Currently, Los Angeles is forcing all nonessential businesses to close to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. As fears over the virus and the economy have gone up, so have gun sales -- an outcome which provides no short-term security and will only create long-term danger. In order to continue profiting, gun sellers across the country are fighting to keep their businesses open, which would only result in more gun purchases and more opportunities for the virus to spread.

The decision to close a gun store, designating it non-essential, is well within these officials’ rights.  They are temporary orders to address an emergency situation. There is no constitutional right to purchase a firearm immediately and, during this time where there are legitimate public safety concerns, all rights are balanced against competing interests in public safety and security. While this virus continues to spread, local and state governments are working to stop its progress by reducing the spaces in which crowds can form and where people are in close proximity to one another. This can reasonably include gun stores, where store owners must spend extended amounts of time with purchasers, run background checks and verify their identification. This is not the same as picking up a pizza or dropping off dry cleaning. Help us push Los Angeles and San Diego to make the same decision in the interest of both public health and gun safety.