Firearms are not listed as an essential industry in Washington state

SEATTLE, WA – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility issued the following statement in response to news that the Trump Administration, in a favor to the gun lobby that is capitalizing on COVID-19 fears to spur firearm sales, added the firearms industry to the federal list of “Critical Coronavirus Pandemic Infrastructure” in updated guidance issued Saturday, March 28, 2020. The guidance adds, “workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges.” This change comes as Americans across the country, including many first-time buyers, are panic-buying firearms and ammunition. 

“Elected officials at every level of government should be putting the health and safety of their communities first,” said Renée Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “This decision threatens the health and safety of communities across the country by asking employees in the firearms industry to work during a global pandemic and by facilitating the panic-buying of firearms. We know that more guns means more gun violence: states with more guns see more gun deaths and the United States has more guns per capita and more gun deaths per capita than any of our peer countries. We also know that the presence of a gun in the home increases the risk of death from suicide, domestic violence, unintentional shootings, and more. These risks are only heightened among first-time gun owners with little training or experience. We are grateful that here in Washington, our elected officials have closed all non-essential businesses, including those related to the firearm industry, to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, reports of increased gun sales in Idaho and Oregon prove that Washington state’s actions alone are not enough. We need strong federal leadership to help stop the panic-buying of guns and keep Americans safe and healthy.”  

###