Gun Store Exemption from Illinois Shutdown

[il.bill]

The Governor of Illinois has issued an Executive Order EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 8) that mandates people stay at home and shuts down non-essential travel and business operations, with exceptions for things designated 'Essential' - https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/21288-Gov._Pritzker_Stay_at_Home_Order.pdf .

Under SECTION 1, 12. Essential Businesses and Operations. For the purposes of this Executive Order, Essential Businesses and Operations means Healthcare and Public Health Operations, Human Services Operations, Essential Governmental Functions, and Essential Infrastructure, and the following: ...

n. Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations. Businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply other Essential Businesses and Operations with the support or materials necessary to operate, including computers, audio and video electronics, household appliances; IT and telecommunication equipment; hardware, paint, flat glass; electrical, plumbing and heating material; sanitary equipment; personal hygiene products; food, food additives, ingredients and components; medical and orthopedic equipment; optics and photography equipment; diagnostics, food and beverages, chemicals, soaps and detergent; and firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers for purposes of safety and security; ...



(BOLD and UNDERLINE emphasis added by me)

I was a bit surprised to see the 'Essential' designation included above for the State of Illinois specifically covering firearms and ammunition for purposes of safety and security. As an 01FFL Illinois Firearms Dealer it is hard for me to like Governor Pritzker, but at least there was some thought to try to include a bit of recognition to 2nd Amendment rights in this Executive Order.

I can be open for business, observing appropriate social distancing guidelines, as long as I have product to sell.

Keep safe!

 

[Obturation]

I ordered a rifle wednesday, hopefully the shop I ordered through stays open to some extent. If not it's not the end of the world.

 

[Howland937]

It's good you'll be in a position to still serve the needs of your customers, as well as have some income. I'm concerned with how "vigilant" the governor here in Ohio has been, it'll be a different story here.

 

[whughett]

I seem to read that as “essential supplies to other essential suppliers”. IE. Ammo or firearms to police or security companies. . Not private citizens.
Just my reading interpretation.

 

[buddyd157]

I seem to read that as “essential supplies to other essential suppliers”. IE. Ammo or firearms to police or security companies. . Not private citizens.
Just my reading interpretation.

that might be true, and (to me) open to interpretation, cuz "safety and security" to me would mean, home defense..

 

[AlexanderA]

I seem to read that as “essential supplies to other essential suppliers”. IE. Ammo or firearms to police or security companies. . Not private citizens.
Just my reading interpretation.

Maybe that was the intent, but if gun shops as a category are exempted, it's not possible to pick and choose their clientele.

What's important about the Illinois edict is that it sets a pattern for other states. We're going to see a host of mandated closings nationwide in the next few days.

 

[MedWheeler]

whughett writes:

I seem to read that as “essential supplies to other essential suppliers”. IE. Ammo or firearms to police or security companies. . Not private citizens.
Just my reading interpretation.

I read it just as it is written, which is that, if your business "supports" another "essential business or operation", then you can be open. There is nothing that says you are then limited to whom you can do business. If a hardware store can stay open because it offers paint or whatever, then I can walk in and buy a hammer.

 

[Kingcreek]

I never expected to see that here in Illinois.
Where are you located in Il. bill?
For purposes of safety and security. You spose governor Jelly Belly Pritzker would wave the waiting period too? Ha! Fat chance.

 

[Jim Watson]

That's a pleasant surprise. Doubt we will see it many other places.
The local range/store is responding by spreading out "Members' Day" with sale prices and free gun rental (Still have to buy their ammo for their guns, of course.) into "Members' Week." Likewise their periodic brand demo day will change Glock Day into Glock Week to keep concentration down. Not sure if I will attend, though.

 

[il.bill]

I am in St. Clair County, seven miles straight south of the Belleville Square in Smithton.

None of the news items I found did justice to reporting on the details of the Governor's Executive Order, but once I read through it on the direct link in the first post I was pleasantly surprised. I lost a significant amount of money last year upgrading to be in compliance with the new Illinois Gun Dealer Licensing Requirements. It sure seems like the state government was trying its best to put me and other small FFL Dealers out of business. It was nice to see they at least gave some thought to gun owners in this response to a bad situation that is pretty much unprecedented for almost all of us living today.

 

[BigBL87]

I really don't think they had gun owners in mind, even if that happened to be a benefit to us. I think it was mainly to be able to supply police and private security. I think we just happened to get lucky that were aren't excluded yet. Basically, I think it's a bug, not a feature. That's just based on a hunch from almost 33 years of living in Illinois.

 

[rust collector]

I have to give the devil his due. Many if not most police agencies order supplies direct from wholesalers or manufacturers. While wholesalers have been folding right and left, there are still a few out there to supply agencies if agency supply was the only consideration.

