“We will be closing them, they are not an essential function,” Villanueva told Fox11 about gun shops. “I’m a supporter of the Second Amendment, I’m a gun owner myself, but now you have the mixture of people that are not formerly gun owners and you have a lot more people at home.
“And anytime you introduce a firearm in a home, from what I understand from CDC studies, it increases fourfold the chance that someone is gonna get shot,” he said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued a sweeping order requiring people to remain at home as much as possible, and it orders the closure of non-essential businesses. The order makes no reference to gun shops, but Villanueva said that such operations are not on the list of retail operations considered essential.
The sheriff said if such businesses do not close their doors, they could be cited. He noted that 1,300 deputies have been added to patrol duties.
Villanueva told the Los Angeles Times that officials in some Northern California counties last week also deemed gun stores to be non-essential and ordered their closure.
Some customers have questioned the move.
“I needed some ammo because I’m doing a little target practicing, and my wife is doing some too, because about three or four weeks ago somebody tried to break into my house,” one man told Fox11. “… There’s no threat of revolution … so what is the problem about the guns?”
Another man told the station, “In my case it doesn’t bother me, but I imagine the people that don’t own a weapon, probably it’s going to bother them. I think everybody should own at least one weapon.”
–
Sure Shot says
CDC studies regarding firearm casualties are influenced by the anti gun groups. The Sheriff has to know that.
What many of the public does not know is that Mayor Garcetti was ready to order the DWP to turn utilities off to these “non essential” businesses until counsel advised him against it. This would have been a gun banner’s dream if it went through.
Laughing says
I believe the CDC studies are nothing more than collecting information from hospitals and police reports that are available to them. How would an anti-gun group be involved?
Also how would it be a dream if the power was shut off? All that would happen is some people would get all self righteous since they are a bit on the nutty side, the owner of the store would sue, the power would be turned on with a fine to the city and county for the inconvenience, then it is business as usual.
Jim says
I do not support this
Alby says
Does Villanueva plan on shutting down the black market as well?
The Mad Hatter says
Sh*t I never used a gun store befo any ways…IED’s mo betta any ways. Lets play marshall law.
FYI says
Or a school from what I can tell……….. “L” “Loser”