By: Teresa Mull

Despite the attempts of anti-gun governors and local authoritarians to shut down gun stores during the coronavirus crisis, the federal government has, to its credit, stood by the Second Amendment. GPM reported two weeks ago that the federal government had deemed gun stores as “essential” businesses that are permitted to remain open during the nationwide coronavirus shutdown.

Now, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is encouraging gun stores to get creative with their sales. CNN reports:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced on Friday that federally licensed firearms businesses could carry out transactions through drive-up windows and temporary booths in their parking lots or other parts of their property. Those transactions include verifying customer identity, completing paperwork, accepting payment and delivering firearms and ammunition.

The announcement says specifically:

"An FFL may carry out the requested activities through a drive-up or walk-up window or doorway where the customer is on the licensee’s property on the exterior of the brick and mortar structure at the address listed on the license.

"An FFL may also carry out the requested activities from a temporary table or booth located in a parking lot or other exterior location on the licensee’s property at the address listed on the license, but any such activities must occur in a location where the licensee has the authority to permit ATF’s entry for inspection purposes.”

As gun sales surge, celebrities, not to be overshadowed by real news, are commenting on the American appreciate of firearms. Actress Alyssa Milano, a proud Joe Biden supporter, tweeted, “Americans bought over 2 million firearms in March of 2020, over a million more than this time last year. We have to keep each other safe by social distancing and washing our hands and not bringing dangerous firearms into our homes,” she wrote, adding the hashtags, #StopTheCoronavirusGunSurge and #NoRA.”

Fellow actor James Wood responded perfectly to Milano’s meaningless commentary, writing:

Teresa Mull is editor of Gunpowder Magazine. Contact her at [email protected].