 

[whughett]

Lawyers could debate this for eons.

whughett writes:



I read it just as it is written, which is that, if your business "supports" another "essential business or operation", then you can be open. There is nothing that says you are then limited to whom you can do business. If a hardware store can stay open because it offers paint or whatever, then I can walk in and buy a hammer.

I agree in principle . I admit to much skepticism about this whole affair, my skepticism is diminishing by the day.

Lawyers could debate this for eons. Essentials would have to be very narrowly defined. Walmart supplies toilet paper to the local lock up. Essential supplies?
The local doctor buys hand sanitizer from the corner drug store, essential supplies?
I doubt any of that actually. The edict is most likely directed to whole sellers or other suppliers under contract to government agencies, hospitals, clinics and such.

You folks in Illinois can monitor them and let us know.

 

[herrwalther]

Surprisingly, gun stores in our hardest hit county have been declared non essential, and have been ordered to close until the virus blows over. And I am in a quite gun friendly state, even if the county isn't gun friendly.

 

[CDW4ME]

Logic, surprising and refreshing.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

What's important about the Illinois edict is that it sets a pattern for other states. We're going to see a host of mandated closings nationwide in the next few days.[/QUOTE]

VERY true....lots of cutting and pasting will go into this.

 

[whughett]

Well for my self I’m reaching critical stage with Toilet Paper.

Got plenty of Ammo, powder and primers however.

 

[Waveski]

Well for my self I’m reaching critical stage with Toilet Paper.

Got plenty of Ammo, powder and primers however.

If you were closer I would offer to barter.

 

[Dudedog]

Well for my self I’m reaching critical stage with Toilet Paper.

You could always use rags and handle them like you would cloth baby diapers.
I 'm sure I am not the only old fart that remembers cloth diapers

I hear newspapers work in a pinch.


On thread,
it looks like gun stores could stay open under this part as well

optics and photography equipment

 

[chicharrones]

I can be open for business, observing appropriate social distancing guidelines, as long as I have product to sell.

Excellent to hear!

How's the crowd at your gun shop?

I drove to a well known local gun shop in the city this past Friday afternoon and all the parking spots were full. Even the grass and sidewalks had vehicles on them.

Cars and trucks kept going into the parking lot and they did what I did, which was to drive away after seeing there was no parking available. I'm sure some folks circled the block waiting for a spot to open, but I didn't have the patience to wade into the crowd.

Not that I need any more guns or ammo, but I had time to kill on a rainy day.

 

[Kleanbore]

Not that I need any more guns or ammo, but I had time to kill on a rainy day.

I do hope that you will not come near any vulnerable people.

There is a reason for the lock-downs.

 

[chicharrones]

I do hope that you will not come near any vulnerable people.

There is a reason for the lock-downs.

I never got out of my car. The gun shop was crowded enough that people were waiting outside. Not sure if that was due to "social distancing" or not.

 

[mdauben]

I wonder how much practical difference it will make though? I'm already hearing of gun stores stripped of both guns and ammo by panic shoppers and distributors running out of new stock to replace what's gone.

 

[HoopedIt]

At this time we have people cruising around for no reason. nurses that are assigned a face mask -for the day-with more in a distant future. What we don’t need are more isolation patients in the hospital or regular folks hoarding masks so they can use it to go shopping...
People are not self regulating and since we have not even started this virus deal yet, I am all for doing what is needed to get people to do what they should for our community. This Is not a time to thump your chest, the hospitals are already balancing at the top of the needle... it’s mostly or your grandparents, transplant patients, cancer patients, others with multiple diagnosis’ so let’s help each other out a bit.

 

[HoopedIt]

: ...

n. Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations. Businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply other Essential Businesses and Operations with the support or materials necessary to operate, including computers, audio and video electronics, household appliances; IT and telecommunication equipment; hardware, paint, flat glass; electrical, plumbing and heating material; sanitary equipment; personal hygiene products; food, food additives, ingredients and components; medical and orthopedic equipment; optics and photography equipment; diagnostics, food and beverages, chemicals, soaps and detergent; and firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers for purposes of safety and security; ...



(BOLD and UNDERLINE emphasis added by me)

I was a bit surprised to see the 'Essential' designation included above for the State of Illinois specifically covering firearms and ammunition for purposes of safety and security. As an 01FFL Illinois Firearms Dealer it is hard for me to like Governor Pritzker, but at least there was some thought to try to include a bit of recognition to 2nd Amendment rights in this Executive Order.

I can be open for business, observing appropriate social distancing guidelines, as long as I have product to sell.

Keep safe!



[/QUOTE]

Nashville gun shops not essential enough apparently.
When the cops start getting sick though....