Are Gun Stores Essential During COVID-19 Pandemic?

By Danielle Ong First Posted: Mar 28, 2020 07:10 AM EDT

A man holding a semi-automatic handgun

(Photo : Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

More than 597,179 people are infected with the new coronavirus worldwide, with more than 104,142 cases in the United States alone. As health officials and government agencies race to slow the spread of the virus in the country, more than 200 million people find themselves hunkered down inside their homes.

Under the new decree, only "essential" businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and hardware stores will remain open. However, some states have allowed other shops to remain open despite the debate over its necessity during a pandemic.

In some parts of the country, city leaders have put a ban on gun sales. Officials have also stopped performing background checks on people applying for concealed carry permits.

This movement has sparked criticism from gun rights advocates.

Michael Cargill, an advocate and owner of Central Texas Gun Works in Austin, believes Americans should be allowed to buy firearms for situations where they have to be "their own first responders." He also believes the citizens should be given the means to protect their families in this time of crisis.

Firearm sales have surged in recent weeks. Background checks have reached record numbers in the first two months likely due by a presidential election year. Gun and ammo sales jumped since the coronavirus outbreak, with some gun shops seeing long waiting lines.

Background checks on March 16 saw an increase of over 300% when compared to the same date the previous year. The process, which normally took minutes, has taken far longer, causing a backlog of about 80,000.

Gun dealers are allowed to sell the firearm to potential buyers should background checks take longer than three business days. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, an American trade association for firearms, advised gun dealers not to close the sale if they have concerns about the buyer.

Some gun-control advocates also support federally licensed firearms dealers to remain open. They said potential buyers could use websites or private sales that don't perform background checks should the state force the gun shops to shut their doors.

Other gun-control advocates are concerned about a large number of untrained gun owners. They are also worried some might sell their firearms privately a few months from now, making it harder for authorities to trace firearms used in a crime.

Local government leaders have issued a proclamation which restricts sales of firearms and ammunition in some cities. Several states have declared that gun stores were not among businesses deemed essential.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said gun stores can stay open amid the COVID-19 outbreak, concluding municipal and county authorities may not use emergency powers to restrict gun sales.

Under the state's local government code, municipal governments do not possess the power to regulate the transfer, possession, ownership, or sale of firearms.

Texas, the country's second-largest state by population, has yet to declare a statewide lockdown order. However, some of the state's largest jurisdictions, including Travis county in Austin and El Paso county, have imposed stay-at-home orders.

On Wednesday, Texas State Representative Dustin Burrows said it is important for US residents to have access to tools of self-protection and "keeping your property safe" during times of emergency.