You don't get alot of hurricanes in Missouri, but am sure that you have seen how disasters can bring out the best and worst in people. Until this law went into effect, it was common for merchants to mark up the cost of necesities like batteries,bags of ice and canned food - in advance of the storm, products already on their shelves- no additional expense there.
Transportation companies are also not allowed to gouge- therefore, the merchant is not paying more, and if there is a huge demand which makes the price rise- such as with plywood and generators, then the merchant is allowed to pass those costs along.
Until this law went into effect, it was common for merchants to mark up the cost of necesities like batteries,bags of ice and canned food - in advance of the storm, products already on their shelves- no additional expense there. Meaning people who didn't really need the stuff and were just stocking up could clear the shelves, while the people who might really need it and would be willing to pay more were SOL.
You are a closet Communist. You do not believe in free enterprise or private property.