I'd like to know whether Bill Barr agrees with Governor Charlie Baker (R-MA) that firearms are "non-essential," and therefore it's okay to shut down MA gun shops for the duration of the current health crisis. (Or until he fells like opening them up again.) I had always thought that self-defense, and the defense of one'a family and home are most essential activities designed to preserve our constitutional rights of life, liberty, and property, which are powers reserved to the people individually that may not be infringed. It appears to me that the Second Amendment testifies to this. This is the essence of the constitutional recognition of our right to keep and bear arms. Ultimately, the possession of firearms (and ammo) is a public safety measure, particularly at a time of severe social dislocation and unrest.
Or so I have been taught to believe. Is this no longer true?
The DoJ issued a statement not long ago that firearm stores are essential. You can look for it.