Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed Executive Order 2020-12 recognizing gun stores as “essential businesses” and exempting them from a coronavirus shutdown.
The order designates “firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers” as essential, noting their role in “safety and security.”
On March 21, 2020, Breitbart News reported that Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker (D) labeled gun stores as “essential businesses” in his shutdown order. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) likewise recognized that gun stores are “essential” and exempted them from a shutdown.
On March 24, 2020, Breitbart News reported that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) revisited his shutdown order, recognizing gun dealers as “life-sustaining” and exempting them from closure.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) mandated a shutdown in his state that resulted in the closure of gun stores and the suspension of the state’s background check system, thereby ending gun sales in the state at this time.
AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins, a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him at awrhawkins@breitbart.com. You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange.