John–

With most of America experiencing some form of shutdown, all but the most essential businesses have had to close down. Now the NRA and the gun makers are fighting to make sure gun shops stay open no matter what.

In a new low, the NRA and its allies have pressured the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to consider gun shops essential businesses. It's shameful that the Trump administration has decided to deem gun dealers and manufacturers as essential as police, first responders, hospital workers, and other workers who are risking everything to save lives during this pandemic.

SIGN THE PETITION: Tell Trump's DHS that gun shops are not essential businesses.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the NRA has been engaged in reckless fear-mongering. It has been reported that gun sales have been going way up, along with the stock prices of the two publicly traded gun companies. A flood of guns at this precarious moment compounds the risks of death and serious injury during this incredibly stressful time. Economic declines are a major driver of suicides and domestic violence. And with many people forced to stay home, domestic violence situations can become even more dangerous. Cities across the country are already seeing dramatic spikes in domestic violence calls. When a firearm is present in a domestic violence situation, women are five times more likely to be killed.

This is just one more example of the gun lobby's penchant for using national crises as an excuse to grow corporate profits and scare people into buying more guns. We can't let the NRA's greed and extremist rhetoric prevail in this time of crisis.

Tell DHS to do the right thing and not knuckle under to NRA and gun industry pressure.

Thanks for all you do,

Rob Wilcox
Deputy Director of Policy and Strategy
Everytown for Gun Safety