WTF!
The Trump administration designated the firearms industry as essential “critical infrastructure” over the weekend following lobbying and digital ad campaigns by gun rights groups.
The guidance lists “workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges” as essential.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency added the firearms industry to the list of “essential” sectors on Saturday. That addition allows many gun stores and ammunition dealers to remain open as other businesses shut their doors. The advisory was issued as a guide after several states such as California, New Jersey and Massachusetts cited lack of a federal directive on what could be deemed as essential businesses. Since the list is advisory, states vary on how closely they follow the guidance.
Days earlier, a number of leading gun advocacy groups lobbied President Donald Trump’s administration. The advisory came a day after Gun Owners of America sent a letter to the DHS requesting that the firearms dealers be deemed essential critical infrastructure.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, also lobbied DHS about the guidance, sending a letter noting that it “worked closely” with the Trump administration to ensure the inclusion of firearms among essential critical services.
“Many local law enforcement departments rely on their community’s firearm retailers. Without these critical services, police are hampered in their ability to preserve safety and order,” the association said in a statement. The group added that it had seen an “unprecedented surge” in demand for firearms and ammunition in mid-March.
Several gun groups, including the National Rifle Association, Second Amendment Foundation and California Gun Rights Foundation, filed a lawsuit Friday against the state of California for closing down gun retailers as people were asked to stay home.