Department of Homeland Security released updated guidelines naming gun manufacturers and retailers as essential on Saturday, which means they are to stay open and operational nationwide during a Chinese coronavirus shutdown.

The FBI ran more than 3.7 million background checks for people attempting to purchase guns in March, the most in a single month, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread in the United States. https://t.co/51OWhPjdKW

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) April 3, 2020

16 million 2 years ago. https://t.co/0XD5pq7ndX

— Corn Teen Bishop (@BishopTomBishop) April 3, 2020

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NEWS: As NRA is actively fighting gun store closures across the country, President @realdonaldtrump’s newly-updated DHS guidance echoes what the NRA is arguing in court: that firearms and ammunition retailers are "critical infrastructure." Read more, link in bio!

A post shared by NRA (@nationalrifleassociation) on Mar 29, 2020 at 11:16am PDT

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🇺🇸Second Amendment Victory!🇺🇸President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security released updated guidelines naming gun manufacturers and retailers as essential on Saturday, which means they are to stay open and operational nationwide during a Chinese coronavirus shutdown. The DHS guidelines list as essential: “Workers supporting the manufacturing of safety equipment and uniforms for law enforcement, public safety personnel, and first responders. Workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges.” The Second Amendment Foundation’s Alan Gottlieb commented on the DHS declaration, saying, “Every freedom loving American owes President Trump and his administration a very big thank you for protecting our Second Amendment Rights. This is another Trump promise made and promise kept.” The DHS declaration comes just days after Governor Phil Murphy (D) laughed in the face of a man who expressed concern that the statewide shutdown in New Jersey had put an end to gun sales, thereby eliminating the ability to get a firearm for self-defense. BY: @awr_hawkins

A post shared by Breitbart (@wearebreitbart) on Mar 28, 2020 at 7:17pm PDT

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Texas cities can't force gun shops to close by wielding emergency powers that let them curb the operations of other businesses to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a legal opinion from the state's attorney general. ⁣ ⁣While state law allows local governments “to control movement within their region during a disaster," local regulation of the sale, possession and ownership of firearms is specifically prohibited, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. ⁣ ⁣"Under our laws, every Texan retains their right to purchase and possess firearms," he added. ⁣ ⁣Paxton's opinion responded to a query from State Representative Dustin Burrows of Lubbock earlier this week asking whether gun retailers were considered an essential business, a designation that allows some businesses to remain open when others are shut. Some areas, he noted, hadn't deemed the stores essential, a move that could result in their closure.

A post shared by Fox Business (@foxbusiness) on Mar 28, 2020 at 9:00am PDT