Public, private, and voluntary personnel (front line and management) in emergency management, law enforcement, fire and rescue services, emergency medical services, and private security, to include public and private hazardous material responders, air medical service providers (pilots and supporting technicians), corrections, and search and rescue personnel.
• 911 call center employees and Public Safety Answering Points who can’t perform their duties remotely.
• Fusion Center employees.
• Workers – including contracted vendors -- who maintain, manufacture, or supply equipment and services supporting law enforcement emergency service and response operations (to include electronic security and life safety security personnel).
• Workers supporting the manufacturing of safety equipment and uniforms for law enforcement, public safety personnel, and first responder.
• Workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges.
• Public agency workers responding to abuse and neglect of children, elders, and dependent adults.
• Workers who support weather disaster / natural hazard mitigation and prevention activities.
• Security staff to maintain building access control and physical security measures.

This is slightly different from the editorial comment that they cannot be shut down. If I'm wrong and there is a directive with force of law or executive action, let me know, please.

 

[Trey Veston]

Thought it was good news. I guess not. Tough crowd here.

 

[FFGColorado]

Thought it was good news. I guess not. Tough crowd here.

I EDC everyday, all day but this 'edict' is a political statement and largely unenforceable.