Only "essential" businesses are allowed to remain open under Gov. Abbott's statewide shelter-in-place order to limit the spread of coronavirus. In Texas, that includes gun stores.
Fear and uncertainty about the pandemic have prompted a boom in gun and ammunition sales across the country, including in Texas and San Antonio.
According to Attorney General Ken Paxton, cities and counties can't prohibit the sale of firearms or ammunition during an emergency declaration.
Do Second Amendment rights extend to firearm purchases amid a public health crisis? How are other states handling this? Have there been legal challenges?
Why is there a run on firearms in times of turmoil? Could a spike in gun sales pose an additional public health concern? What can be done to prevent an increase in gun-related incidents?
Guests:
- Hannah Shearer, litigation director for the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
- Dan Levin, reporter for the New York Times
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*This interview was recorded on Thursday, April 9.
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