The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearm and ammunition industry, is working hard during this national crisis to make sure that our members are allowed to stay in business, providing safety and security for Americans and crucial products for members of the law enforcement and military communities. Food, water, shelter and adequate medical care are paramount for survival, but so too is the ability for individuals to defend themselves, their families, as well as their home, business and property.
Our work is paying off on the federal level, with our successful efforts to inform the Department of Homeland Security on the essential nature of our firearm and ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors and ranges – all of which are now explicitly listed as part of our nation’s Critical Infrastructure. This list of essential workers, while non-binding, is the guidance used by states and localities in determining their own restrictions. The full guidance is available here.
As governors and local governments continue to issue and revise orders restricting non-essential businesses in their jurisdictions, NSSF is on the frontlines in every state to represent our members and educate lawmakers on the essential nature of our industry and of the Second Amendment. At a time when the right of Americans to protect themselves, their families and their property is paramount, NSSF is grateful to the governors and local officials that are putting politics aside and allowing our industry to remain open. We are tracking each state on our website here, with updates several times a day.
In order to ensure our members have the tools they need to stay open, we are also in contact with the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) System and with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to seek crucial information our members need with regard to background checks, operating under social-distancing guidelines and forms. The firearm and ammunition industry is dedicated to compliance and to keeping our communities safe. During times of crisis, our members are working diligently to meet consumer demand, while ensuring firearms do not fall into the wrong hands, and that new owners are educated on the safe use and storage of firearms.
The firearm and ammunition industry is present in every community. We know first-hand the importance of ensuring that families can focus on what’s important right now: following government guidance to help stop the spread of this deadly virus. Whether it is producing and providing firearms or ammunition to military, law enforcement and law-abiding citizens or ensuring that they have access to shooting ranges for training, the firearm industry is a critical component of our nation’s security, public safety and economic well-being. We must remain open for business.
For a full picture of NSSF’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit: www.nssf.org/covid19.
