O’Scanlon, DiMaso & Scharfenberger: We Need Gun Stores and Others to be Permitted to Remain Open and/or Attain Essential Businesses Classification

Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R’s – Monmouth) today issued the following joint statement regarding the need to permit licensed firearm stores to remain open and other pertinent businesses to be deemed “essential” and to remain open during State Emergencies:

“We understand that this is a unique time not only in our State’s history, but our nation’s as a whole. With that comes various challenges to safeguard the public’s health. However, we should ensure that any actions taken to guarantee the safety of our residents also include upholding a citizen’s Constitutional right to protect themselves through the lawful purchasing of firearms from a licensed provider. Preserving constitutional rights, even in unprecedented situations, should be seen as a sacred obligation of government.

“These are trying times and if a lawful citizen seeks to invoke their Second Amendment Right, they should have the ability to do so. In instances of national security, people buy gold and buy guns. If a citizen wants to do so, as long as they are practicing social distancing and proper hand-washing, that shouldn’t be an issue.

“Further, we need to consider other businesses that should be deemed essential including car dealerships, which have a limited social interaction aspect, so that residents can still purchase a vehicle especially if they have an expiring lease or were dependent on now-limited public transportation options. Also, computer and technical service stores are necessary functions given the critical role they provide in maintaining the ability for medical communities, schools, and the workforce at large to operate uninhibited from the safety of their homes. If we are requiring people to telecommute and work from home–they need to be able to have their technology repaired in order to do so.”