Editorial

RICAGV on Department of Homeland Security deeming gun stores “essential”

We would point out that the First Amendment allows for the ‘right of the people peaceably to assemble’, and yet in this time of crisis, that right has been temporarily suspended without controversy. Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has signed many Executive Orders to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including the closure of all non-essential retail businesses. Essential

Rhode Island News: RICAGV on Department of Homeland Security deeming gun stores “essential”

We would point out that the First Amendment allows for the ‘right of the people peaceably to assemble’, and yet in this time of crisis, that right has been temporarily suspended without controversy.


Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has signed many Executive Orders to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including the closure of all non-essential retail businesses. Essential retail businesses under this order include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, banks, among others. Unfortunately, gun stores were also included on this list after the pro-gun lobby appealed to the Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security about the need to uphold the Second Amendment. We would point out that the First Amendment allows for the ‘right of the people peaceably to assemble’, and yet in this time of crisis, that right has been temporarily suspended without controversy. In this most uncertain time, we call on Rhode Island’s gun and ammunition retail shops to put the health of their customers, and all Rhode Islanders, first by temporarily closing their stores, or at the very least instituting a ‘by appointment only’ schedule, throughout the remainder of this pandemic.

See: Gun stores are considered “essential businesses” but bookstores are not?

It is equally important for the public to know that possessing a gun in your home can contribute to this already dangerous public health crisis because it increases the risk of death by suicide, homicide, or accidental detonation. Yet the pro-gun lobby is baiting people with fear that they need a gun to protect themself from a virus. This kind of fear-mongering adds to the anxiety that people are currently dealing with and the presence of a gun could lead to a horrible conclusion.

We are especially concerned because Rhode Island still allows the sale of military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines of over ten rounds, and because our state does not have any safe gun storage laws. This is especially troubling as we witness people with no firearms training panic-buying guns and ammunition. There has also been an uptick in ‘ghost gun’ sales, which is unfortunate as the General Assembly was about to pass a ban on 3-D printed and ghost guns before COVID-19 prompted the State House’s closure.

Until the coronavirus has run its course and the General Assembly can safely reconvene, it is essential that we do everything we can to keep all Rhode Islanders safe from the trauma, injuries and deaths caused by guns.