LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and state Gov. Gavin Newsom were sued Friday in federal court by the NRA and other groups for allegedly using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to close gun stores in violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Attorneys for the NRA, 2nd Amendment Foundation, California Gun Rights Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition filed the complaint in Los Angeles federal court, seeking to have a judge order defendants not to prevent approved shoppers from buying and selling arms in accordance with state and federal laws.
The circumstances posed by the worsening COVID-19 outbreak “are noteworthy, but do not excuse unlawful government infringements upon freedom,” according to the lawsuit.
“In fact, the importance of maintaining the ongoing activities of essential businesses for the safety, health and welfare of Californians makes plaintiffs’ point: the need for enhanced safety during uncertain times is precisely when plaintiffs and their members must be able to exercise their fundamental rights to keep and bear arms,” the complaint states.
On Thursday, Villanueva ordered all gun shops closed and sales halted during the coronavirus pandemic unless buyers are police or security personnel. The sheriff had sought to implement the closure earlier this week but said he was told by county lawyers that gun shops could be considered “essential businesses” under new rules to encourage social distancing and cut the spread of the virus. The sheriff then backtracked and suspended the closure.
Newsom’s office determined, however, that sheriffs do have the authority to make such closures.
Villanueva said only police officers and licensed security guards will be allowed to purchase weapons and ammunition at stores in county areas and cities patrolled by the sheriff’s department, including Lancaster and Palmdale.
“California’s attack on fundamental rights in times of emergency must be stopped in its tracks,” said Alan Gottlieb, founder and executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation, one of the plaintiffs.
“This case is part of our mission to win firearms freedom one lawsuit at a time. And more, the lawsuits we are filing across the country are making a large number of other states, counties and cities think twice before closing down essential gun stores,” Gottlieb said.
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Outraged Citizen says
Pathetic. Only in California’s fascist psuedodemocracy can the fundamental right to PROTECT YOURSELF be considered ‘nonessential.’ The federal government has now chimed in here, with the DHS publishing ‘advisory guidelines’ to inform Governor Hair-Gel he’s using a national emergency to wipe his pampered little bottom with our Constitution.
Guess what? HE BACKED OFF, because that’s what bullies do when they are called out.
I can’t wait to see what becomes of California’s idiotic gun laws in federal court once this is over. They were already losing, and this is a very public example of their disrespect for both 2A and the people of California.
I’ll be heading to the range shortly.
Alexis says
Minute-man vs. hundreds-of-rounds-per-minute-man.
Mark says
I thank God everyday that my family and I were able to move out of the once great state known as California.
Alby says
California is still a great place to live aside from the stupid hip hop demographics that makes this place stink at times. It seems to me that you’re an outsider looking in… considering that you still keep up with the news here. must be boring where you’re at.
Bekins Man says
How is Mississippi Mark?
Duh says
Wait until someone is trying to break into your house to get your food, then you’ll suddenly realize just how essential they are. But that type of stuff only happens to other people right? Or maybe you can ask them to wait while you call the police…
KAY says
I’d feed them
Alby says
NRA and “the second ammendment foundation” are just a bunch of premadonna beggers that capitalize on the constitution and sell overpriced crap. Americans are dumb enough to feed them when they can get a real job just like all hard working people that own guns. I guess its easier to preach NRA stuff and recieve donations. Those that lay low and respectfully go about their lives and business ventures know in their minds, “I am my own NRA and “second ammendment foundation. Don’t tread on me.” We tend to forget that the constitution was made for the independent. But to most people dont like it because its bad for business.
Hmmmm says
“premadonna beggers that capitalize on the constitution and sell overpriced crap.” Sounds like the ACLU and the NAACP.
Alby says
Dont forget the LGBTQ/BLM
Steve R. says
We are in an Emergency State. Non-essential businesses are closed throughout the state. State and local authorities have legal discretion which businesses are to be closed.
Good luck in finding a Constitutional basis to overturn this ruling. Only in the most gun-crazy, arbitrary sense are firearm sales considered essential.
AR-15 says
But liquor stores are open and essential?
Laughing says
They have alcohol, many TV shows and movies show it being used to sterilize wounds and instruments…. must be true.
KAY says
darn right
Why bother says
‘Good luck in finding a Constitutional basis to overturn this ruling.’
LOL, I needed a good laugh, thanks for that.
Clearly someone hasn’t read the Constitution. Or any understanding of what a ruling is.
Don’t worry, you have plenty of time and the 2nd Amendment is short.
Educated & you are not! says
You are a useful fool! And it is obvious you have no understanding of the second amendment junior! Clowns like you are the reason we have so many constitutional violations in this state! You don’t know your but from a hole in the ground!
Alby says
Hes probably a Lancaster cop. Thats a good laugh in itself.
Why bother says
The federal government has issued guidelines regarding the essential role of firearms businesses – and you, the dipshit governor, and his lackey sheriff are ALL IN THE WRONG.
They have now backed down.
READ THE CONSTITUTION, IDIOT.
Hopalong. says
2nd Amendment. You mean the one that begins “A well-regulated militia,…”? That one?
Laughing says
Well-regulated means something other than what you think. Honest. It helps to understand 18th century English.
That aside, the 2A could never have accounted for what we can produce today, in our homes at that. As with all other parts of the big C, it is a set of documents that can be amended/changed with enough votes. I think that is what a lot of people miss, the 2A itself is a change to the original Constitution. Education is a wonderful thing.
Hopalong says
Okay, Laughing
You tell us. What did “well-regulated” mean in 18th century American English?
Laughing says
Hopalong, since I know you will not trust my word, read this page.
https://www.constitution.org/cons/wellregu.htm
It is a short read, very concise.
There are samples of the term well regulated on many language usage sites that cover historical periods.