COVID-19: Threat to Second Amendment

Nothing is more important than protecting ourselves and our families -- especially during these times of uncertainty. Yet, some anti-gun lawmakers are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to deny you and your loved ones your fundamental right to self-defense and your Second Amendment rights.

These anti-gun and anti-self defense extremists deem gun stores "non-essential," they shut down issuance of firearm permits, and, in some locations, they have created extreme delays for background checks required for firearm transfers. Some jurisdictions have even put added restrictions on firearm transfers, making it all but impossible for many law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

All of this is happening against a backdrop of reported prisoner furloughs and law enforcement only arresting for the most serious of crimes.

Just like you, we know that's wrong.

That is why the NRA will keep a constant watch on what is happening nationwide and will work diligently to ensure that you are able to defend yourself and your family during these unprecedented times. In the past four decades, your NRA has led the way to pass Right-to-Carry, Castle Doctrine, and most important for the current crisis, protection against gun confiscation during declared emergencies. This time is no different.

We hope you find this website useful. Please use it to stay updated on what's happening in your town or state and across the country. If you need help or would like to alert us to something happening in your town or state, please contact us here or send us an email at [email protected].

During these difficult times, your NRA is keeping vigilant watch over your right to buy a gun and to make sure you are able to defend yourself and your family. The NRA fights for all law-abiding gun owners, whether they can afford to donate or not. We understand times are tough. But, if you have the means, please help us keep fighting against those politicians who are determined to strip away our right to self-defense and their billionaire backers. Every dollar counts. We thank you in advance.

If you are unable to help us at this time, please drop us a line and let us know how you and your family are doing. We are always grateful to hear from our members and supporters. Again, a big THANK YOU from all of us here at the NRA.

Stay safe.

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Covid-19 Articles

Click here to view your state's laws on emergency powers and firearms

State preemption laws: 22 Del. Code § 111 prohibits municipal governments from enacting a law, ordinance or regulation prohibiting, restricting or licensing the ownership, transfer, possession or transportation of firearms or components of firearms or ammunition, although they are allowed to regulate the discharge of firearms (subject to the state self-defense laws), and regulate the possession of firearms, ammunition, components of firearms, or explosives in police stations and “municipal buildings”(premises owned or leased for the conduct of official government business, but excluding parking facilities). These restrictions cannot prohibit, among others, persons carrying a concealed firearm and ammunition who hold a valid license pursuant to either § 1441 or § 1441A of Title 11 so long as the firearm remains concealed. Similar laws, 9 Del. Code § 330(c) and (d), restrict county governments.

Restrictions on firearms and ammunition in a declared state of emergency 20 Del. Code § 3115(b) authorizes the governor to make and issue “all necessary executive orders, emergency orders, proclamations and regulations.” Additional powers of the governor are outlined at 20 Del. Code § 3116, and include the power, at subsection (b)(6), to “suspend or limit the sale, dispensing or transportation of alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives, combustibles and hazardous materials.” However, pursuant to 20 Del. Code § 3116(c), the governor is prohibited from using emergency powers to “suspend or limit the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms for defense of self, family, home and State as guaranteed by article I, § 20 of the Delaware Constitution” and nothing in the emergency powers “shall prevent law-abiding citizens, during such emergency or disaster, from taking reasonable steps to safeguard their arms from destruction, looting or theft, including but not limited to their removal of such items from areas of danger to locations of relative safety.”

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