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 law: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-409.40 states that the entire field of regulation of firearms is preempted from regulation by local governments, except as provided in that section, and that “no county or municipality, by ordinance, resolution, or other enactment, shall regulate in any manner the possession, ownership, storage, transfer, sale, purchase, licensing, taxation, manufacture, transportation, or registration of firearms, firearms ammunition, components of firearms, dealers in firearms, or dealers in handgun components or parts.” Exceptions include regulating by zoning, regulating the transport, carrying, or possession of firearms by the local government’s own employees, and under subsection (f), the exercise of powers provided by law in declared states of emergency. A separate law, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-415.23, addresses preemption and regulation of legally carried concealed handguns.

Restrictions on firearms and ammunition in a state of emergency: a state of emergency may be declared by either the Governor or by a resolution of the General Assembly, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.20. Under § 166A-19.22, a municipality or county may issue its own declaration of state of emergency for that locality.

Municipalities and counties may enact ordinances to deal with states of emergency, as authorized by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.31. These include the prohibitions and restrictions on the “possession, transportation, sale, purchase, storage, and use of gasoline, and dangerous weapons and substances,” under § 166A-19.31(b)(4), but this specifically “does not authorize prohibitions or restrictions on lawfully possessed firearms or ammunition.” The term “firearm” means “handgun, shotgun, or rifle which expels a projectile by action of an explosion.”

The Governor’s powers during a state of emergency include those listed at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.30. If the Governor determines that local control of an emergency “is insufficient to assure adequate protection for lives and property” or that the capability of local authorities to cope is otherwise impaired, the Governor may impose any of the types of prohibitions and restrictions the local government could have imposed. Otherwise, with the concurrence of the Council of State, the Governor has a general power to “perform and exercise such other functions, powers, and duties as are necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population.”

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The Washington Free Beacon

Monday, April 20, 2020

First-Time Buyers Explain Why Coronavirus Drove Them to Gun Stores in Record Numbers

Aaron Eaton learned how to shoot in the Army back in 2006 but holstered a pistol for the ...