Judge Rules New York Firearms Stores Deemed Non-Essential Businesses

by
posted on July 15, 2020
nyskyline.jpg

Photo credit: Chris Schippers via Pexels

A federal judge dismissed a recent legal challenge to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s declaration of firearms stores as “non-essential” businesses during the COVID-pandemic on July 8. 

U.S. District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn, a Bill Clinton appointee, wrote in his decision that “[the Cuomo Administration] made a policy decision about which businesses qualified as ‘essential’ and which did not. In the face of a global pandemic, the court is loath to second-guess those policy decisions.”

Further in his decision, Kahn wrote, “Having found that the burden of plaintiffs’ Second Amendment rights is insubstantial, the court has no need to apply any form of heightened scrutiny to the executive orders.”

We know, however, that during trying and tumultuous times, the right to keep and bear arms is even more essential than during times of ease and relative calm. This is the very reason that millions of Americans are becoming gun owners for the first time this year; in fact, just last month, the number of background checks called into the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) was the largest of any month in the history of the database. It’s clear that more and more Americans are realizing just how invaluable their rights are.

In March, the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security issued official guidelines for industry closuresthat included gun stores and shooting ranges as essential businesses. This means that, if your local firearms store, shooting range or gun manufacturer is closed, it isn’t because of the federal government. Rather, it is because of anti-Second Amendment politicians like Gov. Cuomo.

For updates on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected your Second Amendment rights throughout the country, visit nraila.org/coronavirus for updates.

Latest

pistols in holsters
pistols in holsters

Carrying In Today’s America

A civil-rights movement is well underway to take back this freedom, but there is still much to be done.

New Data Shows Americans Continue to Carry Concealed

It’s clear that Americans are choosing to exercise their constitutional rights.

Can State Semi-Automatic Rifle Bans Last?

Such bans openly defy U.S. Supreme Court precedents while pretending to uphold them.

From the Editor | The Importance of This Moment

After four years of enduring President Joe Biden, the American electorate voted for a course correction.

Standing Guard | NRA Members Were The Difference

The Second Amendment was effectively on the ballot last month and NRA members stepped up to help deliver an important victory.

President’s Column | Make Your Voice Heard: Vote For Your Board Of Directors

A strong and involved NRA membership is the best defense against gun-control forces.



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.