Bloomberg Groups Tell Governors to 'Ignore' Trump's 'Essential' Label for Guns Stores
Ex-New York mayor's gun control organizations advise govs to shut down gun stores
© press
Two of former Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg's anti-Second Amendment groups have advised state governors to "ignore" the Trump Administration's "essential business" classification for gun stores.
Bloomberg’s gun control groups, Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety, are urging governors to flout federal measures and shut down gun stores amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released updated guidelines concerning the coronavirus shutdown restrictions.
DHS declared gun stores and manufacturers "essential businesses" nationwide.
Firearms manufacturers and retailers are now listed as essential, meaning they are to stay open and operational nationwide during a Chinese virus lockdown.
The updated rules also include exceptions for companies proving supplies for law enforcement and first responders.
© press
Listed as essential under the DHS guidelines are:
- Workers supporting the manufacturing of safety equipment and uniforms for law enforcement, public safety personnel, and first responders.
- Workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges.
However, the Bloomberg gun control groups are trying to convince governors that it is okay to ignore these guidelines.
A post on the Everytown/Moms Demand Action website claimed that keeping gun stores open is "fear-mongering" aimed at driving more gun sales during the pandemic.
“The gun lobby has fear-mongered to stoke gun sales throughout this pandemic, pedaling the lie that more guns make us safer," the post quotes Moms Demands Action’s Shannon Watts saying.
"The Trump administration just gave that myth its seal of approval, proving once again that President Trump cares more about lining gun dealers’ pockets than saving American lives.”
The post stresses that the Trump Administration guidelines are “advisory” and should “not…be considered, a federal directive or standard.”
© press
Everytown’s John Feinblatt also blasted the Trump admin as "shameful" for keeping the businesses open.
“It’s shameful and nonsensical that the Trump administration has decided to put gun dealers and manufacturers on the same level as police, first responders, hospital workers, and other Americans who are risking everything to save lives during this pandemic," Feinblatt said.
Feinblatt then went on to claim that officials should "feel free to ignore" the federal guidelines.
"Governors should feel free to ignore this irresponsible advisory and do what’s best for their residents,” he said.
